Malignant Mesothelioma Explained
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is diagnosed in approximately 3,000 people each year. The disease usually affects the pleura, which is the membrane that lines the chest cavity and the lungs. It may also affect the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity, and (very rarely) the pericardium, which is the lining around the heart. The pleura, peritoneum and pericardium each have two layers, which are separated by a lubricating fluid that allows the internal organs to move easily. About 70 percent of all cases of malignant mesothelioma can be attributed to exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that is used in a variety of industries. A small percentage of the remaining cases have been linked to exposure to a particular type of radiation or to a mineral silicate called zeolite. In some cases, the cause is unknown.
People exposed to asbestos for a long time, or exposed to high levels, have an increased risk of developing malignant mesothelioma, but even people exposed for a very short time can develop this disease. Mesothelioma may take a minimum of 15 years (typically 20 to 40 years) after asbestos exposure to surface. The average age at diagnosis is 50 to 70 years. More men than women are affected, probably because men are more likely to have worked in the industries that use asbestos.
Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms
About 90 percent of patients who are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma have chest pain and shortness of breath as the first symptoms of the disease. These symptoms are generally caused by pleural effusion (collection of fluid in the chest), not by mesothelioma itself. Individuals with mesothelioma that originates in the peritoneum (abdominal lining) may have abdominal pain and swelling due to an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Other possible symptoms include fever, sweating, cough, fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
Three Types of Malignant Mesothelioma
- Epithelial
- Sarcomatoid
- Mixed
The epithelial type is the most common. All three types have the same treatment options.
