Malignant Mesothelioma
What Is Malignant Mesothelioma?
Malignant Mesothelioma (sometimes mispelled as mesotheleoma) is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. It is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the sac lining of the chest (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). Virtually all cases of malignant mesothelioma are attributable to asbestos exposure.
Technically, tumors of the pleura or peritoneum can be benign (non-cancerous tumors). However, nearly all tumors of these linings, both known as mesothelium, are cancerous (or "malignant"). While cancerous mesothelioma is known as malignant mesothelioma, it is often shortened to simply mesothelioma because benign mesothelioma is so rare.
An x-ray is often the first indication of malignant mesothelioma. Although malignant mesothelioma typically cannot be seen on an x-ray, the tumor often causes a pleural effusion, or fluid collection between the lung and chest wall. This build up generally causes shortness of breath (referred to as dyspnea) and should be followed up on. In order to confirm a malignant mesothelioma diagnosis, a biopsy or operation is usually required where a small amount of tissue is removed and tested. Like most cancers, malignant mesothelioma is best treated when it is diagnosed early.
Malignant mesothelioma progresses through stages. In the early stages, the cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity, the lining of the lung or the lining of the abdominal cavity. In the advanced stages of malignant mesothelioma, the cancer spreads beyond the lining of the chest or abdomen to lymph nodes, into the chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm, or abdominal lining. Eventually the mesothelioma may spread to distant organs or tissues.
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