Types Of Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is an ugly word for an ugly condition. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, with 3,000 cases a year reported in the U.S. Although the most common form of Mesothelioma the pleural Mesothelioma affects the membranes surrounding the lungs. This type of cancer is entirely different from lung cancer. It is a rare and usually far more deadly form of cancer than lung cancer. Also, it is unrelated to smoking; it is caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibers.

Asbestos, a mineral that was widely used throughout during the period of 1900in nearly every industry forms long fibers that can be woven or mixed into materials. When asbestos is broken or crushed the dust and fibers mix in the air and land on surfaces nearby. People who breathe in or swallow asbestos dust are at risk developing Mesothelioma.

There are three types of Mesothelioma classified according to cancer stages.

Pleural Mesothelioma forms lining around the lungs. It usually begins in the outer membrane of one lung and may progress to both lungs and other organs. The symptoms of pleural Mesothelioma include a dry cough, chest pain, and pleural effusion.

Pleural effusion is the collection of fluid among the tissue covering the chest wall, the diaphragm, and the tissue covering the lungs. Normally there is a small amount of fluid in that area to make it easy for your lungs to move while breathing. A person with Mesothelioma, the cells that usually absorb excess fluid don't work right and the fluid builds up causing pain, cough, and difficulty breathing.

Some of the symptoms that are commonly associated with pleural Mesothelioma include: persistent coughing, difficulty swallowing, facial swelling, weight loss, fever, rasping, and blood vomit. Some patients may also experience shortness of breath whether they are being active or when they are at rest. This can be caused by the thickening of the pleura due to the spread of the tumor. The thicker the pleura gets the less space the lungs have to function properly. Hence breathing begins to be affected. The treatment includes surgery chemotherapy and radiation.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma forms lining of the abdominal and pelvic cavities called the peritoneum. About 10% of Mesothelioma cases swallow asbestos fibers which cause changes in the peritoneum development. The symptoms of peritoneal Mesothelioma include swollen and painful abdomen, high temperature, bowel problems, and problems with urination, nausea, and vomiting.

The treatment depends upon a number of factors. Doctors once diagnose will make a recommendation based upon details such as the extent of the cancer and how advanced it is; patient’s general condition and health, past medical history of the patient, and the patient’s age.

Pericardial Mesothelioma affects the pericardium, which forms thin tissue lining around the heart. It's a rare type of Mesothelioma accounting for less than 1% of reported cases. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, and palpitations.

Later-stage symptoms for all types of Mesothelioma include sudden weight loss without any other explanation, spitting up blood and sputum, problems swallowing, and hoarseness
It can occasionally be treated with surgery. However, the nature of this cancer is that it is very advanced by the time that it is diagnosed.

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