Variants of Mesothelioma

 Information on malignant tumors, peritoneum & pericardial mesothelioma

It is important to pause and explain how mesotheliomas can differ from each other and which are more serious than others. As opposed to malignant pleural mesothelioma (MM), benign mesothelioma (BM) is one third (1/3) as common and curable in many cases. Whereas MM is intrusive throughout the body, BM is a local tumor affecting only a small region or organ of the body. In many cases it does not cause death as MM does. While tumors will still develop they do not spread to other organs but instead grow around the pleural area.

In addition, women are more susceptible to contract BM, suggesting there is no link to asbestos exposure in this case. This is because asbestos related jobs are practically always held by males. As a result, males are more likely to have MM than females. In general, mesothelioma is rare in children. Although cases have been recorded where young children have contracted mesothelioma. BM is most common between the ages of 50-70. Once again this observation affirms the 20 to 30 year window that exists. As opposed to popular belief, smoking is not a factor in meothelioma. It has not been proved to contribute to the development of MM or BM. Symptoms attributed especially to BM are chest pain, coughing, difficulty breathing and fever. A chest x –ray performed by a skilled physician would distinguish a benign from a malignant tumor. BM is generally curable as the tumor can be removed to unblock the pathway of the lung/pleura.

Secondly, mesothelioma can also frequently occur in the peritoneum. The peritoneum is defined as the serous membrane lining the interior of the abdominal cavity and covering the surfaces of abdominal organs. Peritoneal mesothelioma (PM) is therefore a cancer that affects the abdominal lining in the same manner that pleural affects the lungs. This type of cancer occurs frequently in asbestos workers with a long history of exposure. Its occurrence is a close second to MPM. It is therefore extremely important to mention it when speaking of asbestos related tumors. The main symptoms specific to PM are abdominal pain and physical abdominal bloating. Hypoglycemia can also frequently occur as a result of PM and MPM alike.

A cat scan has been found to be very useful in the diagnosing process for these cancers. For many patients PM has been found to be curable after tumor removal. Surgery is necessary in most cases and has alone produced many survivors. It is recommended when the tumor begins to cause major blockage of the abdomen and rectal regions.

In addition to surgery, radiation therapy is often prescribed for patients with PM. While radiation may reduce many of the painful symptoms it has not been proved as an effective treatment method. In other words, the reported survival rates after therapy have been conflicting and controversial to say the least. Combination therapy, which will be discussed in the section on treatment, is the optimal treatment option.

A third variation of the tumor is pericardial mesothelioma. The pericardium is defined as a double layered serosa enclosing the heart and forming its superficial layer. When a tumor invades this area of the body it heavily interrupts the function of the heart and the surrounding cardiac region. The heart is not able to function properly as the tumor invades this area and cripples the vital functions that are necessary for pumping blood. This protective layer around the heart encases it just as pleura does for the lung and shelters it from harmful invasion from other parts of the body. It is easy to see how a tumor in this area of the body could cause extreme damage and possible death to a patient.  The pericardial variation occurs less frequently than the pleural and peritoneal variations. Most of the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are similar to those of pleural and peritoneal. A chest x ray can also detect the alterations in cardiac function as a result of asbestos exposure in this particular tumor.In addition to the lung, abdomen and heart, mesothelioma has also been detected in the reproductive organs of males and females although the number of cases recorded per year are much less. It is likely in the future with the peak of the disease still to come that we will witness a rise in the number of locations where the tumor is found to dwell.