Mesothelioma rates continue to rise over the past 20 years. However, it is still considered a rare form of cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Asbestos is still a major risk factor of developing mesothelioma, and contributes to 70-80 percent of all cases.
Mesothelioma Types
There are five types of mesothelioma. Four were malignant and the fifth type is mesothelioma Benin, which is a non-cancerous condition.
Pleural Mesothelioma - develops in the pleura, lining of the lungs. Is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma. 75% of cases, pleural mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma - develops in the peritoneal membrane lining the abdominal cavity. 20% of cases, peritoneal mesothelioma.
Pericardial Mesothelioma - develops in the pericardium, the lining of the heart. 5% of cases are pericardial meosthelioma.
Testicular mesothelioma - develops in the tunica vaginalis testis. It is the rarest form of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Symptoms can develop within 20-50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. Symptoms often appear less severe circumstances that may lead to delays in diagnosis. mesothelioma symptoms depend on the type of mesothelioma.
Pleural chest pain symptoms - shortness of breath, persistent cough, fatigue, lumps under the skin of the chest
Peritoneal symptoms - abdominal pain and swelling, bowel obstruction, unexplained weight loss, nausea, fatigue, night sweats, anemia, diarrhea, constipation
Pericardial symptoms - fatigue, nausea, night sweats, chest pain, heart palpation difficulty breathing, fever,
Testicular symptoms - swelling
The diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is diagnosed by a series of medical examinations, X-rays, CT, PET scan, or MRI. If mesothelioma is suspected, a biopsy will be performed to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
Treatment options for mesothelioma may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Surgery can be performed if mesothelioma is detected at an early stage. The Chemotherapy and radiation are used to relieve symptoms, slow the spread of cancer, and help prolong the life of the patient.
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