Mesothelioma is usually also known as ‘diffuse’ or ‘malignant’ mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the Mesothelium, which is a thin membrane that lines the inner surface of the chest wall where it is known as the pleura, and abdomen, where it is known as the peritoneum. It also surrounds the organs found within these cavities for example the heart, lung and intestines. It is far more common to have mesothelioma in the chest than in the abdomen, there is approximately 1 case of peritoneal mesothelioma to every 12 cases of pleural mesothelioma.
Symptom
It can take many years after being exposed to asbestos for mesothelioma to occur. The length of time taken is referred to as the latency period and is usually between 15-45 years.In the early stages when the mesothelioma is present as small lumps it will not show up on any scans or x-rays and is unlikely to cause any symptoms. As it progresses pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma can both cause general symptoms such as sweating, tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss. As the disease advances pleural mesothelioma typically causes patients to feel breathless and/or experience chest pain.
Breathlessness may be due to a combination of factors. The pleura being thickened can act like a rind around the lung restricting its movement and preventing the lung from expanding.Pain can be quite severe as the mesothelioma can extend into the tissues surrounding the pleura including nerves and bone. A variety of medication is available to combat any pain experienced.
Fluid may also accumulate in the space between the two layers of the pleura occupying space and again this restricts lung expansion. A cough or altered voice is also sometimes experienced. Peritoneal mesothelioma often causes swelling and pain in the abdomen.
Two kind of Mesothelioma
1. Pleural Mesothelioma
The pleural lining has two layers: the visceral (inner) layer is next to the lung and the parietal (outer) layer lines the chest wall. The pleura produces fluid that lubricates the space between the two layers, this allows the two layers to slide comfortably over each other as we breathe in and out.
Pleural mesothelioma causes the pleura to thicken. This thickening of the pleura might begin to press onto the lungs or attach itself to the inside of the chest wall. In either case the expansion of the lung becomes progressively restricted by the tumour. Fluid, sometimes several litres, can collect between the two layers of the pleura; this affects the lungs ability to expand and causes the person to feel breathless. This is known as a pleural effusion.
2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The peritoneum also has two layers the inner (visceral) layer which is next to the abdominal organs and the outer (parietal) layer which lines the abdominal wall.
Peritoneal mesothelioma causes the peritoneum to thicken and fluid to collect in the abdomen. This collection of fluid is called ascites and causes the abdomen to swell. Because pleural mesothelioma is more common and often spreads to the peritoneal cavity, it is sometimes necessary to determine if pleural mesothelioma is the primary cancer.
Symptom
It can take many years after being exposed to asbestos for mesothelioma to occur. The length of time taken is referred to as the latency period and is usually between 15-45 years.In the early stages when the mesothelioma is present as small lumps it will not show up on any scans or x-rays and is unlikely to cause any symptoms. As it progresses pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma can both cause general symptoms such as sweating, tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss. As the disease advances pleural mesothelioma typically causes patients to feel breathless and/or experience chest pain.
Breathlessness may be due to a combination of factors. The pleura being thickened can act like a rind around the lung restricting its movement and preventing the lung from expanding.Pain can be quite severe as the mesothelioma can extend into the tissues surrounding the pleura including nerves and bone. A variety of medication is available to combat any pain experienced.
Fluid may also accumulate in the space between the two layers of the pleura occupying space and again this restricts lung expansion. A cough or altered voice is also sometimes experienced. Peritoneal mesothelioma often causes swelling and pain in the abdomen.
Two kind of Mesothelioma
1. Pleural Mesothelioma
The pleural lining has two layers: the visceral (inner) layer is next to the lung and the parietal (outer) layer lines the chest wall. The pleura produces fluid that lubricates the space between the two layers, this allows the two layers to slide comfortably over each other as we breathe in and out.
Pleural mesothelioma causes the pleura to thicken. This thickening of the pleura might begin to press onto the lungs or attach itself to the inside of the chest wall. In either case the expansion of the lung becomes progressively restricted by the tumour. Fluid, sometimes several litres, can collect between the two layers of the pleura; this affects the lungs ability to expand and causes the person to feel breathless. This is known as a pleural effusion.
2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The peritoneum also has two layers the inner (visceral) layer which is next to the abdominal organs and the outer (parietal) layer which lines the abdominal wall.
Peritoneal mesothelioma causes the peritoneum to thicken and fluid to collect in the abdomen. This collection of fluid is called ascites and causes the abdomen to swell. Because pleural mesothelioma is more common and often spreads to the peritoneal cavity, it is sometimes necessary to determine if pleural mesothelioma is the primary cancer.
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