Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer in which malignant or cancerous cells form in the thin layers of tissue lining the human chest, heart or abdomen. When the cancer is in the chest, it affects the pleura or tissue lining the lungs and is called malignant pleural mesothelioma. This is the most common type of mesothelioma. In the abdomen, a cancer of the peritoneum or tissue lining the abdominal cavity and covering various organs is called malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. The least common form of mesothelioma affects the pericardium, or outer lining of the heart. The term mesothelioma literally means a growth of the mesothelium, a layer of tissue from which the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium all develop.
The majority of malignant mesotheliomas occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, either directly or via people they live with. Avoiding exposure to asbestos can largely prevent malignant mesotheliomas. Depending on the location of the cancer, someone with malignant mesothelioma may have one or more of the following symptoms: breathlessness, pain under the rib cage or in the abdomen, an abdominal lump or swelling, and unexplained weight loss.
If a detailed medical history and physical exam suggests malignant mesothelioma as a possible diagnosis, a variety of diagnostic tests may be performed, including blood tests, x-rays, MRIs, CT scans and biopsies. Malignant mesotheliomas are graded upon the extent they have spread. A stage I, or localized, malignant mesothelioma is one that has not spread beyond the area it originated in. Stage II, III and IV malignant mesotheliomas are advanced, and may have spread to lymph nodes or to surrounding or distant organs and tissues. Depending on the stage, a treatment plan may include surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Some cancer treatment centers are involved in clinical trials using biotherapy and immunotherapy.
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Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the peritoneum, or tissue lining the abdomen and some of its organs. This lining tissue provides a small amount of lubricating fluid that allows organs in the gut to move and work properly. This cancer accounts for approximately...
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A Guide To Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosis
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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The most critical form of mesothelioma is the malignant form. Known as malignant mesothelioma, the primary causal factor is asbestos infection. According to the US National Cancer Institute, “Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the...
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Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosis
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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When a patient has symptoms suggesting malignant mesothelioma, a doctor starts with imaging techniques to confirm a diagnosis. X-rays and CT scans of the chest or abdomen are taken to identify any abnormalities, such as fluid collections, thickening of tissue, or growths, that may indicate...
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Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the thin layer of tissue that lines the chest and lungs. It is a rare form of cancer that is mostly associated with exposure to asbestos. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a fast-moving cancer with a median survival time...
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A Guide To Malignant Mesothelioma
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Malignant mesothelioma is usually a fatal disease. Often by the time it is diagnosed, the cancer has spread extensively, even though the patient may not have had any earlier symptoms. Malignant mesothelioma affects about 2,000 people each year in the US. It is a fast-spreading...
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Mesothelioma Symptoms: An Overview
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Malignant mesotheliomas are rare cancers that form in the tissues lining the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium). Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, is the most common, accounting for about 75 percent of all malignant mesotheliomas. Between ten and twenty...
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. The cancer envelops many of the organs in the abdomen by a thin membrane of mesothelial cells, known as the peritoneum. Its only known cause in the U.S. is previous exposure...
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Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Survival Rate
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma. Many factors may be involved in determining the survival rate for this aggressive cancer; some are better understood than others. Estimates of median survival time range from one to two years; survival depends on...
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Mesothelioma
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Mesothelioma is generally caused by the inhalation of fibers from asbestos, which is a carcinogenic material. It is commonly seen among workers in the construction industry who have long exposure to asbestos. It can also be caused by living in asbestos insulated buildings for a...
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A Guide To Peritoneal Mesothelioma
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Approximately 10-20 percent of the cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesotheliomas). This type of mesothelioma does not respond well to treatment, but is less common than pleural mesothelioma, which affects the membrane covering the lungs. Since it is...