Types
of Mesothelioma Lung Cancer - Pericardial Mesothelioma, Peritoneal
Mesothelioma, Pleural Mesothelioma & Testicular Mesothelioma
i) Pericardial
Mesothelioma - Symptoms, Development, Diagnosis & Treatment
Options for Pericardial Mesothelioma
(July 25th, 2008)
 Pericardial
mesothelioma is a cancer that damages the linings of the heart (pericardium).
The pericardium is a membrane consisting of mesothelial cells that
surround the heart and provide protection to it. The pericardium
is made up of 2 different layers; 1) an outer layer called parietal
layer and 2) inner layer called visceral layer. The parietal layer
lines the entire chest cavity while the visceral layer lines the
heart. Pericardial mesothelioma occurs when the patient develops
cancerous tissues around the linings that surround the heart, and
thus around the Pericardium. Why is the pericardium so important
to the body? This is because it acts as a fluid filled 'sac' that
insulates and protects the heart from malignant tumors. This also
keeps the heart intact within the chest cavity and prevents the
heart from over expanding when blood flow in the bloodstream increases.
The space between the parietal layer & the visceral layer, known
as the pericardium produces fluid designed to keep the whole area
lubricated and to lessen friction between the membranes, thus allowing
them to slide and glide against each other and pumping blood into
the body.
ii) What
is Peritoneal Mesothelioma? - Symptoms, Development, Diagnosis &
Treatment Options for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
(July 22nd, 2008)
 Peritoneal
Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that is much rarer than Pleural
mesothelioma. About 100 - 500 cases are diagnosed in the USA each
year, which is about 25% - 30% of all mesothelioma cases. Results
of diagnosis are approximately 54.7% in male versus 45.3% in females,
with an average age of 65 - 69 (Source: SEER - Surveillance, Epidemiology,
and End Results). Symptoms for Peritoneal mesothelioma surface to
life 20 - 30 years after Asbestos exposure, as opposed to Pleural
mesothelioma where symptoms surface to life after 30 - 40 years.
Peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the abdominal lining or Peritoneum
of the lungs, and thus is also known as abdominal mesothelioma.
The peritoneum insulates organs of the abdomen and its primary purpose
is for protection. The image on the left is of the peritoneum consisting
of 2 parts; visceral and parietal peritoneum. The function of the
visceral peritoneum is to cover internal abdominal organs and it
makes up most of the outer layer of the intestinal tract. The parietal
peritoneum (outer layer) on the other hand insulates the abdominal
cavity and is attached to the abdominal wall. The space between
these two layers is known as the peritoneal cavity, filled with
a 50ml serous fluid that allows the 2 layers to freely slide and
glide over each other. Another purpose for the serous fluid is to
help the intestines move food freely throughout the body. Cancerous
cells force the peritoneal cavity to overproduce the serous fluid
causing an excessive buildup of fluids in the abdominal cavity.
This is also known as ascites.
iii) What
is Pleural Mesothelioma? Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Options
for Pleural Mesothelioma
(July 20th, 2008)
 About
2000 - 4000 Americans are diagnosed with Malignant Mesothelioma
each year, and about 66% of those cases are of Pleural Mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma occurs when Cancer hits the lining of the lungs,
also known as the 'Pleura.' The Pleura is a Sac which houses the
lungs, and consists of a thin membrane called the 'mesothelium.'
The mesothelium is a vital part of the lungs because it enables
them to expand and contract when breathing by secreting a fluid.
This fluid is located in the lungs and inside of the rib cage. If
the Pleura or the Pleural fluid becomes damaged with Cancer, it
makes it very hard for the patient to breathe, thus shortness of
breath is a common symptom of Pleural mesothelioma.
Types of Pleural Mesothelioma
i) Benign Pleural Mesothelioma
A Benign pleural mesothelioma is NON-Cancerous, meaning it has
not spread to other parts of the body. It the masses of tumor are
large, it may squeeze the lungs making it hard for the patient to
breathe & cause pain.
ii) Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is cancerous and can spread to other
organs of the body. It commonly resides in the pleural sac lining
of the lungs and is caused by exposure to Asbestos. More on malignant
pleural mesothelioma follows below.
iv) Testicular
Mesothelioma - Symptoms, Development, Diagnosis & Treatment
Options for Testicular Mesothelioma
(August 1st, 2008)
 Testicular
mesothelioma is when malignant tumors invade the tunica vaginalis;
a membranous lining that surrounds, protects & insulates the
testicles. Since the testicles are the reproductive organs of the
human body, it can be very dangerous if they are damaged by cancerous
tumors. The tunica vaginalis is composed of mesothelial cells, which
are cells that line the body's serous cavities and internal organs
and provide protective, non-adhesive surfaces. Mesothelial cells
also help in transporting fluids and cells across the serous cavities.
The image on the left is of the tunica vaginalis composed of 2 layers;
parietal (outer) layer and visceral (inner) layer.
Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma lung
cancer out there with only 100 cases diagnosed this year. Since
it is extremely rare, doctors do not know exactly how it is caused.
Scientists suggest 2 possible ways how testicular mesothelioma can
develop; 1) patients with testicular mesothelioma have primary tumorous
cells in the peritoneal membrane, while developing secondary tumors
in one or both of the testicles and 2) patients develop primary
tumors in the testicles. When testicular mesothelioma develops as
a secondary tumor, it is quite possible that the source of the Cancer
is a peritoneal tumor that spreads (metastasizes) to other organs
and areas of the body, including the lymph nodes. Scientists still
however do not know how a primary tumor can develop directly in
the testicles.
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