Mesothelioma: What is Malignant Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer which causes malignant cells to grow on the lining that protects the internal organs of the body. This protective lining is known as the mesothelium. There are different types of mesothelioma and each is named for the place where the cancer began to develop. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lining of the lungs and the internal chest wall, known as the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma, on the other hand, begins to develop in the lining that surrounds the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum. Pericardeal mesothelioma originates in the heart or in the protective sac that surrounds the heart, known as the pericardium.

While mesothelioma is often thought of as a form of lung cancer, it is distinctly different because lung cancers occur within the lung itself while mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lung. This rare disease, typically affecting less than 3,000 Americans each year, is generally caused by exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos, while widely used for decades due to its strength, light weight and resistance to heat, has been found to cause mesothelioma when pulverized dust or fibers are inhaled. The majority of people with malignant mesothelioma were exposed on-the-job to asbestos-laden construction materials, pipe insulation or even automobile brake pads. Others were exposed, often unknowingly, to asbestos around the household or even while doing laundry for someone who had asbestos particles or dust on their clothing.

Mesothelioma can develop from even short-term exposure to asbestos. Just one or two months of consistent exposure can be enough to lead to the formation of malignant cancer cells in the body. The time period between exposure to asbestos and diagnosis of the disease, known as the latency period, can be years or even decades long. As a result, those that were exposed in the 1940’s, ‘50’s, ‘60’s and ‘70’s during the height of asbestos use are just now being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

The symptoms of mesothelioma include:

• Shortness of breath due to the presence of fluid between the lung and the chest wall, known as pleural infusion;
• Coughing or wheezing;
• Pain in the chest wall;
• The presence of blood in the fluid produced from coughing;
• Fatigue or anemia;
• Fever and
• Swelling, or the presence of lumps, in the abdomen.

Diagnosing mesothelioma is rarely straight forward because the symptoms tend to be similar to those of other illnesses. Initially, diagnosis will begin with an in-depth review of the patient’s medical history as well as his work history. Any incidences of exposure to asbestos will increase the likelihood of a mesothelioma diagnosis and will be followed up by a physical examination, x-rays and a lung function test. If these methods prove inconclusive, either a CT scan or an MRI will be performed. If fluid from the lungs is present, it may be analyzed cytopathologically for abnormal cells.

If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is extremely important that you consult a medical professional as soon as possible in order to explore your treatment options.

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