Mesothelioma: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

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Mesothelioma is a rare condition that involves tumors growing in the mesothelium. This tissue covers the lungs, the heart and reproductive organs, as well as forming a cavity for the abdomen and those organs. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (affecting the chest and lungs) is the most common type.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma refers to tumors that develop in the mesothelium, a type of tissue that makes up the lining of cavities or hollows that protect and surround certain organs. This tissue forms:

The pleura, which surrounds your lungs.
The peritoneum, which surrounds the organs of your abdomen and pelvic area.
The pericardium, which surrounds your heart.
The tunica vaginalis, which surrounds your testicles.
Most people think of cancer of the pleura when they hear the word mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is related to exposure to asbestos and is often cancerous.

What are the types of mesothelioma?
There are different ways to refer to mesothelioma. One way is to determine if the tumor is cancerous (malignant mesothelioma) or not cancerous (benign mesothelioma). Other types refer back to the cavities formed by mesothelial tissue and are called:

Pleural mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma. You might also hear this called abdominal mesothelioma.
Pericardial mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis. You might also hear this called testicular mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma may also be divided into groups based on the type of cell that creates the tumor. These types are:

Epithelioid. This type of cell usually has a better prognosis than the others. Epithelial cells are the most common cells in your body.
Sarcomatoid. Sarcomatoid cells are the least common cells in your body. Their shape makes them more likely to move elsewhere in your body because it’s harder for them to stick together. This makes them more dangerous.
Biphasic. This is a mix of the first two types.
Who does mesothelioma affect?
Mesothelioma is associated with exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral used in many industries. Its use is now regulated in the U.S. and safety measures are in place, but this hasn’t always been true. People who were exposed 20 to 40 years ago are only now being diagnosed.

More men than women are affected by mesothelioma, at a rate of 3 to 1. Men in their 50s to their 70s represent most of the diagnoses.

Workers in the following industries were, and possibly still are, more at risk due to increased exposure to asbestos products:

Construction, roofing and demolition of buildings (asbestos is used in insulation and some tiles).
Shipbuilding.
Mining.
Milling.
Mechanics. (Asbestos is used in brakes).
Military veterans may have been exposed in many ways at military bases, on ships and in construction.

In childhood mesothelioma, asbestos doesn’t seem to be an issue. Children who have had earlier types of cancer and have been treated with radiation therapy have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma.

How common is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is considered a rare illness. Currently, there are an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 new cases of mesothelioma in the U.S. each year. Of the total, there are about 2,500 cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
You can have mesothelioma without symptoms, and you can have different symptoms depending on the type of mesothelioma you have. If you have any of the types of mesothelioma, it’s possible to have:

Fever.
Night sweats.
A general feeling of being unwell, also called malaise.
Weakness.
Unintended weight loss.
Signs and symptoms of pleural mesothelioma
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that comes on slowly and gets worse over time.
Chest pain.
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
Lumps in the chest area.
Fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion).
Signs and symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma
Abdominal pain.
Anemia.
Abnormal fluid collection (ascites).
Diarrhea.
Loss of appetite and loss of weight.
Nausea and vomiting.
A blockage in the small intestine.
Signs and symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma
Low blood pressure.
Abnormal heart rhythm patterns.
Chest pain.
Trouble breathing.
Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis testis
Hydrocele (swelling in the scrotum caused by fluid collection).
Lump in the scrotum.
Inguinal hernia.
Spermatocele (cyst in the epididymis).
What causes mesothelioma?
In adults, the main cause of mesothelioma is past exposure to asbestos fibers and dust. Between 70% and 80% of people with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos, mostly through work. It takes over 20 years for symptoms to develop.

In smaller numbers, people have developed mesothelioma after exposure to similar minerals like silica and erionite. Erionite is a type of mineral (zeolite) that’s been linked to mesothelioma.

Scientists are also investigating whether your genes contribute to your risk of developing mesothelioma. This is because only a small number of people who have been exposed to asbestos have developed mesothelioma.

Scientists are also looking into other causes, including exposure to chemicals, having viral infections and having radiation. Additionally, radiation therapy is associated with childhood mesothelioma.