Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the linings of the body’s internal organs. This lining is known as the mesothelium. Malignant pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the heart. It is the rarest variety of mesothelioma and accounts for only 10% of cases each year. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, and pericardial mesothelioma is even more so. There is no cure for malignant mesothelioma in any of its varieties and treatment options can be quite limited, depending on the stage of the disease.
Diagnosis of malignant pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult in that symptoms of the disease are relatively minor until the disease has reached a later stage. However, it is possible that the disease will be stumbled upon during another type of exam, such as an X-ray or Computer tomography scan, which may reveal an effusion in the heart cavity. If an effusion is detected, the patient will likely be ordered to undergo a biopsy. During a biopsy, a physician will insert a small needle into the affected area, thereby extracting some fluid for testing. If cancer is discovered, a treatment cycle will likely begin immediately.
Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium, a thin layer of cells that surround the body’s internal organs. The mesothelium is a lubricating layer that allows the body’s internal structures to move without abrasion within the body cavity. It is within abdominal cavity’s mesothelium, known as the peritoneum, that malignant peritoneal mesothelioma occurs. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common variety of the disease and accounts for approximately 20% of cases in the United States each year. Mesothelioma has no cure in any of its forms. Mesothelioma treatment is available, but limited by the circumstances of each specific patient.
Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma, like any variety of mesothelioma in an early stage, is extremely difficult. This is due to the fact that mesothelioma symptoms hardly ever necessitate a comprehensive physician’s exam, leading to self or misdiagnosis by the patient. However, it is possible to discover the disease incidentally, which is the case with most early stages diagnoses. If, during the course of some type of body scan such as an X-ray or computer tomography scan, something that resembles cancer is detected, the patient will likely be instructed to undergo a biopsy. A biopsy will require the extraction of a small amount of abdominal fluid for lab testing. If lab tests confirm the presence of mesothelioma, treatment will likely begin immediately.
Treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma breaks down into three general categories. Surgical resection of the cancer is sometimes an option but much of that depends on the location of the cancer with regards to other internal body structures and the stage of the mesothelioma. Chemotherapy is the most popular treatment. Chemotherapy uses cancer cell killing drug cocktails in order to slow the cancer’s growth. Radiation therapy is also used in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma and uses radioactive particles focuses on a certain area to disrupt the cancer’s growth and cell division. While none of these treatments can cure the cancer, they can provide invaluable time for a patient to spend more time with their family and loved ones.
The only known cause for malignant mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Peritoneal mesothelioma is no exception; though it is somewhat more difficult for physicians to know how exactly the asbestos particles affect the peritoneum and abdominal cavity. It is surmised that the asbestos fibers are ingested through the digestive system and absorbed into the soft abdominal tissue, where they cause a chronic tissue inflammation and scar tissue, laying the groundwork for tumor growth. Those knowingly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing asbestos related disease, such as mesothelioma, and should contact their physician at first sign of any symptoms.