What is Mesothelioma?

What is Mesothelioma?

What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is considered a rare form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that covers most of your internal organs. Mesothelioma is categorized by which area of the body that it’s located. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural malignant mesothelioma which attacks the tissue surrounding the lungs, the pleural.

Mesothelioma іs a form of cancer affectіng the abdomіnal cavіty, chest cavіty, and the regіon surroundіng the heart. Due to іts uncommon nature, mesothelioma іs typіcally dіffіcult to dіagnose and treat. It has been connected wіth exposure to asbestos, a materіal formerly present іn many work envіronments. Only about 3,000 іndіvіduals are dіagnosed annually.

This form of mesothelioma accounts for an estimated 70% of all cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) and pericardial mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining surrounding the heart (pericardium). The most rare form of mesothelioma is mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis which covers the testicles.

Mesothelioma can also be classified into 4 types based on the appearance of the cells when looked at under the microscope. These 4 types are:

Epithelioid: Roughly 50% to 60% of mesotheliomas are this type. The prognosis of this type of mesothelioma is better than the other three.

Sarcomatoid (fibrous): Roughly 10% to 20% of mesotheliomas are this type

Mixed (biphasic): Roughly 30% to 40% of mesotheliomas are this type. These mesotheliomas comprise of both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cell areas.

Desmoplastic: Extremely rare

There are numerous risk factors that scientists have linked to mesothelioma. Asbestos, Zeolities, Radiation and the SV40 virus have all been linked to causing mesothelioma. Roughly 75% of those suffering from mesothelioma are over the age of 65 and this form of cancer affects men 4 times more than women.

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