Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial

Malignant Mesothelioma Definations

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Malignant Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin cell wall lining of the body's internal organs and structures. This lining is known as the mesothelium. Malignant mesothelioma has three known varieties. They are malignant pleural mesothelioma, malignant pericardial mesothelioma, and malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the pleura, the lung's lining. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the peritoneum, the abdominal cavity wall. And pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the hearth, known as the pericardium.

Mesothelioma is known only to be caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a nature, yet toxic mineral that was used commonly in heavy industry. Microscopic asbestos fibers enter the body through the lung or ingestion. Once inside, the durable fibers are unable to be broken down or expelled by the body, causing a harmful inflammation and scarring of the mesothelium. This scarring lays the groundwork for malignant mesothelioma and other respiratory conditions, such as asbestosis.

There is a great deal of latency associated with asbestos exposure and the onset of mesothelioma. Often patients will not encounter mesothelioma symptoms until 30-50 years following exposure to asbestos. In many cases, those diagnosed with mesothelioma are not those who were directly exposed to asbestos in a jobsite setting. Spouses and children of those exposed to asbestos who frequently came into contact with the fibers on the clothing or person of those exposed have also developed malignant mesothelioma as a result



Malignant mesothelioma prognosis is poor, as often the disease will be diagnosed in its later stages after symptoms have appeared. However, there are several treatment options for the management of the cancer. Among these are mesothelioma chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical resection. Chemotherapeutic and radiation therapy methods are more likely but surgery is often an option for those whose disease is diagnosed early enough.

More aggressive therapies are now possible for patients with mesothelioma diagnosed in its earlier stages. For instance, extrapleural pneumonectomy is now possible in many pleural mesothelioma patients who are deemed eligible for aggressive surgery. Extrapleural pneumonectomy involves the removal of the entire affected lung, the pericardium, the pleura, and the diaphragm. This aggressive surgery is performed frequently in early stage mesothelioma patients by Dr. David Sugarbaker at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA.


Patient's who are eligible to receive an aggressive surgery, like an extrapleural pneumonectomy, will have a far more favorable prognosis than those diagnosed with advanced stage inoperable disease. However, there are treatment options for nearly all mesothelioma patients. Chemotherapy cocktails such as the use of Alimta® in conjunction with Cisplatin, as well as numerous other clinical trial being carried out give mesothelioma patients the ability to slow the advance of the disease and extend survival rates.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma and occurs in the mesothelial membrane surrounding the chest cavity and lungs. Pleural mesothelioma, because it is more common than other varieties of the malignancy, has had more research invested in it. Pleural mesothelioma represents approximately 70% of all mesothelioma diagnoses.Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma and represents approximately 15-20% of all mesothelioma diagnoses. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity in the membrane surrounding the organs of this region. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is known only to be caused by exposure to asbestos.

Malignant pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest of all known malignancies, and represents less than 10% of all mesothelioma diagnoses. Pericardial mesotheliomas occur within the mesothelial lining of the heart. Pericardial mesotheliomas, like those of pleural and peritoneal varieties, are associated with asbestos exposure. Pericardial mesotheliomas differ from the pleural variant in that they are known to occur in younger individuals. While surgery is seen as the preferred method of treatment, mobidity and mortality are almost certain given the region in which the tumor is located.

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial 

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial 

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial 

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial 

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial 

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial 

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial 

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial 

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung X ray Histology CXR CT Cancer Ribbon Cytology Symptoms Commercial