Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma


Mesothelioma is type of cancer that occur in the mesothelium. Mesothelium is a thin layer of cells lining the body's internal organs. This is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body.

There are three recognized types of mesothelioma.
1. Pleural mesothelioma.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma.
3. Pericardial mesothelioma.

1. Pleural mesothelioma is a most common type of mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma accounting roughly 70% cases. Pleura this is a membrane that surrounds the lungs and wall of the chest cavity.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity. Lining of the abdominal cavity known as the peritoneum. Peritoneum covers most of the organs of abdominal cavity.
3. Pericardial mesothelioma originates in the pericardium. The pericardium is the mesothelial tissue that covers and protects the heart.

Mesothelioma is rare type of cancer, but each year in the United States are diagnosed 2000 new cases of mesothelioma.
Symptoms of mesothelioma

Mesothelioma starts as a lot of tiny nodules in the pleura. This nodules may not show up on scans or x-rays until they are quite large. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain. Some people find that their voice becomes hoarse and they have a cough that does not go away.

Peritoneal mesothelioma often causes swelling and pain in the abdomen.
Mesothelioma diagnosis

Methods of diagnosing mesothelioma.

* X-ray
* Computed tomography
* Magnetic resonance imaging
* Positron emission tomography
* Video - assisted Thoracoscopic surgery
* Thoracoscopy
* Peritoneoscopy
* Biopsy