Mesothelioma, pronounced as (me-zoe-thee-lee-O-muh), is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there may be an opportunity for financial compensation from the companies responsible for asbestos exposure.
During this challenging time, they will provide support and guidance to caregivers and patients, ensuring they understand their rights and receive the necessary assistance.
The mesothelium is made up of mesothelial cells, which serve as a protective surface and play a role in various processes such as fluid transport, inflammation, and tissue repair.
The mesothelium lines the pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial cavities, as well as the testicles.
When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can enter the mesothelium and cause damage to the mesothelial cells, eventually leading to the development of malignant tumors.
Malignant mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive and painful cancer, with symptoms varying from patient to patient depending on the affected area of the body.
While pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the tissue surrounding the lungs, is the most common form, it can also develop in the abdominal tissue (peritoneal mesothelioma), the tissue surrounding the heart (pericardial mesothelioma), and the tissue surrounding the testicles (mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis).
Malignant mesothelioma is a highly aggressive and painful cancer, with symptoms that differ among patients and depending on the affected area of the body.
Different Types of Mesothelioma Cancers:
Peritoneal Mesothelioma:
When the cancer develops in the peritoneum, the mesothelial membrane covering the abdominal cavity and organs within it, it is known as peritoneal mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for approximately 10 to 15 percent of new diagnoses and can result from swallowing or inhaling asbestos fibers that reach the abdomen.
Patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma often experience abdominal swelling, accompanied by pain, weight loss, and loss of appetite.
Pleural Mesothelioma:
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of the cancer, affecting the pleura, which is the mesothelial membrane lining the lungs and chest wall.
This type typically develops from inhaling asbestos fibers. Tumors in the pleura can spread to the nearby diaphragm, heart, and blood vessels in the chest. Early symptoms may include shortness of breath, pleural effusion (fluid build-up in the pleura), chest pain, cough, and fatigue.
It's important to note that mesothelioma originates in the pleural tissue surrounding the lung, not the lung itself, distinguishing it from lung cancer.
Testicular Mesothelioma:
Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of the cancer and affects the membrane covering the testicle, known as the tunica vaginalis testis.
Due to its rarity, there is limited clinical agreement on the characteristics and symptoms of this type of testicular cancer, making diagnosis challenging.
Patients may report painful swelling of the testicle, and diagnosis is often made during or after surgery through laboratory analysis and imaging scans.
Pericardial Mesothelioma:
Pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely rare and highly lethal form of the cancer, accounting for approximately 1 to 5 percent of all new cases.
It affects the mesothelial membrane covering the heart, known as the pericardium.
Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include fluid accumulation in the pericardial space, shortness of breath, fever, chest pain, weight loss, and heart palpitations.
