Mesothelioma types
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the lining around the lungs (the “pleura”), abdomen (the “peritoneum”), or heart (the “pericardium”). Such way, we can differ types of mesothelioma, such as Pleural Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Pericardial Mesothelioma, Cell Types of Mesothelioma.
Let us see, the main aspects of these diseases, symptoms and diagnosis.
1). Pleural mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the pleura, is a tumor of the lining surrounding the lungs. The pleura is a thin tissue around the lungs and the inside of the chest. In order to protect the lungs, the pleura produces a small amount of fluid which helps cushion the lungs, making the lungs move more smoothly during breathing.
Symptoms.
Pleural mesothelioma may include shortness of breath, chest pain, back pain, pain in the rib cage, fluid build-up in the lung lining, hoarseness, coughing up blood, swelling of the face and arms, muscle weakness, paralysis and sensory loss.
Pleural Mesothelioma diagnosis.
While diagnostic, the doctor may use:
- CT scan: this type of X-ray provides a very detailed picture of the size and location of the cancer. The images taken are compiled by a computer to create a more complete image of the disease. The procedure is also called a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.
- PET scan: a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body.
- Thoracoscopy: the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma may involve your doctor looking inside the chest cavity with an instrument called a thoracoscope. For this procedure, an incision is made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope is put into the chest between two ribs. This procedure is usually done in the hospital.
- Bronchoscopy involves an examination of the lungs and air passages.
- Thoracentesis: the doctor might take a sample of your some lung fluid with a needle injected into the chest and test the fluid for cancer cells.
- Mediastinoscopy observe the area of your chest, between your lungs, and contains the heart, blood vessels and lymph nodes.
2). Peritoneal mesothelioma, also known as cancer of the peritoneum, is a cancer of the abdominal lining.
Peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis:
One way doctors diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma is by looking inside the abdominal cavity with an instrument called a peritoneoscope. In this procedure, a cut is made through the abdomen wall and the peritoneoscope is placed into the abdomen. This test, called a peritoneoscopy, is usually performed in the hospital.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms:
The symptoms of this cancer may include stomach pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, hernia, fluid in the abdominal cavity or a mass in the abdomen.
3). Pericardial mesothelioma is also known as mesothelioma of the pericardium or cancer of the sac that holds the heart. Your doctor may diagnose this cancer using a thoracoscope to perform a thoracoscopy, which might also involve opening up the chest cavity to remove the tumor.
Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma:
Symptoms can include chest pain and shortness of breath. The tumor and/or fluid that accumulates between the heart and the sac can compress the heart, causing such symptoms
4). Cell types of mesothelioma. A patient’s doctor or medical records may refer to the “cell type” of the malignant mesothelioma. This refers to the type of tissue where the cancer first developed. For example, “epithelial” malignant mesothelioma refers to cancerous cells that develop in the “epithelium,” which is the membrane lining of the lung, heart, or abdomen. In contrast, “sarcomatous” malignant mesothelioma arises in connective tissue. “Biphasic” refers to malignant mesothelioma that arises in two different cell types. Other cell types of malignant mesothelioma are lymphohistiocytoid and desmoplastic.
