Types of Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma accounts for approximately seventy-five percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses in the United States. When asbestos is breathed in, the small fibers enter the deep recesses of the lung. Some asbestos fibers remain in the lung tissue where they can cause asbestosis or lung cancer. However, many asbestos fibers move from the lung to other areas of the body, including the pleura. The pleura are very thin layers of tissue that line the lungs. In a healthy person, the pleuron facilitates the movement of the lungs as we inhale and exhale air.
The most common place for mesothelioma to develop is in the mesothelial membrane, also called the pleural lining, surrounding the lungs. About two thirds of all mesothelioma cases develop in the pleural mesothelium or lung lining. Pleural mesothelioma is also known as cancer of the lung lining.
There are generally two categories of pleural mesothelioma, localized and benign, and generalized and malignant. The localized and benign version of pleural mesothelioma is not considered life threatening and is easily removed through surgery. Patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that is malignant often have one year or less to live. The early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are often vague: Shortness of breath, chest pains, and coughing; many times individuals with pleural mesothelioma never experience early symptoms at all.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity, is less common than the pleural form, comprising approximately one-fifth to one-third of the total number of mesothelioma cases diagnosed. According to the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiologist, and End Results) database, these diagnoses are approximately 54.7 per cent male versus 45.3 per cent female, with the median age being 65-69. The latency period appears to be shorter for asbestos-exposed individuals with symptoms appearing 20-30 years after exposure rather than the 30-40 year latency more commonly associated with pleural mesothelioma.
Although there's no definitive explanation, it is widely believed that asbestos causes peritoneal mesothelioma in one of two ways. First, asbestos fibers may be ingested, and when in the intestinal tract, the fibers may work themselves into the peritoneal cavity and peritoneum. Second, they may be inhaled and transported through the lymph node system to the peritoneal cavity.
The most common forms of treatment for an individual diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and palliative therapies. Surgery may be performed to remove part of the lining and tissue from the abdomen, depending on the advancement of the cancer and the size and location of the tumor(s).
Once your diagnosis is confirmed and you have begun treatment, it is imperative that you seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in asbestos-related illness. If a past employer negligently exposed you to asbestos, you are most likely to be entitled to a monetary award to cover your medical bills, your pain and suffering, and even punitive damages against a negligent employer. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a very difficult cancer to treat; you can rely on your attorney to act in your best interests.
