Types of Mesothelioma

• Mesothelioma generally affects four areas of the body. Pericardial mesothelioma is found in the lining of the heart. Pleural mesothelioma grows on the diaphragm, lungs or chest cavity, while peritoneal mesothelioma covers the membrane that covers the organs in the abdomen. Testicular mesothelioma affects the glands and ducts found in the testicles and causes these structures to thicken.
  
  

Risk Factors

• Working with asbestos in the past is the greatest risk factor for developing mesothelioma. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 70 to 80 percent of reported cases of the disease occur in people who have had asbestos exposure. Asbestos has been used to strengthen such products as roof and siding shingles, cement, flooring, insulation and brake linings. Asbestos is dangerous when it takes the form of dust particles that can be swallowed or inhaled. Usually mesothelioma develops after years of exposure, but in some cases, the disease occurs in people who have only had brief contact with asbestos. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets limits on the amount of asbestos that workers can be exposed to today and requires that workers wear protective gear when working with asbestos.
  
  

Symptoms

• Symptoms vary depending on the type of mesothelioma and may not appear until 30 or more years following asbestos exposure. People who have pericardial mesothelioma may experience chest pain, inflammation or fluid build-up in the sac surrounding the heart, difficulty breathing or bleeding in the pericardium. Pleural mesothelioma patients often experience coughing, chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, weight loss, fever, coughing up blood, trouble swallowing and hoarseness. According to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, 80 percent of patients have the pleural form of the disease. Common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include anemia, abdominal pain, bowel obstructions, digestive problems, blood clotting problems, weight loss, an elevated white blood cell count and increased abdominal girth. In testicular mesothelioma, the testicles may become swollen or develop lumps.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Based on your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may recommend that X-rays be performed to detect any tumors. Computed tomography (CAT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be needed to provide your doctor with detailed images of your organs. If a tumor is found, a biopsy will be needed to make a diagnosis of mesothelioma. During a biopsy, a small tissue sample is removed. A biopsy is usually conducted using a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
  
  

Treatment

• Surgery to remove the tumor may help relieve pressure on the organs. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used in conjunction with surgery. Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, while radiation therapy uses targeted high dose X-rays to kill cancer cells. If fluid build-up in the chest or abdomen is causing pain or other problems, your doctor may be able to remove excess fluid by draining it with a hollow needle or tube.