Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, which is a rare type of cancer that really started to rear its ugly face in recent years, actually could show up in three different varieties, all equally serious in nature. Mesothelioma usually appears in malignant form (that’s the bad one), and normally results in various tumors around vital organs of the body. Mesothelioma is an actual cancer of the sac that protects and lines the vital organs, which is called the Mesothelioma – hence the name Mesothelioma (oma means cancer). The three different forms of Mesothelioma are:

1. Peritoneal Mesothelioma
2. Pericardial Mesothelioma
3. Pleural Mesothelioma

Some symptoms that people experience can be related across the board to all three types of Mesothelioma, but some symptoms are unique to whichever type a patient may have. Whichever form the person has, they’re likely not to know about it for many, many years after they get it. It is widely known that many Mesothelioma patients didn’t experience any symptoms until 30+ years after exposure. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a more rare form of the disease, which is where the cancer targets and affects the abdomen and stomach area. The tumors usually press against the abdomen walls and can cause a wide range of symptoms, like nausea, swelling of the abdomen, vomiting, chest pains, fever, blood clotting, and many more. The cancer usually starts in the area of the abdomen, and spreads from there. Catching this form in its early stages is highly critical to a solid treatment plan. Pericardial Mesothelioma is the rarest form of the cancer, and this form attacks the cavity that surrounds and protects the heart, as well as the heart itself. This is a very volatile and dangerous form of Mesothelioma, and can cause all sorts of complications and symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of this form are chest pain, breathing trouble, persistent coughs, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Plueral Mesothelioma, the most common instance of the disease, affects the lungs, the cavity around the lungs, and the protective lining of the lungs. Since many who were exposed to asbestos years back got it by inhaling, this is why it’s the most common form seen in patients. Usually people who suffer from this form of Mesothelioma experience a difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, weight loss, fever, and difficulty breathing, and bloody coughs. This is due to pleural effusion, which is when fluid builds up between the chest cavity, and the lining of the lung. Whichever form of Mesothelioma a patient is diagnosed with; there are a growing number of treatment options and strategies to eliminate the cancer. As the technology of medicine evolves even more, and with the amount of research being done in the Mesothelioma field, better and more efficient treatments are sure to be available in the near future.