Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Malignant Mesothelioma - Types, causes, stages and treatment options


Malignant Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer tumors, known as the mesothelium of body tissue. The mesothelium is a specialized cell layer to protect the line and many internal organs such as the chest and abdominal cavities.

Types of malignant mesothelioma

The first type of malignant mesothelioma is called pleural mesothelioma, or mesothelioma of the pleura. It is the most common type of> Mesothelioma, of whom about 75% of all cases of mesothelioma is. The pleura is a thin serous membrane between the lungs and chest, a lubricated surface that prevents the lungs from chafing against the chest wall requires. It also serves as a protective layer.

The second most common type of mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the peritoneum. The peritoneum is a thin serous membrane that encloses the organs of the abdomen. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a rare form of malignant mesothelioma cancer. This disease accounts for approximately 10% to 20% of all mesothelioma cases. Rather it is a more invasive form of cancer, patients diagnosed with this disease have a shorter life expectancy than they would have attracted pleural mesothelioma.

The third and least common type of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma, also known as> Mesothelioma of the pericardium. It accounts for less than 10% of all mesothelioma cases. The pericardium (pericardial sac) is the serous membrane that surrounds and protects the heart.

There are about 2,200 new cases of malignant mesothelioma of the visceral pleura of each year. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose and is rarely curable. The most common symptoms are dyspnea and chest pain.

Causes

Asbestos is theThe most common malignant mesothelioma of the visceral pleura. The period between the time of exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms is about 20 to 50 years. Because of this late start, it occurs most frequently in the later years of life. It is also more common in men than in women.

Diagnosis

Doctors usually make an incision through the chest wall and insert an instrument called thoracoscope between two ribs on the Range. Doctors areThen a biopsy, a tissue sample that can be analyzed under the microscope.

Stages of mesothelioma

Stage I: Cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity near the lung and heart or in the diaphragm or the lung.

Stage II: Cancer has spread via the lining of the chest to lymph nodes in the chest.

Stage III: Cancer has spread into the chest wall, in the middle of the chest, spreading of the heart, through the diaphragm or abdominal lining, and inIn some cases, nearby lymph nodes.

Stage IV: The cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.

Treatment

Radiation therapy and radiation therapy are in situations where the cancer is localized at the time of creation.
The chemotherapy used in advanced stages of malignant mesothelioma.

Cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermia (heated) Chemotherapy improves survival and quality of life for patients with peritoneal metastases (tumors, theLining of the abdominal cavity).

Surgery is used to select for stage I malignant mesothelioma. For phases II to IV, the treatment by surgery is still evolving.

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