Malignant peritoneal Mesothelioma|Desmoplastic Mesothelioma|Cause and Effect of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Cause

2009-11-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma Cause:
The mesothelioma cause is extremely deadly and should be given the utmost respect because mesothelioma is a very serious and lethal form of cancer, which has only one known cause. asbestos particles are microscopic naturally occurring fibers that are the only known cause of mesothelioma. These fibers are most concentrated in industrialised areas and contact with them can prove lethal. Although, for the asbestos particles to cause an infection and eventually mesothelioma, they must first make their way into the body. The particles can enter the body through one of two methods. They can be ingested, processed, and then digested. Then they lodge themselves in the peritoneum, hence the name Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Although, in cases of desmoplastic mesothelioma the asbestos fibers do not infect the peritoneum. The asbestos fibers are also known to infect the abdominal wall. Asbestos paarticles can also be inhaled and then make their way into the lungs. Once they gain access to the lungs, they infect the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes.

Effect:
The infection resulting from asbestos exposure leads to the creation of cancerous cells. And, as most cancerous cells do, the infected cells begin to erratically divide without the normal control of cell mitosis. Then, they begin to spread and invade the nearby tissues and organs, causing havoc along the way. At this point, malignant tumors begin to form and metastasize (spread), away from its origin, into other parts of the body. The mesothelioma cause is solely due to asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

2009-10-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma diagnosis is often a difficult task for its symptoms are similar to many other diseases. Although, a clear indicator of mesothelioma is an exposure to asbestos. Then a doctor will follow up the suspicion of mesothelioma with a physical examination, chest x-ray, and then lung function tests. X-rays may reveal the thickening of the pleural, which is commonly associated with asbestos exposure. This procedure remains the basis for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis.

While there exists a fairly concrete procedure for mesothelioma diagnosis, there is no set standard as of yet for preventative screening. Early indicators of the disease remain fairly obscure, yet the serum osteopontin level might indicate an exposure to asbestos. Also, doctors have begun testing the Mesomark assay, which measures the levels of soluble mesothelin-related proteins released by the cancerous cells. Unfortunately, this procedure remains fairly rudimentary for it is in its testing-phase. Currently, mesothelioma diagnosis remains a fairly reactive process which results in a failry bleak prognosis

Pleural Mesothelioma

2009-10-31T20:02:00.000-07:00

"Pleural Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura. Contrary to popular belief, mesothelioma is not a type of primary lung cancer. Instead, it is cancer of the serious membranes, which enclose numerous organs throughout the midsection (which includes the lungs). Other types of mesothelioma; peritoneal and pericardial can affect the membranes of the abdomen (peritoneal) and the membranes of the heart (pericardial).

Pleural Mesothelioma is a cancer that exclusively infects the membranes of the lungs. While it usually affects both of the lungs simultaneously, there is a slighly higher incidence of mesothelioma in the right lung because the left lung is smaller. Since the right lung is larger, it offers a greater amount of surface area to become infected. As the disease develops, the tumor (mass) that develops grows larger and more lethal. With each passing minute, the malignant tumor spreads and threatens to compromise the lungs. Not only does the malignant tumor spread at an incredible rate, but in most cases of pleural mesothelioma, multiple tumor masses develop. As more and more masses form, the cancerous cells begin to infect other tissue outside of the lung pleura. This can be disasterous unless treated in its earlier stages. Pleural Mesothelioma is a very lethal type of mesothelioma, which represents about 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment

2009-10-31T14:32:00.000-07:00

Treatments:
There are various treatment options available for those who suffer from malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Although, various factors influence the options as well as their effectiveness. Factors. include; stage of cancer, location of tumor, type of cancer cell, patient's age, as well as the amount of tissue that has been infected. These can limit and in some cases, even eliminate certain options. The basic treatment options for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation
therapy. Each type of treatment incorporates different goals, which can range from the complete removal of malignant cells to the management of pain.

One of the more invasive and "risky" treatments for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma involves the complete removal of the malignant cells and tumor. Surgery can be utilized as a pro-active procedure or a last-ditch effort in an attempt to rid the body of mesothelioma. Unfortunately, this option has not been met with much success due to the fact that peritoneal mesothelioma can spread so rapidly throughout the body. When this measure is taken, it is usually complemented by chemotherapy or radiation.

On the other hand, chemotherapy is a less invasive and more conservative type of treatment. The chemotherapeutic drugs are aimed at killing the malignant (cancerous) cells, which divide at an abnormally quick rate. Unfortunately, this treatment can harm the body because it also kills off various types of health cells that divide rapidly.

Radiation is also a treatment which is designed to kill cancer cells and limit the spread of cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, radiation is commonly used as a stand-alone therapy. There are various treatments available to those who suffer from malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, yet each treatment is designed to accomplish unique tasks.

Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma

2009-10-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

Background:

"Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs." The disease then proceeds to affect the abdomen wall or in this case, the peritoneum. It then goes on to infect a serious of membranes in the region as well as the membranes that enclose several other major organs. Malignant Peritonalesothelioma is most oftenly found in people who have in some way inhaled asbestos particles or other airborn particles at their job or place of residence. Although, there is no connection between mesothelioma and smoking, which is a major factor in lung cancer. While smoking has not been proven to cause malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, it has been found to increase the risk of other asbestos-induce cancer. Of the 2.6 million annually diagnosed cases of mesolthelioma, 15% to 20% are malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Most of the cases involve pleural mesothelioma

Desmoplastic Mesothelioma

2009-10-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

Desmoplastic Mesothelioma:
"Desmoplastic mesothelioma is the growth of fibrous or connective tissues around the tumor of the lining of the lung or chest cavity." This type of mesothelioma, desmoplastic mesothelioma, is a variation of diffuse sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which is extemely rare. Although, just like all of the other forms of mesothelioma, it is caused by asbestos fibers entering the body. From there, the fibers can effect various parts of the body including the abdomen, mesothelium, pleural, and certain parts of the chest. The presence of asbestos fibers results in a large amount of inflamation, which causes a great amount of pain. The asbestos particles also lead to a build-up of fluid. Once the asbestos fibers infect the surrounding area,
they will create a tumor. If the tumor is not benign (i.e. malignant) it will increase its size and spread. If left untreated, it will eventually develop into a metastasis. The tumor then rapidly spreads to the surrounding tissue and organs. The formation of a mestasis is occurs most often in the abdomen, while its not unheard of for the tumor to form elsewhere.

Desmoplastic Mesothelioma Diagnosis:
Although desmoplastic mesothelioma is a very rare form of mesothelioma, it is very aggressive compared to the basic form of the disease; epithelial mesothelioma. Not only can it infect tissue and organs, but it also has the ability attack parts of the body that are difficult to treat such as bone, muscle, cartilage, and fat.Thus it can be very difficult to diagnose, and is often misdiagnosed as benign fibrous tissue. Due to the aggressiveness and common misdiagnosis of desmoplastic mesothelioma, it is a very lethal and dangerous disease.

Mesothelioma Prognosis

2009-10-26T15:59:00.000-07:00

Prognosis:
For a hopeful and promising mesothelioma prognosis, early detection is absolutely critical. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United State each year. In each case, some type of asbestos exposure is discovered and is most likely the cause of the mesothelioma. As of now, it is the only known cause of mesothelioma. A promising mesothelioma prognosis is completely dependent on early detection and a little bit of luck.

Prognosis Factors:
Unfortunately, most cases of mesothelioma are discovered during the later stages of its development. This is due to the fact that most patients are asymptomatic until the the disease has had time to expand and develop. Also, the conditions displayed by those who have mesothelioma are exhibit traits much like those of other conditions. As a result, the prognoses are usually less promising and lead to more invasive options and treatments. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Doctors assign different developments of mesothelioma (and other types of cancer for that matter) in terms of stages, ranging from one to four. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is usually diagnosed during stages 3 and 4, which allows the disease to compromise several parts of the body. Once the disease reaches these stages, the prognosis becomes very bleak. Also, it drastically limits the treatment options. In the latter stages of mesothelioma, surgery is usually ruled out due to the deteriorating health of the patient. Not only that, but the radiation and chemotherapy become less effective due to the advancement of the disease.

-Location of the tumor
-Size of tumor
-Type/Variation of Mesothelioma: pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, or testicular
-Extent of other symptoms
-Whether the patient smokes
-Patient's age and weight

Asbestos Exposure

2009-10-26T14:13:00.000-07:00

"Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral with long thin fibrous crystals." This naturally occurring substance has been used in fire retardant coatings, bricks, pipes, drywall, popcorn ceiling texture, and roofing. Its importance became known during the Industrial Revolution and is now being utilized in various ways. Although this mineral has numerous practical appliances, it does have very hazardous effects on the body. If inhaled, asbestos particles are known to

cause very serious and potentially fatal diseases such as lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Various other minor effects of asbestos exposure include asbestos warts, pleural plaques, and diffuse pleural thickening. While these conditions can all be a results of asbestos exposure, malignant "peritoneal" mesothelioma is the most deadly. Basically, mesothelioma is a lethal cancer that "attacks the membranes around the lungs, the heart, and the abdominal cavity." Of the various forms of this cancer, mesothelioma of the lung is most common. Mesothelioma of the lung, much like that of lung cancer, is a very deadly and underdiagnosed disease because of the very subtle symptoms. Fortunately fo those who have inhaled asbestos fibers, it takes years for the fibers to infect the membranes and then cause fluid accumulation and even tumor development. Asbestos particles are extremely harmful for they can result in the development of lethal diseases.