Mesothelioma What To Know About it
Mesothelioma What To Know About it
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer primarily originating in the mesothelium, a thin protective lining that covers various internal organs. Although it most frequently affects the pleura, the lining surrounding the lungs, it can also arise in the linings of the abdomen, heart, or testicles, leading to various manifestations depending on the location.
Mesothelioma can develop in different parts of the body based on which mesothelial lining is affected. The most common type is pleural mesothelioma, accounting for approximately 75 to 80 per cent of all cases. The second most prevalent type is peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen and pelvic cavities. This form constitutes about 10 to 20 per cent of mesothelioma cases.
Mesothelioma symptoms largely depend on the affected area of the body, but several general clinical manifestations are common. Patients often experience systemic symptoms such as fever, night sweats, fatigue, and unintended weight loss. Respiratory symptoms dominate pleural mesothelioma, with persistent coughing, shortness of breath (dyspnea), chest pain, and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) being prevalent.
Mesothelioma treatment is multifaceted and heavily influenced by the specific type, stage, and patient health status. Given its aggressive nature and late detection, mesothelioma is rarely cured by a single treatment modality; instead, combinations are employed to manage the disease. Surgery remains a cornerstone in cases where the tumour is localised and the patient is a suitable candidate. Surgical options include extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), which involves removal of the affected lung and surrounding tissues; pleurectomy with decortication, targeting removal of the pleura and visible tumors; cytoreductive surgery, especially for peritoneal mesothelioma to debulk tumors in the abdomen; and pericardiectomy, which removes the lining of the heart in pericardial mesothelioma cases. Immunotherapy has emerged as a significant advancement, enhancing the body’s immune response to recognize and target cancer cells more effectively. Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab and ipilimumab are increasingly used, particularly for pleural mesothelioma.
READ ALSO; Mesothelioma Lawyer | How to find them
What Is Mesothelioma?
A rare type of cancer called mesothelioma usually begins in the lining surrounding your lungs. It may also originate in the sac or lining surrounding your heart, testicles, or abdomen. The symptoms include coughing, night sweats, chest pain, shortness of breath, and intestinal problems. Radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgery are among the available treatments.
Types of mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the lungs. Other varieties consist of:
- Peritoneal mesothelioma. This affects the lining of your abdominal and pelvic cavities. It’s the second most common type of mesothelioma.
- Pericardial mesothelioma. This affects the sac around your heart. It’s extremely rare.
- Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis (paratesticular mesothelioma). This affects the lining around your testicles. It’s also extremely rare.
Symptoms of mesothelioma
Symptoms of mesothelioma depend on where it is in your body. They include:
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Unintended weight loss
- Chest or abdominal pain
- Respiratory symptoms, like worsening shortness of breath (dyspnea), cough and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Digestive symptoms, like diarrhoea, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
- Cardiovascular symptoms, like low blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms
- Swelling, lumps or pain in your scrotum or groin
How doctors diagnose mesothelioma
To diagnose mesothelioma, your doctor may order the following tests based on your symptoms and medical history:
- Blood tests
- Lung function tests
- Imaging tests, including chest X-rays and CT scans
- PET (positron emission tomography) scans to determine if there are tumours in other parts of your body
- Draining fluid from your pleural or abdominal cavity (thoracentesis or paracentesis) to look for cancer cells (cytology)
Biopsy
How is mesothelioma treated?
Usually, mesothelioma cannot be cured by a single treatment. The type of mesothelioma you have will determine your treatment options. Among the possibilities are:
- Surgery. Surgery could include extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), pleurectomy with decortication (which removes your pleura and the tumour), cytoreduction or pericardiectomy.
- Immunotherapy. These treatments strengthen the ability of your immune system to recognise and eliminate cancerous cells.
- Targeted therapies. You might have genetic changes in your tumour cells that targeted therapies can treat.
- Radiation therapy. Radiation uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells.
- Clinical trials. Your provider might recommend clinical trials of medications that researchers are still testing for effectiveness.
Mesothelioma is a rare but highly aggressive cancer originating in the mesothelial linings of various organs, most commonly the lungs and abdomen. For additional information visit here
RELATED ARTICLE