Key Takeaways: There are different kinds of mesothelioma that are characterized by which areas of the mesothelium are affected and to what extent. There are mesothelial tissues around the lungs, abdomen, heart, and testes that can be affected. It’s important to know the causes and risk factors associated with a mesothelioma diagnosis; you can find information on that here. You can also find symptoms here.
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM)
You can find information about the risk factors associated with pleural mesothelioma here. You can also find general FAQs about pleural mesothelioma here.
This is the most common manifestation of mesothelioma. It affects ~2,000-3,000 people in the United States annually, and in other areas of the world, this number is significantly higher. In Western Europe, the rate of diagnosis is ~5,000 per year. While mesothelioma is relatively rare and the main material known to be correlated with its onset (asbestos) is being regulated, it is still a serious issue that people deserve answers and justice for. You can read about asbestos here. Pleural mesothelioma is a malignant cancer of the pleural mesothelium. (The mesothelium, which will be a term that is consistently referred to, is a collection of tissues that line serous cavities. These cavities are filled with serous fluid, which lubricates the spaces between organs. These cavities also have immune functions, which means that they assist the immune system with the creation and propagation of certain immune cells and responses.) The pleural mesothelium refers to the mesothelial tissue that surrounds the lungs in the chest cavity. This is the most common form of mesothelioma, accounting for around 50-70% of all mesothelioma cases.
There are certain biomarkers for pleural mesothelioma, like elevated protein levels associated with malignant growths. For this reason, MPM can usually be caught somewhat earlier than the other manifestations of mesothelioma. Treatment for pleural mesothelioma includes clinical trials, surgical removal of tumors (cytoreduction), immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and palliative care.
Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
This is the second most common manifestation of mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma diagnoses constitute approximately 10-20% of all mesothelioma diagnoses. The peritoneal mesothelium lines the abdominal cavity and lubricates and facilitates the movement of the abdominal organs. This kind of mesothelioma is usually associated with ingestion of asbestos, whether orally or through inhalation. Asbestos disrupts the healthy functioning of the serous cavity surrounding abdominal organs.
The most common treatment plan for peritoneal mesothelioma is cytoreduction, or a surgery to remove the tumor(s) from the abdomen. This is usually followed up with or accompanied by immunotherapy or chemotherapy.
Malignant Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is a malignant cancer of the serous membrane surrounding the heart. It is exceptionally rare in that it accounts for about 1-2% of all mesothelioma diagnoses. It usually presents as a tumor on or near the heart and can only be diagnosed via autopsy. There are no differential symptoms that might set this apart from pericarditis, which is inflammation of the pericardial membrane–the membrane that envelops and protects the heart. It’s important to see a healthcare provider if you feel any chest pain, whether around the lungs or the heart. Treatment for pericardial mesothelioma is usually cytoreduction to remove the affected tissues and replace them with artificial mesothelium.
Malignant Testicular Mesothelioma
This is the rarest manifestation of mesothelioma, which develops in the tunica vaginalis, or the serous membrane surrounding the testes. Testicular mesothelioma is diagnosed with histopathological techniques, meaning that its tests are similar to a micro-level autopsy. Because it’s such a rare diagnosis, more common diagnoses need to be ruled out first. (Like pericardial mesothelioma, there’s about 1-2% chance of mesothelioma manifesting in the tunica vaginalis.) Treatment for testicular mesothelioma is usually orchiectomy, which is a surgical removal of one or both testes, depending on the extent of the cancer’s spread.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please call The Halpern Law Firm at (800) 505-6000. We are here to help you navigate the legal process of filing a claim to receive compensation for your cancer diagnosis. We help mesothelioma victims and their families in Pennsylvania.
Sources:
- Cleveland Clinic. “Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Staging, Symptoms & Causes.” Accessed January 11, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23973-peritoneal-mesothelioma.
- Godar, Mohit, Jianhua Liu, Pengguo Zhang, Yang Xia, and Qinghai Yuan. “Primary Pericardial Mesothelioma: A Rare Entity.” Case Reports in Oncological Medicine 2013 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/283601.
- Shaker, Nada, Heath Blankenship, Nuha Shaker, Ruwaida Ben Musa, Shuo Niu, Alaaeddin Alrohaibani, Ibrahim Mansoor, Rafat Abu Shakra, and Omar P. Sangueza. “Malignant Para-Testicular Mesothelioma: A Rare Presentation in the Tunica Vaginalis of an Elderly Male With No Prior Asbestos Exposure.” International Journal of Surgical Pathology, January 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/10668969231215426.
- Tsao, Anne S., Ignacio Wistuba, Jack A. Roth, and Hedy Lee Kindler. “Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.” Journal of Clinical Oncology 27, no. 12 (April 20, 2009): 2081–90. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2008.19.8523
Written By Carina Filemyr
