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If you look in a medical dictionary you will read that a disease that affects the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura is called pleural mesothelioma. Often times you may hear physicians describe this type of mesothelioma as cancer of the pleura. A fairly generalized misunderstanding of pleural mesothelioma is that it a form of primary lung cancer and this I not the case.

In actuality, pleural mesothelioma affects the serous membranes of the lungs and thus the cancer settles into these membranes which line a number of organs located around the body’s midsection – including the lungs. What is common about this cancer is that it the serous membranes of the lungs are most often affected and when this occurs, someone is said to have pleural mesothelioma.

It is common to hear the term asbestos related lung cancer. To be scientifically accurate this is a misnomer because mesothelioma does not originate in the lungs – it originates in the lining or membrane surrounding the lungs. A very common confusion is made with the diagnosis called Asbestosis which is a type of asbestos lung disease that does originate in the lungs so it is not surprising it is mistaken for mesothelioma.

As mentioned earlier, the serous membrane can be affected in organs other than the lungs and when this occurs in the abdomen, the disease is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma is another disease caused when the serous membrane surrounding the heart is cancerous. The term secondary lung cancer is used to describe the situation when mesothelioma has spread from the membranes or lining encircling the lung, abdomen or heart organs to the lung itself.

When reading about pleural mesothelioma you will find that another name or description of it is asbestos lung cancer. Again, this is technically inaccurate as pleural mesothelioma does not stem from the lungs but from the membrane surround the lung. Research indicates that 75% of mesothelioma cancers are cases of pleural mesothelioma.

The opportunity for pleural mesothelioma to develop is created by inhaling asbestos fibers which put down roots, so to speak in the lining or pleura of the lungs. As the fibers stay embedded in the membrane they begin to create a situation of chronic inflammation which over times leads to the development off cancer cells and tumors. In some situations this can also lead to asbestosis.

The most common presentation of pleural mesothelioma cancer is seen as multiple tumor growths of the pleura which affect what is called the parietal surface (inside near the lung) and the visceral surface (outside away from the lung). It is more common to find that parietal surface involvement than visceral.

Data indicates there is slightly higher incidence of mesothelioma found in the right lung than the left and it is postulated that this is a result of the inherent larger size of right lungs. There is also data to show that lower lungs have more tumor growths than upper lungs. The theory that explains this is related to gravity and that there is a greater potential for the asbestos fibers to settle lower in the lungs.

Unfortunately, mesothelioma is a disease that can take decades to be discovered thus, because of this lengthy latency period, by the time a patient is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, the tumor growths are quite large. Because of the advanced development and size of these tumors, the lungs have become completed destroyed by them and the tumors may have progressed from the pleura of the lung to the heart and abdomen. It is not uncommon for this volatile disease to even attack the body’s lymph node and blood systems.

Chest pain is by and large the most frequent symptom of pleural mesothelioma. The pain though frequently is not directly linked with the lung pleura but will appear to generate from the shoulder or upper abdomen. Another typical symptom of pleural meothelioma is shortness of breath described as dyspnea. A cough may occur as well as weight loss to the point of anorexia in particular patients.

As the pleural mesothelioma cancer tumors develop quickly and increase the pleural space, it begins to collect fluid which causes discomfort or pain. This pain is often the catalyst that sends someone to their physician for help and what sets up the situation for the diagnosis of the disease.

There is an assortment of treatment options and more are being developed these include: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Histopathology Lung, pleura–Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that affects the serous membranes surrounding the major organs of the body i.e. the lungs, heart and the abdominal organs, causing these vital organs to inflate with excessive fluid. This fluid further causes the improper functioning of the organs. The only known cause of this cancerous tumor is asbestos exposure. In this disease, malignant cells are built up in the protective linings (serous membranes) of several internal organs known as mesothelium. Different organs in the abdomen cavity can get affected by mesothelioma because of the presence of the protective linings surrounding them. The most common types of mesothelioma include:

* Pleural Mesothelioma,

* Peritoneal Mesothelioma, and

* Pericardial Mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma:

Pleural Mesothelioma is a tumor in which the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura, gets affected by malignant cells. The pleura is a soft protective tissue that surrounds the lungs in the chest cavity. It helps the lungs in breathing (respiration) by producing a serous fluid that lubricates the pleural surfaces to avoid the teasing of the lungs against the chest wall. The malignant cells, once entered the pleura, begin to spread and affect the surrounding organs and tissues. This leads to further complications resulting pain and severe symptoms.

Mesothelioma affecting pleura is of two categories:

Diffused or Malignant (Cancerous):

It is the serious form of pleural mesothelioma that affects the pleural lining of the lungs and its surrounding organs.

Localized and Benign (Non-cancerous):

It is the non-cancerous form of mesothelioma, which does not affect all parts of the body except the pleura. However, it constricts the lung causing shortness of breath, and in some severe cases, pneumothorax (lung failure).

Peritoneal Mesothelioma:

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a tumor of the peritoneum membrane or the abdomen lining, affecting many organs in the abdominal cavity including stomach. This form of mesothelioma cancer is less common than the pleural form but is more aggressive, resulting severe symptoms and short life expectancy. Like many other cancers, peritoneal mesothelioma can also be either malignant or benign.

Pericardial Mesothelioma:

Pericardial or Pericardium Mesothelioma is the rarest form of cancer, counting less than 10% of mesothelioma cases. In this form of cancer, fluid gets accumulated in the sac that encloses the heart. The main cause of this disease is the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Due to the rarity of this disease, doctors and researchers have not clearly understood how the asbestos fibers enter the heart lining or pericardium. The only logical explanation so far about this form of cancer is the possibility of the asbestos fibers, converted into tiny pieces, transported from the lung into the heart by means of blood circulation. Once the asbestos fibers enter the heart, they expand the tissues in the chest cavity and the pericardium with excessive liquid, disrupting the working of the heart and causing chest pains with breathing disorders.

Each year, approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed. At some point of their lives, the patients of mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos that later cause the hideous cancer of mesothelioma. If you, at some point of your life, have worked in an asbestos-rich environment or used any asbestos materials, you should contact a mesothelioma doctor for correct diagnosis and best treatment options available.

Malignant mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma cancer is a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lung (pleura), the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and the lining of the heart (pericardium). The most familiar type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, while pericardial mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma are less frequent. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, although other factors such as smoking may result in additional complications.

Smoking modern cigarettes does not seem to enlarge the risk of mesothelioma. Simian virus 40 (SV40) may act as a cofactor in the development of mesothelioma. There are five common types of mesothelioma. Four of are malignant cancers, and one is a benign condition. Pleural Mesothelioma type of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma. Peritoneal Mesothelioma form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity. Pericardial Mesothelioma form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium.

Testicular Mesothelioma is the infrequent type of malignant mesothelioma; to date, there have been less than 100 proof cases. Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles. Benign Mesothelioma benign form of mesothelioma most commonly develops in the pleura. This is the only form of mesothelioma for which full cure and recovery is a probable outcome, though it may be a precursor of future asbestos-related problems. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.

Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may comprise bowel obstruction, blood clotting irregularities, anemia, and fever. Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the sites of the cancer, the phase of the disease, and the patient’s age and normal health. Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed. Radiotherapy may be used as part of treatment to try to cure mesothelioma.

If you go to the library, or do an internet search on the term pleural mesothelioma, you will discover that pleural mesothelioma is a disease affecting the lining of the lungs, or the lung pleura. If you research beyond the definition you will find out that doctors often refer to pleural mesothelioma as a cancer of the pleura. Mesothelioma data indicates that 75% of all mesothelioma cancers are of the pleural mesothelioma type.

There is fairly rampant misunderstanding that pleural mesothelioma is not cancer. Well, this is an inaccurate perception. Pleural mesothelioma is a not only a form of lung cancer, it is a deadly form of the disease. Pleural mesothelioma is caused by a disruption in the ordinary functioning of the serous membranes of the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma cancer attacks the serous membranes that surround a number of the organs located in the midsection of the body including the lungs.

It is becoming more common everyday to hear the term asbestos related lung cancer. This is pleural mesothelioma. The increase in awareness is happening because mesothelioma is preventable by avoiding exposure to asbestos or related products. Many employers though, chose not to discontinue the use of asbestos and related products thus, in actuality, caused employees to become at risk for developing some form of mesothelioma.

If you know someone or you yourself have mesothelioma, contact a mesothelioma attorney or lawyer as soon as possible. A mesothelioma lawyer will determine if it is appropriate to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. If the lawsuit is found in your favor, a mesothelioma settlement will be determined.

Now back to pleural mesothelioma, to be absolutely accurate the term asbestos related lung cancer is not scientifically appropriate. The rub comes in the fact that mesothelioma is a cancer of the membrane that lines the outside of lungs, not the lungs per se. There is an even more complicated distinction to be made between pleural mesothelioma and a condition known Asbestosis. Asbestosis is a kind of asbestos-related lung disease that does not start off in the lungs. It sort of migrates to the lungs from another organ. Only a physician can make the distinction between the two situations.

The serous membrane, mentioned earlier, is a part of the lining of other organs and when the serous of an organ in the abdomen is affected by mesothelioma, the diagnosis will be peritoneal mesothelioma. Another form of asbestos related cancer, or mesothelioma, is pericardial mesothelioma which is caused when the serous membrane which surrounds the heart has asbestos related cancer.

When you read about or hear the term secondary lung cancer, it is being used to describe the situation when mesothelioma has proliferated from the membranes or lining encircling the lung, abdomen or heart organs to the lung itself.

If you continue to read more about pleural mesothelioma, you will uncover another name or description of it is asbestos lung cancer. This term is also technically inaccurate because, as indicated before pleural mesothelioma does not begin in the lungs but it begins in the serous membrane that surrounds the lung.

Simply put, pleural mesothelioma is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Once these fibers are in the body they take root, in a manner of speaking, in the lining or the pleura of the lungs. The longer the asbestos fibers are rooted in the serous membrane the more likely a chronic inflammation will occur. This inflammation over time leads to the growth of other cancer cells and tumors. In some situations this condition also results in the development of asbestosis.

It is quite common to find pleural mesothelioma presenting itself with numerous tumors in the pleura. When these tumors grow large enough, they begin to affect the parietal surface which is an area inside and near the lung. They can also affect the visceral surface or area outside and away from the lung. It is most common to find parietal surface involvement.

Chest pain is the most frequent symptom of pleural mesothelioma.

Other symptoms include: shortness of breath or dyspnea, coughing and weight loss. Because the tumors associated with pleural mesothelioma develop quickly and increase the pleural space, the affected area of the body begins to collect fluid which causes significant discomfort and/or excruciating pain. It is this pain that is often the reason an individual decides to see their physician for help. This visit is most generally the catalyst for the diagnosis of the disease.