Introduction

Mesothelioma Article – What Is Mesothelioma ?

Types Of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can be classified into two major groups, benign and malignant. Malignant mesothelioma is organized into four main categories based on the location of the tumor: Rarely mesothelioma is diagnosed in both the pleural and peritoneal cavity but may be found more often as the disease process progresses.

1. Pleural – found in the chest cavity, on the surface of the lung and on the diaphragm,
2. Peritoneal – found in the abdomen on the surface of the omentum and visceral organs,
3. Pericardial – growing on the exterior surface of the pericardium, or lining of the heart, and
4. Testicular – noted as a thickening of the ducts and glands in the testes.

Each of these categories of mesothelioma is further divided into one of three subtypes, epithelial, sarcomatoid or mixed.

Among the total spectrum of asbestos patients there are a smaller number of cases with different cancers, such as lung cancer and metastatic cancer of the liver, kidneys, bones and other organs.

In addition, sarcomatous varieties have been judged to be extremely aggressive, and can be associated with intracranial metastases – brain tumors. There are also benign mesothelial proliferations and well differentialed papillary mesothelioma that are of low malignant potential.

The diagnosis should be confirmed by an experienced pathologist as in many cases a more virulent form of the disease can be mixed in with this seemingly benign process. In most cases these tumors are of low malignant potential and are treated only when they begin to cause symptoms and most often with surgery as a single modality.

mesothelioma article