What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma starts in cells in the linings of certain parts of the body, such as the chest or abdomen. A layer of special cells called mesothelial cells lines the abdomen, inside of the chest and the space around the heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most of the internal organs. Mesothelium is the lining formed by these cells. The mesothelium helps to protect the organs by making a special lubricating fluid which allows organs to move around. This fluid also makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. When in different parts of the body the mesothelium has different names such as in the chest it is called the pleura, in the abdomen it is called the peritoneum and it is called the pericardium in the space around the heart. Tumors of the mesothelium can be non cancerous or cancerous.

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor of the mesothelium, although this is often shortened to mesotheliom it can start in four main areas in the body. Pleural mesotheliomas start in the chest. They account for about three out of four mesotheliomas. Peritoneal mesotheliomas make up most of the remaining cases and they begin in the abdomen. Pericardial mesotheliomas start in the covering around the heart and are very rare. Mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis are very rare tumors and they start in the covering layer of the testicles which is actually an out pouching of peritoneum. Malignant mesotheliomas can also be divided into four types such as Epithelioid, Sarcomatoid, Mixed and Desmoplastic based on how the cells are arranged when checked via a microscope. About 50% to 60% of the above disease is Epithelioid and it tends to have a better outlook and a prognosis than the other types. About 10% to 20% of mesotheliomas are Sarcomatoid (fibrous). Mixed (biphasic) mesotheliomas have both sarcomatoid and epithelioid areas and they make up about 30% to 40% of mesotheliomas. Desmoplastics are very rare.

Benign tumors of the mesothelium also start in the mesothelium. Malignant mesothelioma should not be confused with benign tumors. These benign tumors can be removed by surgery and usually there is no need for additional treatment. Benign tumor may evolve in the mesothelium of certain reproductive organs. Benign tumor often starts in the epididymis (the small collection of ducts that carry sperm cells out of the testicle) in men. This tumor may begin in the fallopian tubes of women that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus or womb. Benign cystic mesothelioma is another non cancerous tumor that usually begins in mesothelium near reproductive organs of the female body.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura of benign tumor can form in the pleura which is surrounding the lungs. It used to be called benign fibrous mesothelioma, but doctors now identify that this tumor generally starts from tissue under the mesothelium and not from mesothelial cells. This disease usually called benign, but around one in ten are cancerous. A similar disease starting in the peritoneum is called solitary fibrous tumor of the peritoneum. Mesothelioma is quite rare but about 3,000 new cases of these are diagnosed every year in the United States. In the United States the rate of this increased from the 1970s to the early 1990s and later it has slowly decreased. The changes have mainly been seen in men, and as per researches if was found to be related to changes in workplace exposures to asbestos. The rate of mesothelioma in women is lower compared to men and has been quite steady for some time. In most of other countries, the rate of this is still increasing. Mesothelioma is higher and more common in whites and Hispanics groups and Latinos than in African Americans or Asian Americans.

The early symptoms of the disease generally not specific to the disease so people often ignore them or mistake them for common and minor ailments. Most people with the above disease have symptoms for at least a month before they are properly diagnosed. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma of the chest can be like a pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest, shortness of breath, cough, fever, sweating, fatigue, weight loss, trouble in swallowing, hoarseness, swelling of the face and the arms and muscle weaknesses. The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can be such as abdominal or belly pain, swelling or fluid in the abdomen, weight loss and nausea and vomiting. The signs and symptoms above can be caused by this disease, but also they are more often caused by other conditions. Even though if a person have any of these problems like especially if he/she has been exposed to asbestos, it is very important to see the doctor right away so the cause can be found for mesothelioma to cure soon.