Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma

Overview of the Abdominal Cavity:

To understand appropriately, what exactly peritoneal mesothelioma is, one must first understand the construction of the abdominal cavity, and all of its membranes, organs and linings.
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Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer that is a result of asbestos exposure. Pleural (also referred to as ‘pleura’) Mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs. When the cancer develops in other cavities and organ linings of a persons’ body, it is then referred to as another form of mesothelioma; usually named by the type of organ cavity or lining it affects. However, Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer affecting nearly 75% or more of all Mesothelioma patients.
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Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma

^{About Pericardial Mesothelioma}

Pericardial mesothelioma is another type of cancer that is a result of some form of asbestos contact.

One of the rarest types of mesothelioma cancers is pericardial mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma is usually a result of a long term exposure to asbestos. The pericardium plays a significant role to the body because it is what safeguards the heart, with a lining filled with fluids.. This lining is acts as a cushion for the heart, keeping it safely in protected inside the chest cavity and preventing the heart from excess expansion. Pericardial tumors generally spread to cover the majority of the heart and are very rarely form in only one particular location on the heart.

^Symptoms:

It can take many years for symptoms to appear, like most other mesothelioma cancers do. Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are similar to other types of heart disorders and diseases, which make it difficult to diagnose and treat the mesothelioma quickly. Several diagnostic tests are required to rule out any other heart condition and pinpoint pericardial mesothelioma as the problem.

The most common symptom of pericardial mesothelioma is an increase and thickening of the lining around the heart, itself. Other common symptoms include:

× Dyspnea along with Orthopnea (trouble breathing, even in the resting position.)

× Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat or Heart palpitations)

× Murmurs (audible heart sounds resulting from unstable blood flow- murmurs can be present in healthy hearts as well)

× Coughing (with no symptoms associated with a common cold, influenza, bronchitis, allergies, or any other illness which symptoms include coughing)
Chest pain

× Fatigue (extreme exhaustion)

× night sweats with or without Fever

Pericardial mesothelioma has been known to result from asbestos fibers, although the manner that the asbestos results in the growth of pericardial mesothelioma remains an unknown area.

It has been concluded that the fibers become trapped in the pericardial membranes, surrounding the heart, somehow. When these fibers become stuck it becomes very difficult to remove them and therefore the fibers remain trapped in the pericardial membranes and over several years these fibers can change the cells of the pericardium membranes to change. These abnormal cells most often will result in cancer (mesothelioma). These newly formed cancer cells divide more quickly than normal cells. Malignant tumors are created when these cancerous cells result in an unusual thickening of the pericardial membranes. This thickening of fluids in the pericardial membranes will increase the fluids in the pericardial layers. The thickening of the fluids in the membranes and the two layers of the pericardium, together, add extra pressure on the heart.

^Diagnosis

It is quite simply put, extremely difficult to receive a quick diagnosis. It is so difficult because of the lack of specific symptoms of this particular type of cancer. To obtain an appropriate diagnosis, the patients’ medical history, symptoms and existing medical conditions must be reviewed. Initially, the patients’ physician will conduct a complete physical exam and discuss the patients’ previous medical history. Image testing will be required to conclude a diagnosis of mesothelioma and to obtain imaging of the location of the cancer. MRI’s (Magnetic resonance imaging) has, so far, proven to be the most useful for evaluating the development of the disease. A biopsy is then conducted to determine the location of the cancer and where it has originated from. The biopsy often will include removal of a sample of the pericardial membrane fluids, which are then sent for laboratory testing.

Currently, there have been less than 150 pericardial mesothelioma have been reported in medical literature. And a mere 200 cases of pericardial mesothelioma have been reported globally. Pericardial mesothelioma cancers make up an estimated half (1/2) of all pericardial tumors and is exceedingly rare.  Most notably, those who have had contact with asbestos or asbestos fibers more than thirty (30) years ago are most at risk for mesothelioma and other health conditions that can eventually be fatal.

^Treatment

The outcome for those with pericardial mesothelioma is, sadly, fatal and sedating treatment is more often than not the only alternative for those who have been identified as having pericardial mesothelioma. Patients with pericardial mesothelioma are not good candidates for surgery, so, basically the only option is for the doctor to try to improve the patient’s quality of life, and reduce the painful symptoms. In some patients, removing some of the excess fluid through a technique known as ‘Fine needle aspiration’ will helps to alleviate the tremendous pressure on the heart, and results in somewhat less pain for the patient, but is only a temporary relief.   Radiation therapy can also help patients with pericardial mesothelioma, but is often excluded, due to the closeness of the heart with the lungs and the dangers involved.
Pericardial mesothelioma treatment is more or less simply soothing and pain killing (also known as palliative treatment). Approximately 50 to 60% of patients with pericardial mesothelioma lives are taken by this form of cancer within six (6) months of the initial diagnosis. It is extremely rare for a persons’ life to continue beyond six (6) months.

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