There Are Two Main Types Of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, like other forms of cancer, can be divided into two groups: benign and malignant.

Benign mesothelioma refers to non-cancerous tumors usually develop in the (cell lining around the lungs), pleura. The main difference between the benign or malignant, is that the former does not spread to other tissues. But the symptoms of benign and malignant forms is the same and it is often difficult to distinguish between the two, except through the lung biopsies. But less than 10% of mesothelioma cases are benign. In half the cases of malignant mesothelioma, there are no symptoms at all.

Patients can learn about the disease through routine X-ray scans of the lungs. In the other half, the symptoms of malignant mesothelioma include chest pain, chronic cough and fever. However, the most distinguished feature is the presence of the club in the fingers. This occurs when the oxygen level in blood drops to the distorted angles of the nail bed. Benign mesothelioma treatment is relatively easy. This is the surgical removal of tumors. Patients should continue to have regular checkups and chest X-rays to ensure that malignant mesothelioma develops in its malignant form.

Malignant mesothelioma is the most common form of the disease. This type of mesothelioma can be divided in the place where malignant tumors arise or the type of cancer cell production. Salary at the location of cancer offers three types of mesothelioma cancer:

(I) of malignant pleural mesothelioma: This occurs in the protective lining and cavity of the lungs. Most symptoms associated with it are due to the accumulation of fluid between the chest cavity and the lining of the lungs (called pleural effusion). This results in difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, persistent cough, coughing up blood and fever. This is the most common form of mesothelioma cancer, or 75% of all cases

(Ii) peritoneal mesothelioma: the development of cancer of the stomach and abdomen. The cancer usually starts in the abdomen and spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms due to pressure of the tumor in the abdomen and stomach, causing abdominal pain, swelling, loss of appetite, vomiting, breathing problems, anemia and a host of other symptoms. Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts in 10-20% of mesothelioma cases.

(Iii) pericardial mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the heart chamber. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations. This is the rarest form of mesothelioma, accounting for less than 10% of cases.

Another way to classify mesothelioma is through this type of cancer cells that arise. There are basically two types of mesothelioma cells: epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid cells occurs in the lining of the organs alone. The chances of survival are higher with this type of cancer. Sarcomatoid cells are difficult to treat because it affects the secondary tissues such as bones, muscles, cartilage ... etc. This type of cancer rarely responds to any type of treatment. In cases where the two cell types occurs, it is known as biphasic mesothelioma.