Mesothelioma 101
Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer and is the most serious of asbestos-related diseases. This cancer is uncommon, but unfortunately no longer rare with thousands of cases being reported each year. Malignant mesothelioma cancer is also both hard to diagnose and responds poorly to therapy.
Like most internal organs a film of mesothelial cells line the chest cavity, abdominal cavity and the cavity around the heart. The layer created by these cells is called a mesothelium.
The mesothelium's role is to help protect internal organs by producing a lubricant that allows them to move. The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura; the mesothelium of the abdomen is called the peritoneum; and, the mesothelium of the cavity around the heart (the pericardial cavity) is called the pericardium.
Tumors of the mesothelium are either
benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignant mesothelium tumor is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because the majority of mesothelial tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often just called mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma was recognized as far back as the 1700's but it was until 1960 that extensive research was conducted. A subsequent report that linked asbestos exposure to mesothelioma detailed cases in South Africa which has been followed by numerous studies from around the world confirming the link.
Although the reported cases of mesothelioma remain relatively low their numbers are increasing (tripled in 14 years) and especially so for people who worked in occupations that are widely accepted as high users of asbestos.
Malignant mesothelioma is categorized to three core types. Around 50% to 70% are epithelioid and have the best survival rate. Then there are the sarcomatoid (7%-20%) and mixed/biphasic (20%-35%) types.
About three-quarters of mesothelioma incidences start in the chest cavity (
pleural mesothelioma). 10% to 20% begin in the abdomen (
peritoneal mesothelioma) while those starting in the heart cavity are rare (pericardial mesothelioma). The covering film on the testicles is an extension of peritoneum into the scrotum and mesothelioma rates here are very rare.
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