What is malignant mesothelioma
What is malignant mesothelioma?
Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that starts in cells in the linings of certain parts of the body, especially the chest or abdomen.
A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the inside of the chest, abdomen and the area around your heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most of your internal organs. Doubled formed by these cells is called mesothelium.
The mesothelium helps protect your organs by making a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. What is malignant mesothelioma, The mesothelium has different names in different parts of the body:
- In the chest it is called the pleura.
- In the abdomen it is called the peritoneum.
- In the space around the heart it is called the pericardium.
- Tumors of the mesothelium can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant)
What is malignant mesothelioma
A cancerous tumor of the mesothelium is called malignant mesothelioma, although it is often reduced to only one mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can begin in four main areas in the body.
- Pleural mesotheliomas start in the chest. They account for about 3 out of 4 mesotheliomas.
- Peritoneal mesotheliomas begin in the abdomen. They make up most of the remaining cases.
- Pericardial mesotheliomas start in the covering around the heart and are very rare.
- Mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis are very rare tumors that start in the covering layer of the testicles, which is actually an outpouching of peritoneum.
What is malignant mesothelioma, Malignant mesotheliomas can also be classified into 4 types based on how the cells are arranged when looked at under a microscope:
- Epithelioid: About 50% to 60% of mesotheliomas are of this type. It tends to have a better outlook (prognosis) than the other types.
- Sarcomatoid (fibrous): About 10% to 20% of mesotheliomas are of this type.
- Mixed (biphasic): These mesotheliomas have both epithelioid and sarcomatoid areas. They make up about 30% to 40% of mesotheliomas.
- Desmoplastic: These are rare.
Benign tumors of the mesothelium
It is important not to confuse malignant mesothelioma with benign tumors that also start in the mesothelium
These benign tumors are usually removed surgically, and generally do not require further treatment.
Adenomatoid tumor
This benign tumor can develop in the mesothelium of certain reproductive organs. In men, it often starts in the epididymis (a small collection of ducts that carry sperm cells out of the testicle). In women, this tumor started in the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus).
Benign cystic mesothelioma
This is another non-cancerous tumor that may begin in mesothelium near female reproductive organs.
Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura
This type of benign tumor can form in the pleura surrounding the lungs. It used to be called benign fibrous mesothelioma, but doctors now know that this tumor actually starts mesothelium and mesothelial cells under the skin. This disease is generally benign, but around January 10 of cancer. A similar condition of the peritoneum is called solitary fibrous tumor of the peritoneum. What is malignant mesothelioma.
