Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon tumor arising from the mesothelial cells of pleura. This tumor can be found on pleura, pericardium or peritoneum. It is very often caused by asbestos exposure.

Contents 1 Pathology 2 Clinical notes 2.1 Epidemiology 2.2 Patient history 2.3 Symptoms 2.4 Diagnostic 2.5 Treatment 2.6 Notes 3 Links 3.1 Related articles 3.2 External links 3.3 References

edit Pathology

The mesothelioma can be macroscopically:

• diffuse mesothelioma;
• localized mesothelioma.

Microscopically it can be:

• epithelial mesothelioma – contents mostly epithelial (cellular) component;
• fibrous mesothelioma – contents mostly fibrous spindle cell–like component;
• mixed mesothelioma – contents both of these components.

edit Clinical notes

edit Epidemiology

Mesothelioma is uncommon. The incidence is 2,000-3,000 new cases every year in United States (compared with lung cancer: 222,000 new cases per year in USA). Up to 80% patients suffering from the mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at work. Average survival time is only about one year. ^[1]

edit Patient history

Mesothelioma can be occupational disease, because it is asbestos related disease.

• Asbestos exposure: workers in the manufacture of asbestos products, asbestos miners and millers, construction traders, power plant workers, boilermakers, shipyard workers, firefighters, even teachers and veterans. ^[2]

Mesothelioma is a late consequence of asbestos exposure. Can be found even more than 50 years after exposure!

edit Symptoms

• Major symptoms are chest pain and shortness of breath.^[3]
• Other symptoms could be persistent cough, anemia, weight loss, fever, abdominal pain and swelling. ^[4]

edit Diagnostic

• physical examination, lung function tests;
• X–ray;
• CT or MRI;
• thoracoscopy and pleural biopsy;
• definitive diagnosis is based on microscopical examination of the biopsy by pathologist!

edit Treatment

The options are surgical resection of tumor or chemotherapy or radiation, or their combination. Unfortunately the mesothelioma is diagnosed in an advanced stage, which causes only one year average survival time. The treatment depends on patient's overall health (if the mesothelioma can be found 50 years after asbestos exposure at work, you can expect advanced age of the patient...).

edit Notes

Other asbestos exposure related diseases are:

• asbestosis;
• lung cancer.

edit Links

edit Related articles

• Asbestos
• Asbestosis

edit External links

• [American lung association, Mesothelioma]
• [Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)]

edit References

1. ↑ American Lung Association. Understanding Mesothelioma [online]. The last revision 2011, [cit. 2011-07-30]. <http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/mesothelioma/understanding-mesothelioma.html>.
2. ↑ The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). What are High Risk Occupations? [online]. The last revision 2010, [cit. 2011-07-30]. <http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/educational-resources/exposed-to-asbestos/>.
3. ↑ KASPER, Dennis L – FAUCI, Anthony S – LONGO, Dan L, et al. Harrison's principles of Internal Medicine. 16th edition. New York : McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc, 2005. 2607 pp. pp. 1567. ISBN 0-07-139140-1.
4. ↑ American Lung Association. Mesothelioma - Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment [online]. The last revision 2011, [cit. 2011-07-30]. <http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/mesothelioma/symptoms-diagnosis.html>.