Mesothelioma Types And Symptoms

Types and Symptoms

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, representing about 75 percent of cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type, consisting of about 10 to 20 percent of cases. Approximately 1 percent of cases are of the pericardial variety. Another rare type known as testicular mesothelioma represents less than 1 percent of cases.

Pleural

This type forms in the lining of the lungs, and its increased incidence has allowed more studies to improve treatment methods and survival rates.


                               


Peritoneal

Developing in the lining of the abdominal cavity, peritoneal mesothelioma responds best to a combination of surgery and heated chemotherapy.
                             



Pericardial

Emerging from the lining of the heart, pericardial mesothelioma is the most challenging to treat because of the proximity of the tumors to the heart.
                             


Mesothelioma Symptoms

Because early symptoms of mesothelioma are so mild, few people notice or recognize them, and many don’t experience any symptoms until later stages of the cancer. Fatigue and slight pain around the tumor may surface in early stages. Late-stage malignant mesothelioma symptoms are more noticeable and commonly provoke someone to visit the doctor. These late-onset symptoms can include shortness of breath, chronic pain near the tumor, weight loss, fluid buildup or bowel obstruction. Effective therapies are available to relieve symptoms, and some treatments, like talc pleurodesis, can even prevent symptom recurrence.