Pericardial Mesothelioma: Fast Facts

What is pericardial mesothelioma ?

It is a cancer caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust, and is the most rare of mesothelioma cancers. It accounts for about 5% of all cases.
Its period of latency (time it takes for the symptoms to show) is approximately 30-50 years. Symptoms are similar to other diseases such as pneumonia whilst in the early stages. This makes it rather difficult to diagnose and treat.

What are the treatment options for pericardial mesothelioma ?

There are three options available for an individual diagnosed with this cancer; surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. A patient will first require a doctor's evaluation to determine which treatment option is suitable for him.

What are my chances of survival from pericardial mesothelioma ?

It is important to stress that once you start experiencing the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma (shortness of breath, chest pains, coughing up blood, and palpitations) you should immediately seek specialized help.
The prognosis of pericardial mesothelioma depends largely on how early the cancer is detected. Should you be diagnosed in the later stages of development, your chances of survival could be very slim (usually a few months).

Can you go through each of the treatment options ?

Radiation - large doses of radiation are used to kill the cancerous cells on the pericardium. The disadvantage of using radiation to treat pericardial mesothelioma is that the vital organs close to the heart are also being damaged.

Surgery - this can be divided into two parts; aggressive surgery & palliative procedures. Aggressive surgery involves the removal of the cancerous cells from the pericardium. This procedure is only performed by an extremely skilled surgeon as the cells are usually located in close proximity to the heart and lungs. Any small mishap can have a fatal outcome.
Palliative procedures are used in the latest stages of pericardial mesothelioma. They serve the sole purpose of relieving the symptoms since the cancer is almost incurable at this stage.

Chemotherapy - drugs are used to kill the cancerous cells. Unfortunately, the majority of drugs used to treat pericardial mesothelioma have an extremely low success rate. Pharmaceutical companies are conducting trials to come up with the right combination of drugs that can produce better results for treating pericardial mesothelioma.

You also have dual therapy which is just a combination of the three methods. Cancerous cells are removed by means of surgery, then the remaining cells are killed off by radiation and chemotherapy. Although still dangerous, dual therapy has demonstrated a higher success rate than using the three individual methods alone.

Mesothelioma-The Basics

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is becoming more and more common. The most common cause of this cancer is exposure to asbestos. When constantly exposed with insufficient protection, asbestos dust and fibres affect the mesothelial cells which make up the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the outer lining that protects some of the body’s most vital organs such as the heart and lungs. The mesothelial cells become abnormal after lengthy periods of constant exposure to asbestos causing an array of problems.

Due to the latency period and symptoms of this cancer, mesothelioma is very difficult to diagnose. Mesothelioma takes decades to mature and develop fully and this is why many elderly men who were exposed to asbestos thirty years before are just discovering they have the cancer. A lot of these men are currently lodging multi-million dollar lawsuits against the companies that exposed them to the dangers of asbestos without sufficient protection.

The organs that are affected most by mesothelioma are the lungs. The most common type of mesothelioma which is called pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and can cause symptoms such as coughing, breathing and swallowing difficulties, shortness of breath and fever. Another area that can be affected by mesothelioma is the abdomen. This is less common and this is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include nausea and vomiting, weight loss, fever, bowel obstruction, loss of appetite and general pain in the stomach area. The last and least common type of mesothelioma is known as pericardial mesothelioma and it affects the heart and the tissue surrounding it. Symptoms of this form of the cancer include palpitations, breathing difficulties and persistent coughing. Generally, the symptoms of mesothelioma are typical of many other diseases and this makes it very difficult to diagnose.

There are treatments for mesothelioma although these are usually unsuccessful. If the cancer is treated aggressively in its early stages then there is a good chance of a patient surviving. However, due to the difficulty to diagnose mesothelioma, the cancer is not normally found until it is too late. Treatments that are used for mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy, palliative therapy and chemotherapy. Research for additional treatment of mesothelioma is being done at various cancer centers all over the United States as well as by pharmaceutical companies.

Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon, but no longer rare, cancer that is difficult to diagnose and poorly responsive to therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases.

A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around the heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most internal organs. The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium.

The mesothelium helps protect the organs by producing 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. The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura and the mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity (the "sac-like" space around the heart) is called the pericardium.

Tumors of the mesothelium can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because most mesothelial tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often simply called mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma was recognized as a tumor of the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium in the late 1700's. However it was not until much later, in 1960, that this particular type of tumor was described in more detail and even more importantly, its association with asbestos exposure was recognized. The first report linking mesothelioma to asbestos exposure was written by J.C.Wagner, and described 32 cases of workers in the "Asbestos Hills" in South Africa. Since than the relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure has been confirmed in studies around the world.

The incidence of mesothelioma in the United States remains very low, with 14 cases occurring per million people per year. Despite these numbers the noticed threefold increase in mesothelioma in males between 1970 and 1984, is directly associated with environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos, mostly in areas of asbestos product plants and shipbuilding facilities.

Although the disease is much more commonly seen in 60-year old men, it has been described in women and early childhood as well. The cause of the disease is not so well understood in these latter two groups, but there is some evidence of possible asbestos exposure for some of these cases as well.

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases known to man; the average life span of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 24 months. It's a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year; hard working people who have labored for a lifetime to provide for their families, doing the work that keeps this country running and a great place to live. They worked in factories, at shipyards, in mines, for the US military, as engineers, as pipefitters, as steel workers, as auto mechanics, and in so many other professions. They came home to their loved ones exhausted and covered in dirt and dust; tired, but content that they had a job and were providing for their family. Content that they were putting food on the table and a house over their loved one's heads. Content that they were working to make a better life for their families in this generation and the next...

But what they didn't know was that while they were working so hard, they were not only slowly killing themselves, but those that they were working so hard to help; their family, their loved ones.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women

What Is My Diagnosis?
There are three types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura), peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining surrounding the heart (pericardium). Sub-types (or cell types) of mesothelioma are epithelioid (the most common, and considered the most amenable to treatment), sarcomatous (a much more aggressive form), and biphasic or mixed (a combination of both of the other cell types).

The structural appearance of cells under the microscope determine the cell or sub-type of mesothelioma. Epithelioid is the least aggressive; sarcomatoid, the most aggressive. The biphasic or mixed cell type shows structural elements of both of the other two.

The Hard Truth About Mesothelioma

Recently many individulas have been seeking mesothelioma facts and data. The startling mesothelioma truth is that Mesothelioma Cancer is a uncommon cancer but yearly about 2,000 fresh cases of mesothelioma are named in the U.S. and this number has been unceasingly increasing for the preceding twenty years. At the start mesothelioma was acknowledged as a tumor of the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium. Subsequently, the physicians studied the fact linking mesothelioma malignant neoplastic disease to asbestos exposure. J.C.Wagner published first on mesothelioma by, and accentuated its linkage to asbestos exposure in about thirty-two cases of workers in the "Asbestos Hills" in Republic of South Africa.

On that the fact about kinship between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure was affirmed in different inquiry studies around the world. Mesothelioma is induced because of asbestos exposure and aspiration of asbestos particles. Asbestos was widely utilized in industrial and manufacturing processes and building materials. Building materials like cement, tiles, roofing shingles, pipes, insulation and a lot more, contained asbestos stuffs. The stunning mesothelioma truth is that almost all American buildings built before 1970s bear asbestos material that might pose risks for the residents.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation has issued a fact that, though since 1970s the shelters against asbestos exposure have been in place, the mesothelioma would take thirty to fifty years to be noted. This is because mesothelioma cancer and additional asbestos diseases have a high latent period rate. The asbestos specks can lie inactive in the human body for 30-50 years before evidencing as mesothelioma cancers.

Mesothelioma cancers are of 2 chief types. In pleural mesothelioma, the cancer cells are detected in the sac lining the chest and the peritoneal mesothelioma is detected in the lining of the abdomen. There are uncommon instances of mesothelioma of the lining of hearts and testicles. Mesothelioma is more prevailing in men than in women.

Cognizance about mesothelioma facts is likewise helpful in inducing awareness about symptoms of mesothelioma. This data helps in early detection and well timed treatment of disease. Chest pain that's caused by cancer itself or breathlessness, abdominal pain and swelling, cough, weariness and unexplained weight loss are a few potential symptoms of mesothelioma cancers.

What are Mesothelioma Cancers

Mesothelioma cancers are the cancers that spread in the mesothelium tissues. Mesothelium in general is the name of tissue that forms lining of different body organs such as heart, lungs, abdomen and reproductive organs. The lining around abdominal organs is known as peritoneal membrane. Lining around lungs is called pleural membrane while the lining around heart is called pericardium.

These linings perform two functions. They protect the internal organs by producing a lubricating fluid and to allow the smooth movement of the internal organs. Mesothelioma cancers are the cancers affecting these membranes. The names of the cancers depend on the tissue or linings they affect. Peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma are the names of cancers of linings of abdomen, lungs and heart, respectively. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common of all mesothelioma cancers and is found in 70 % of the mesothelioma patients. Peritoneal mesothelioma constitutes 10% to 20% of the mesothelioma patients while third type pericardial mesothelioma, is rare.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma Cancers

Symptoms of mesothelioma cancers are same as of other common diseases. It makes diagnosis mesothelioma cancers a difficult task. Pain and swelling in abdomen, weakness, loss of weight, loss of appetite and nausea are some symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are persistent cough, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, chest pains, lower back pains and difficulty in swallowing.

History

History of mesothelioma cancers goes back to as far back as 1900s. It took about 60 years to gather sufficient information about these mesothelioma cancers. By the end of sixth decade of last century, experts could conclude that exposure to asbestos particles is the reason behind the disease. J. C. Wagner was first researcher to report 32 cases of mesothelioma cancers and confirmed its association with asbestos exposure.

One alarming fact about the mesothelioma cancers is its extended latency period. These cancers may remain asymptomatic in the body for even up to 50 years. Chances of survival for mesothelioma patients are rare and the average survival period after diagnosis is not more than 12-24 months. Surgery if diagnosed early, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are some common treatments for all types of mesothelioma cancers. People suffering from mesothelioma cancers can file lawsuits to recover damages for medical expenses and other damages. They can file the lawsuits against the persons and companies responsible for causing asbestos exposure.

A Look At What Can Be Done Medically For Mesothelioma

As with any malignant neoplastic disease, handling of Mesothelioma depends upon the area affected by the cancer, the advancement of the disease, the age as well as the wellness of the person to be treated.

It's the oncologist who's specialties in the disease that will determine on the form of discourse. The cancer is hard to address and in many cases the medical prognosis is misfortunate. Discourse choices include:

1. Whenever the diagnosing is complete in the early phases a surgical procedure might be advocated to take out all cancerous tissues. This entails thoracoscopy, VATS or picture assisted thoracic surgery, mediastinoscopy (utilized for presenting), or laproscopy. Frequently, MDs will propose alleviant processes like chest tube drains and pleurodesis, thoracoscopy and pleurodesis, pleuroperitonial shunt, or pleurectomy, which deal with the symptoms of mesothelioma instead of the disease.

2. Radiation therapy is ordered aggressively for mesothelioma victims and is frequently presented in combination with a surgical process or in order to curb symptoms, palliatively. Exploreation on using radiation utilizing implants or ultraviolet light therapy is ongoing as traditional irradiation damages bordering sound tissue.

3. Chemotherapy is an alternative and approximately twelve - twenty% of people respond . Anti-cancer drugs demolish cancer cells and forestall their spread. In mesothelioma, chemotherapy isn't believed to be curative. The intent is to avoid spread of the disease; contract the tumor before surgical procedure, called neoadjuvant therapy; to decimate any remains of the tumor in the body agter surgery; and to alleviate painfulness and additional irritation, palliative chemotherapy. Authorities advocate ordering premetrexed along with cisplastin. These drugs have demonstrated favorable results and this is now the norm for Mesothelioma not treatable by surgical procedure.

4. Biologic therapy utilizing interleukin 2.

5. Immunotherapy where the body’s own immune scheme is aroused to combat the disease. Biologic reaction modifiers, BRMs, are utilized in discourse. These heighten the functions of the immune system; govern metabolic reactions that elevate growth of cancers; change cancer cellular division; impede or invert processes that lead to shaping of cancers; and forestall spread of cancer.

6. Gene therapy, where endeavors are made to rectify the gene sequence that induces the cancer. This is of 2 kinds, replacement gene therapy and knockout gene therapy.

7. Giving medication of lovastatin, a cholesterin lowering drug.

8. Photodynamic treatment where a light-sensitive medication is set off using a laser. This is arranged during the operative removal of cancerous tissues.

9. Draining of fluid in the chest or abdomen accompanied by initiation of medicines into the cavity to forestall fluid assemblage is done for patients who have unrestrained fluid collection and intense uncomfortableness stemming from it.

10. Combining therapy or Trimodal therapy which entails surgical procedure followed by radiation and chemotherapy.

Frequently, complemental medications are also utilized. Termed as holistic this sort of discourse centers on a patient’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual welfare.

In the instance of Mesothelioma which is considered fatal one can choose clinical trials of fresh treatments that are ongoing in several research labs and centers. The finest advice on the line of treatment would be that suggested by the oncologist or MD as each case is different.