What is the meaning of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma may be either ‘malignant’ – cancerous or ‘benign’ – non cancerous by nature. As mesothelioma does affect the ‘mesothelium’, so called “mesothelioma”. What exactly the mesothelium?

One kind of tissue lined with particular cells referred as mesothelial cells is the mesothelium. These mesothelial cells normally line the heart cavity, abdominal cavity, chest cavity and the outer most surface of most inner organs. Every cavity is having a particular name for the mesothelial enclosed cavity that is –

‘Pleura’ – chest cavity
‘Peritoneum’ – abdominal cavity
‘Pericardium’ – heart cavity

The mesothelium is having a particular function in the body. The mesothelium generates a lubricating fluid which allows for easy movement of organs. Such as the pleural mesothelium, allows for the easy movement of the lungs with each breath that is took in. Without this, it would be difficult and painful to breath.

Many times malignant mesothelioma is referred as simply, – mesothelioma. There are 3 major types of malignant mesothelioma ranked from less probable to more generally seen:

Mixed / Biphasic
Sarcomatoid
Epithelioid

Most commonly malignant mesothelioma starts from the chest cavity (-pleural mesothelioma). Almost 10 to 20 percent of the cases of malignant mesothelioma will be started from the abdominal cavity surrounded to heart 9-pericardial mesothelioma).

Statistics of Malignant Mesothelioma


The very rare type of cancer is mesothelioma that is estimated to affect 2,000 to 3,000 recently diagnosed cases yearly in the United States. The united State has reported an improved rate of mesothelioma from 1970 to 1990, that has been stabilized currently and probably decreased. Though, European countries are continuously seen an increase in the mesothelioma rate.

Mesothelioma has been observed in the age group of 65 years and above, however increases as age increases. Mesothelioma has been seen affecting 5 times more to men than women. Mesothelioma is more widespread in the ‘Caucasian nationality’ than ‘African American’.

Mesothelioma is a very severe kind of cancer. Symptoms normally don’t show in premature stage, hence causing mesothelioma to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. Due to this, mesothelioma has a very low endurance rate which is around 1 to 2 years. Though, cancer research is gradually changing this statistics.
source: newmesotheliomapatient[dot]com