What Is Mesothelioma Cancer?
Mesothelioma (malignant mesothelioma) cancer is a rare form of the disease that develops from mesothelium cells. Mesothelium is the protective lining that coats many internal organs of the body.
The two main forms of mesothelioma are pleural, which is in the outer lung lining and internal chest wall, and peritoneal which is in the sac surrounding the heart.
Over 2,500 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the UK. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form, with a 90% incidence rate compared to 10% of peritoneal mesothelioma. This cancer is five times as common in men as it is in women.
The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a natural mineral insulator, which is now a banned building material in the UK. Certain jobs, usually performed by men, lead to higher exposure of asbestos, hence the higher incidence of the disease in men.
Over 90% of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to this substance. Other causes are less well understood, however it is thought that exposure to a mineral called erionite can also lead to mesothelioma, as well as possible radiation.
The signs of mesothelioma differ between the two forms. For pleural they are: heavy night sweats, breathlessness, chest pain, weight loss, and appetite loss. For peritoneal they are: a swollen stomach, stomach pain, weight loss, appetite loss, nausea and unusual bowel movements.
At the LOC, there are private treatments for mesothelioma performed by highly trained specialists, who will help to plan and implement the best course of treatment for the case in hand.