Information About Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lining of the chest or abdomen.

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant ( cancer ) cells are found in the pleura (the thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs ) or the peritoneum (the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen). This summary is about malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.

The problem with mesothelioma is that it grows in a space, and it spreads as a sheet of cells covering a bunch of organs in your chest. Because it touches big blood vessels, it touches the heart sac, it touches the lung, it touches the ribs, it touches everything, you can't possibly take it out like you can with a nodule. That makes treatment of it and the extensive nature of it quite challenging. Dr. Robert Cameron, in his testimony in the Albert Berchervs. ALFA LAVAL, INC., et al. Wednesday, September 13, 2006. For the County of Los Angeles, Department 53.

Being exposed to asbestos can affect the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

Many people with malignant mesothelioma have worked or lived in places where they inhaled or swallowed asbestos . After being exposed to asbestos, it usually takes a long time for malignant mesothelioma to occur.

Possible signs of malignant mesothelioma include shortness of breath and pain under the rib cage.

Sometimes the cancer causes fluid to collect around the lung or in the abdomen. These symptoms may be caused by the fluid or malignant mesothelioma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

• Trouble breathing.
• Pain under the rib cage.
• Pain or swelling in the abdomen.
• Lumps in the abdomen.
• Weight loss for no known reason.

Tests that examine the inside of the chest and abdomen are used to detect (find) and diagnose malignant mesothelioma.

Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. The following tests and procedures may be used:

• Physical exam and history : An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient's health habits, exposure to asbestos, past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.

• Chest x-ray : An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.

• Complete blood count (CBC): A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the following:

  • The number of red blood cells , white blood cells , and platelets .
  • The amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells.
  • The portion of the blood sample made up of red blood cells.

• Sedimentation rate : A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the rate at which the red blood cells settle to the bottom of the test tube.

• Biopsy : The removal of cells or tissues from the pleura or peritoneum so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. Procedures used to collect the cells or tissues include the following:

  • Fine-needle aspiration biopsy : The removal of part of a lump, suspicious tissue, or fluid, using a thin needle. This procedure is also called a needle biopsy.
  • Thoracoscopy : An incision (cut) is made between two ribs and a thoracoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into the chest.
  • Peritoneoscopy: An incision (cut) is made in the abdominal wall and a peritoneoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into the abdomen.
  • Laparotomy : An incision (cut) is made in the wall of the abdomen to check the inside of the abdomen for signs of disease.
  • Thoracotomy : An incision (cut) is made between two ribs to check inside the chest for signs of disease.

• Bronchoscopy : A procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.

• Cytologic exam: An exam of cells under a microscope (by a pathologist) to check for anything abnormal. For mesothelioma, fluid is taken from around the lungs or from the abdomen. A pathologist checks the cells in the fluid.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:

• The stage of the cancer.
• The size of the tumor .
• Whether the tumor can be removed completely by surgery .
• The amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen.
• The patient's age and general health, including lung and heart health.
• The type of mesothelioma cancer cells and how they look under a microscope.
• Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).

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abdomen (AB-do-men) - The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs

abnormal - Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancerous, pre-malignant (likely to become cancer), or benign

asbestos (as-BES-tus) - A natural material that is made of tiny fibers. Asbestos can cause several serious diseases, including cancer

biopsy (BY-op-see) - The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. When only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy. When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy, core biopsy, or fine-needle aspiration.

blood - A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

bronchoscope (BRON-ko-skope) - A thin, lighted tube used to examine the inside of the trachea and bronchi, the air passages that lead to the lungs

bronchoscopy (bron-KOS-ko-pee) - A procedure in which a thin, lighted tube is inserted through the nose or mouth. This allows examination of the inside of the trachea and bronchi (air passages that lead to the lung), as well as the lung. Bronchoscopy may be used to detect cancer or to perform some treatment procedures.

cancer - A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.

cell - The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells

chest x-ray - An x-ray of the structures inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of high-energy radiation that can go through the body and onto film, making pictures of areas inside the chest, which can be used to diagnose disease.

complete blood count - CBC. A test to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. Also called blood cell count

cytology - The study of cells using a microscope

diagnosis - The process of identifying a disease by the signs and symptoms

fine-needle aspiration (as-per-AY-shun) - The removal of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a microscope. Also called needle biopsy

fluid - Liquid

hemoglobin (HE-muh-GLOW-bun) - The substance inside red blood cells that binds to oxygen and carries it from the lungs to the tissues

incision (in-SIH-zhun) - A cut made in the body to perform surgery

inhalation In medicine, refers to the act of taking a substance into the body by breathing

laparotomy (lap-a-RAH-toe-mee) - A surgical incision made in the wall of the abdomen

lung - one of a pair of organs in the chest that supplies the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide from the body

malignant (ma-LIG-nant) - Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

organ - A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ

pathologist (pa-THOL-o-jist) - A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope

peritoneum (PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-um) - The tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen

physical examination - An exam of the body to check for general signs of disease

platelet (PLATE-let) - A type of blood cell that helps prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form. Also called a thrombocyte

pleura (PLOOR-a) - A thin layer of tissue covering the lungs and lining the interior wall of the chest cavity. It protects and cushions the lungs. This tissue secretes a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant, allowing the lungs to move smoothly in the chest cavity while breathing.

prognosis (prog-NO-sis) - The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence

protein (PRO-teen) - A molecule made up of amino acids that are needed for the body to function properly. Proteins are the basis of body structures such as skin and hair and of substances such as enzymes, cytokines, and antibodies

recur - To occur again

red blood cell - RBC. A cell that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Also called an erythrocyte

sedimentation rate - The distance red blood cells travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube. The sedimentation rate is increased in inflammation, infection, cancer, rheumatic diseases, and diseases of the blood and bone marrow. Also called erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

stage - The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

surgery (SER-juh-ree) - A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation

symptom - An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain

thoracoscopy - The use of a thin, lighted tube (called an endoscope) to examine the inside of the chest

thoracotomy (thor-a-KAH-toe-mee) - An operation to open the chest

tissue (TISH-oo) - A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.

trachea (TRAY-kee-uh) - The airway that leads from the larynx to the lungs. Also called the windpipe

tumor (TOO-mer) - An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Also called neoplasm.

white blood cell - WBC. Refers to a blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin. White blood cells include lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells. These cells are made by bone marrow and help the body fight infection and other diseases.

x-ray - A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays are used to treat cancer

** POSTED SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 **