What are the types of Mesothelioma Cancer?
Mesothelioma cancer is a very rare form of cancer which generally attacks the mesothelium and very few people have knowledge about what is mesothelioma. The mesothelium is a very thin membrane that envelops the lungs, heart, and various other internal organs.
There are basically two types of mesothelioma cancer. They are pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most widespread form of cancer which develops within the pleural membrane of the lungs lining. It is mainly caused while breathing in the asbestos fibers. Over the time, the changes in the pleural cell makes the lung scarred leading to the formation of the tumor. The cell continuously divides thereby decreasing the lung capacity and leading to the formation of the fluid within the layers of the pleural membrane.
Pleural mesothelioma is generally caught at the very later stages of cancer and hence the prediction for the affected patient is poor. But if it can be caught in the earlier stages, the patient’s prognosis and life expectancy can be improved. Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma on the other hand is a very rare form of cancer and each year generally less than 500 people is affected. It normally affects the peritoneum which is the cell walls that encloses the abdominal cavity.
The function of the peritoneum is to lubricate the abdominal cavity which helps the adjoining internal organs and various body structures to contract and expand. The pleural mesothelioma is generally diagnosed at the later stages but there are some treatment options which could increase the life expectancy of the patient.
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