Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that causes the growth of a tumor in the membranes that cover the organs of the chest or in the membranes that protect the organs in the abdomen.
Thus, depending on the affected site, there are 2 main types of malignant mesothelioma:
- Malignant pleural mesothelioma: it is the most common type that affects the tissue that covers the lungs; Peritoneal malignant mesothelioma: appears in the membrane that covers the organs of the abdomen.
Malignant mesothelioma usually grows on one of the membranes, but it can quickly affect other organs, causing cancer of the lungs or stomach, for example.
Malignant mesothelioma is more common in men over 50 who have been exposed to chemicals such as asbestos or abesto.
Treatment for malignant mesothelioma
Treatment for malignant mesothelioma should be guided by an oncologist, but it is usually done with surgery to remove as much of the affected tissue, supplemented with chemotherapy and radiation to eliminate the remaining tumor cells.
However, most mesotheliomas are diagnosed at very advanced stages, making treatment difficult and decreasing the chances of survival to less than 12 months.
Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma
Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma can include:
- Chest pain; Difficulty breathing; Persistent cough; Frequent nausea and vomiting; Fever below 38ºC constant; Alteration of intestinal transit; Sudden weight loss, for no apparent reason.
Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma are more frequent in the most advanced stage of the disease, and may vary according to the affected organs.
