Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of
mesothelioma, representing about 75 percent of cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma
is the second most common type, consisting of about 10 to 20 percent of cases.
Approximately 1 percent of cases are of the pericardial variety. Another rare
type known as testicular mesothelioma represents less than 1 percent of cases.
Pleural
This type forms in the lining of the lungs. An increased
incidence rate led to more studies to improve treatment methods and survival
rates.
Peritoneal
Developing in the lining of the abdominal cavity, peritoneal
mesothelioma responds best to a combination of surgery and heated chemotherapy.
Pericardial
Emerging from the lining of the heart, pericardial
mesothelioma is the most challenging to treat because of tumor location.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Because early symptoms of mesothelioma are so mild, few
people notice or recognize them, and many don't experience any symptoms until
later stages of the cancer. Fatigue and slight pain around the tumor may
surface in early stages. Late-stage malignant mesothelioma symptoms are more
noticeable and commonly provoke someone to visit the doctor. These late-onset
symptoms can include shortness of breath, chronic pain near the tumor, weight
loss, fluid buildup or bowel obstruction. Effective therapies are available to
relieve symptoms, and some treatments, like talc pleurodesis, can even prevent
symptom recurrence.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is most affected by the stage
of the cancer. Both early and late-stage patients have treatment options to
improve their prognosis. Many mesothelioma patients live longer than their
estimated life expectancy and such outcomes are dependent on a number of
prognostic factors, including:
• Stage of
cancer
• Type of
mesothelioma
• Tumor
cell type
• Overall
health
• Gender
• Symptoms
• Size and
location of tumor
• Blood
characteristics