Why Is Mesothelioma Also Called Malignant Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma and Malignant Mesothelioma are one and the same. The tissue that lines your lungs, stomach, heart and other organs is called mesothelium. Mesothelioma is cancer of that mesothelium tissue. It is a rare but serious type of cancer. It usually starts in the lungs, but can also start in the abdomen or other organs.

As campared to malignant mesothelioma, about 10% of these cases may turn out to be Benign Mesothelioma Tumors. Your mesothelioma specialist doctor can tell. The most important difference between the benign mesothelioma tumor and the cancerous forms is that these tumors do not spread and invade adjacent tissue.

Being exposed to asbestos can affect the risk of developing Malignant Mesothelioma.

Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor.

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. Other risk factors for malignant mesothelioma include the following:

~ Living with a person who works near asbestos.
~ Being exposed to a certain virus

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.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. It can take a long time - 30 to 50 years - between being around asbestos and getting the disease.

Treatment for Malignant Mesothelioma usually includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or all three.



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