Types of Mesothelioma

Pericardial, Peritoneal, Pleural Mesothelioma

The Alabama mesothelioma attorneys of The Dansby Law Firm, P.C. explain the differences, symptoms, and treatments of the three types of mesothelioma: pericardial, peritoneal, and pleural.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Pericardial is the least common form of mesothelioma. It most often invades the pericardium sac that encircles the heart. The heart becomes unable to efficiently deliver oxygen to the body as the mesothelioma progresses. As a result, the patient’s health rapidly decreases as he/she experiences symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath, and chest pains.

If you experience any or all of these, you should seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor needs to know that you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, so that comprehensive tests can be run.

Depending on the size and stage of the cancer, surgery may be an option. If found early enough that the tumor is relatively small, it may be possible to surgically remove it. Unfortunately, because early diagnoses are uncommon, this isn’t often an option. Other possible treatments involve chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment. While these aren’t ordinarily enough to cure pericardial mesothelioma, they can relieve pain and extend a patient’s life. The doctor may also use a treatment that involves insertion of a long needle into the chest and abdomen periodically to remove excess mesothelial fluid that contributes to pressure and discomfort.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Symptoms and Treatment

This is a very dangerous form of mesothelioma that attacks the lining around the abdomen. It frequently spreads out to involve such organs as the liver and bowel. The most common symptom is severe abdominal pain, which may or may not be accompanied by fluid retention, difficulty in moving the bowels, nausea, fever, vomiting, and swollen feet. These symptoms can be evidence of a variety of diseases, so it is vital that your doctor know that you were exposed to asbestos, in order to avoid being misdiagnosed.

A combination of surgery and chemotherapy are often used these days to treat peritoneal mesothelioma. The tumor(s) is/are removed via surgery, followed by chemotherapy treatment and (sometimes) radiation. This combined treatment has proven more effective at extending the patient’s life than just surgery or chemotherapy and radiation.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Diagnosis and Treatment

Pleural mesothelioma typically attacks the chest and can, but doesn’t always, involve the lungs. It usually spreads out to involve numerous organs in the body. It can be hard to diagnose pleural mesothelioma, as the symptoms may be mild, especially early on. They usually include continuous pain in one area of the chest, weight loss, fever, and general breathing problems. Your doctor can take a CAT scan of the chest area to identify pleural mesothelioma, so long as he/she is aware of your prior asbestos exposure.

Pleural mesothelioma is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, either singly or in combination with one another. Since the pleural form isn’t usually diagnosed until the advanced stages of development, the surgical option is often ruled out, and chemotherapy and/or radiation are rendered less effective.

The key to getting the most complete and effective treatment possible for your pericardial, peritoneal, or pleural mesothelioma is not to ignore any symptoms. Make sure your doctor knows of your exposure to asbestos, so that time isn’t wasted with misdiagnoses. For more advice on mesothelioma and your options, contact the Montgomery Alabama mesothelioma law firm of S. Kay Dansby at 888-313-5880, or complete our web form.