Mesothelioma Treatment

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer diagnosed in about 3,000 people a year. The disease usually affects the thin membrane that lines the chest cavity (thorax) and lungs. This membrane is called the pleura. It can also affect the lining of the abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum and, rarely, it affects the lining of the heart called the pericardium.

In most cases the malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a natural mineral used in various industries. A small percentage of cases have been linked to exposure to mineral silicate called zeolite or a type of radiographic contrast dye, Thorotrast, used before 1960 to make the blood vessels can be visualized on radiographs. In a few cases, no known cause of malignant mesothelioma.

People exposed to asbestos for a long time or exposed to high levels of asbestos have a higher risk of developing malignant mesothelioma, but even those exposed for a short time can develop this disease, which appears at least 15 years (usually 20 to 40 years) after exposure to asbestos. Usually the disease is diagnosed between 50 and 70. Men are more likely than women to suffer, because it is more likely that they have worked in industries using asbestos.

There are three main types of malignant mesothelioma: epithelial, sarcomatoid and mixed. The epithelial type is the most common.