Mesothelioma Types: Pleural, Peritoneal & Other Forms

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form, making up approximately 75% of all cases.

This form of cancer develops in the pleura, a thin membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity.

Pleural mesothelioma is strongly associated with asbestos exposure.

Inhaled fibers lodge in the pleural lining, causing damage that may lead to the development of cancerous cells.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are often nonspecific, which can delay diagnosis.

This delay can be hazardous considering the aggressive nature of mesothelioma.

Symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent chest pain
• Chronic coughing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue

Because these symptoms are similar to those of more common respiratory conditions, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, pleural mesothelioma is frequently misdiagnosed.

This underscores the importance of a thorough differential diagnosis to ensure timely and appropriate treatment.

Causes of Pleural Mesothelioma

The primary cause of pleural mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.

When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become trapped in the pleura, leading to inflammation, scarring, and the eventual development of cancer.

Workers in industries with high asbestos exposure risk include:

• Construction;
• Shipbuilding;
• Automotive Repair;
• Manufacturing; and
• Various other industries

In addition to occupational exposure, secondary exposure can occur when asbestos fibers are carried home on clothing or equipment, putting family members at risk.

A notable case of secondary exposure is Bobo v. AGCO Corporation, where Mrs. Bobo developed malignant pleural mesothelioma after years of laundering her husband’s asbestos-contaminated work clothes.

Pleural Mesothelioma: Prognosis & Treatment Options

The prognosis for pleural mesothelioma varies and is influenced by the stage of cancer, the patient’s health, and the extent of asbestos exposure.

Standard treatment options include:

• Surgery to remove tumors
• Chemotherapy to target cancerous cells
• Radiation therapy to treat affected areas

In some cases, multimodal therapy—a combination of treatments—may be used to improve outcomes.

Additionally, newer treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy are being researched to improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with pleural mesothelioma.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type, affecting the abdominal cavity’s peritoneum lining.

Like pleural mesothelioma, it is caused by asbestos exposure, though in this case, fibers may be ingested or reach the abdomen via the lymphatic system.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are often vague, contributing to delayed diagnosis.

They include:

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Nausea or vomiting
• Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation)
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss

Because these symptoms resemble gastrointestinal issues, many patients are initially misdiagnosed.

Diagnostic tools like CT scans, MRIs, and biopsies are often required to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the disease.

Causes of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The causes of peritoneal mesothelioma are also linked to asbestos exposure.

Workers in high-risk industries or those with secondary exposure are more likely to develop this form of mesothelioma.

Ingested asbestos fibers may directly impact the abdominal lining or reach the abdomen through other biological pathways.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Prognosis & Treatment Options

As with pleural mesothelioma, the prognosis for peritoneal mesothelioma depends on the stage of diagnosis, the patient’s overall health, and how much the cancer has spread.

Standard treatment options include:

• Cytoreductive surgery to remove visible tumors
• Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) to target remaining cancer cells after surgery
• Systemic chemotherapy to treat cancer cells throughout the body

Aggressive treatment approaches, mainly when initiated early, have improved survival rates for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.

Next, we will discuss pericardial mesothelioma and its unique challenges due to its location around the heart.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest and most aggressive forms of mesothelioma, accounting for less than 1% of all diagnosed cases.

This type of cancer affects the pericardium, the thin membrane surrounding the heart, which complicates both diagnosis and treatment due to its delicate location.

Like other types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure.

Pericardial Mesothelioma: Symptoms

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma often mimic other heart-related conditions, making it difficult to diagnose.

Common symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Fluid buildup around the heart (pericardial effusion)

Because these symptoms are frequently mistaken for conditions such as pericarditis or coronary artery disease, diagnosis is often delayed.

To confirm the presence of pericardial mesothelioma, doctors typically use imaging tests like echocardiograms or MRIs, followed by biopsies to identify cancerous cells.

Causes of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of pericardial mesothelioma, with evidence suggesting a strong link between occupational exposure and the development of this rare cancer.

A study by the Italian National Mesothelioma Registry (ReNaM) found that individuals exposed to asbestos in the workplace had over three times the risk of developing pericardial mesothelioma compared to those without such exposure.

Industries frequently associated with asbestos exposure among pericardial mesothelioma cases include:

• Construction
• Steel mills
• Metal-working
• Textile industry
• Agriculture

This association underscores the significant risk posed by asbestos fibers, even in industries where the danger may not have been initially recognized.

Pericardial Mesothelioma: Prognosis & Treatment Options

The prognosis for pericardial mesothelioma is generally poor due to its aggressive nature and the difficulty of early detection.

Treatment options are limited, often focusing on managing symptoms and improving the patient’s quality of life.

Common treatments include:

• Surgery: To remove tumors, though this is often complex and risky due to the heart’s proximity.
• Chemotherapy: To shrink or control the growth of cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy: To target and reduce tumors, alleviating symptoms like chest pain and fluid buildup.

Given the challenges of treating cancer so close to the heart, curative treatment options are rare.

Research is ongoing, and clinical trials are being conducted to explore more effective treatments that could improve outcomes for patients with pericardial mesothelioma.

However, as of now, most treatments aim to extend survival and provide relief from debilitating symptoms.

Testicular Mesothelioma

Testicular mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis, is the rarest form of mesothelioma, accounting for less than 1% of all cases.

This cancer develops in the lining surrounding the testes.

Like other forms of mesothelioma, it is strongly associated with asbestos exposure, though the precise mechanism by which asbestos fibers reach the testicular lining remains unclear.

Symptoms of Testicular Mesothelioma

Testicular mesothelioma presents several diagnostic challenges due to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms.

The symptoms often overlap with other conditions, leading to delays in diagnosis.

Common symptoms include:

• Swelling or lumps in the testicles
• Pain or discomfort in the scrotum
• Fluid buildup around the testicle (hydrocele)

Because these symptoms are similar to more common conditions, such as hernias, testicular mesothelioma is often discovered incidentally during surgical procedures for unrelated issues, such as hernia repairs.

This incidental detection is one reason it may be caught earlier than other forms of mesothelioma.

Causes of Testicular Mesothelioma

As with other forms of mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for developing testicular mesothelioma.

A study conducted by Attanoos et al. (2001) in Histopathology found a strong link between asbestos exposure and testicular mesothelioma cases.

Although the exact pathway asbestos fibers take to reach the tunica vaginalis is poorly understood, researchers hypothesize that fibers may travel through systemic circulation or the lymphatic system.

Prolonged occupational exposure to asbestos is believed to significantly increase the risk of developing this rare cancer.

Testicular Mesothelioma: Prognosis & Treatment Options

The prognosis for testicular mesothelioma is generally more favorable than other forms of mesothelioma due to earlier detection.

Standard treatment options include:

• Surgery: The most common surgical approach is an orchiectomy, which involves the removal of the affected testicle to eliminate the cancerous cells.
• Chemotherapy: In cases where the cancer has spread, chemotherapy may be used to target any remaining cancer cells in the body.
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy may help reduce the size of tumors or prevent cancer recurrence after surgery.

Due to its rarity, no widely accepted standardized treatment protocol for testicular mesothelioma exists.

However, research is ongoing to understand this cancer form better and explore more effective treatment methods.

Methods of Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Diagnosing mesothelioma presents significant challenges due to its rarity and the non-specific nature of its symptoms, which often resemble other, less severe conditions.

Specialists typically follow a comprehensive diagnostic process that includes imaging tests, biopsies, and laboratory analysis to confirm the presence of malignant mesothelioma cells and determine the disease’s extent.

Accurate diagnosis is critical for developing an appropriate treatment plan.

Imaging Tests for Mesothelioma

Imaging tests are usually the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma.

These tests help detect abnormalities in the body that may indicate the presence of mesothelioma and are vital for assessing how far the disease has spread.

Standard imaging methods include:

• X-rays: X-rays of the chest or abdomen often detect pleural effusion (fluid buildup in the chest) or visible tumors that may signal mesothelioma.
• CT Scans: Cross-sectional images provide detailed insights into the size and spread of tumors, and these scans assist in planning biopsies and surgeries.
• MRI Scans: MRI scans produce high-resolution images of tumor locations and can evaluate their interaction with nearby tissues and organs.
• PET Scans: PET scans use radioactive materials to highlight cancer cells’ activity, often combined with CT scans to check for cancer spread beyond the original tumor site.

Advances in imaging technology have significantly improved the accuracy of staging mesothelioma, creating more tailored treatment strategies.

Mesothelioma Biopsy Procedures

A biopsy is essential for confirming a mesothelioma diagnosis.

This procedure involves removing a tissue sample from the affected area for microscopic examination to identify malignant mesothelioma cells.

Several types of biopsies can be performed depending on the situation:

• Needle Biopsy: This minimally invasive method uses a thin needle, often guided by CT or ultrasound, to obtain tissue. It is typically used for initial diagnoses when imaging results suggest a tumor.
• Thoracoscopic Biopsy (Pleural Biopsy): A small camera (thoracoscope) is inserted through an incision in the chest to view the pleura and collect tissue samples. This procedure is particularly useful for diagnosing pleural mesothelioma.
• Laparoscopic Biopsy (Peritoneal Biopsy): A laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen to obtain tissue samples from the peritoneum, essential for diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma.
• Mediastinoscopy Biopsy: This method is used for suspected pericardial mesothelioma. It involves making an incision above the breastbone to access the pericardium and collect tissue.
• Open Surgical Biopsy: When other biopsy methods are insufficient, a larger incision is made to obtain a more comprehensive tissue sample for diagnosis.

The biopsy type is chosen based on the suspected location of the cancer, the patient’s health, and the need for a definitive diagnosis to guide treatment decisions.

These biopsy results also help determine the mesothelioma type and stage, which is vital for developing an effective treatment plan.

Mesothelioma Cell Types

Imaging and biopsy procedures are vital in identifying the cell type of mesothelioma.

The cell types of mesothelioma impact the treatment approach and prognosis.

The primary cell types are:

• Epithelial: This is the most common cell type found in all mesothelioma forms, including pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and testicular mesothelioma, which tends to respond better to treatment.
• Sarcomatoid: Sarcomatoid cells are more aggressive and more complicated to treat, as they are commonly found in pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomas and occasionally in pericardial mesothelioma.
• Biphasic: Some mesotheliomas, known as biphasic mesotheliomas, contain both epithelial and sarcomatoid cells. The prognosis depends on the dominant cell type.
• Benign Mesothelioma: Non-cancerous mesotheliomas can occur in the pleura, peritoneum, or pericardium. While less dangerous, they still require careful monitoring and treatment.

TruLaw: Your Mesothelioma Law Firm

Mesothelioma lawsuits are being filed by individuals across the country who were diagnosed with this aggressive cancer after being exposed to asbestos.

TruLaw is currently accepting clients for mesothelioma claims.

A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your mesothelioma lawsuit include:

• Contingency Fee Basis: The asbestos lawyers at TruLaw and our partner firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win.
• Expertise: We have years of experience handling chemical exposure cases similar to mesothelioma lawsuits, which helps us anticipate what we can expect to see in your case and the regulations we will be required to meet.
• Successful Track Record: TruLaw and our partner law firms have helped our clients recover billions of dollars in compensation through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine if you qualify for a mesothelioma lawsuit today.