The lining or surfaces of certain huge cavities of our body is affected by a major form of cancer known as mesothelioma cancer. These cavities are also known as the serous cavities and the vital organs like abdomen, heart, lungs etc are contained in them. The surfaces which surround these cavities are called serous membranes. The main function of the serous surfaces is to protect the critical organs from damages caused by abrasion and friction, while they move against each other during routine functioning. Mesothelial cells are the special cells which create the mesothelium, the major tissue layer of the serous surfaces. The mesothelium tissue gets affected by mesothelioma.
There are mainly three forms of mesothelioma. The peritoneal mesothelioma affects the peritoneum or membrane which surrounds the abdomen. Sometimes it is found that the cancer affects male testicles, as the lining around the scrotum is an extension of peritoneum. The second form called pericardial mesothelioma attacks the pericardium, which is the lining surrounding the heart. The third and most common malignant cancer known as pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lung cavity.
Starting as a localized tumor, mesothelioma cancer spreads very rapidly to the nearby organs and tissues. The non-cancerous growths and the fibrous cysts that appear in the serous membranes were initially considered to be fibrous mesothelioma which is not malignant. These conditions actually do not get initiated in mesothelial cells, but other cells within the serous membranes and they do not spread fast as they are localized.
There is proof that mesothelioma is caused by previous exposure to asbestos. It is a rare, serious, deadly disease and it is during the advanced stages that the cancer is detected. Hence a complete cure is normally out of question and the average survival time after the diagnosis is one to two years. The type of mesothelioma is also a determining factor of the survival time.
Normal as well as modern treatment procedures are there for treating mesothelioma cancer. The main standard procedures include surgery, chemo and radiation. According to the duty of the situation, doctors occasionally adopt a mix of these strategies. But once the tumor spreads beyond control, palliative treatment, that is, treating the symptoms is the only treatment option left.
