The lining or membranes of certain huge cavities of our body is affected by a serious form of cancer known as mesothelioma cancer. These cavities are sometimes called the serous cavities and the critical organs like abdomen, heart, lungs etc are contained in them. The membranes which surround these cavities are called serous surfaces. The main function of the serous membranes is to protect the organs from damages due to 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 membranes. The mesothelium tissue gets influenced by mesothelioma.
Basically, the cancer shows its presence in three forms – peritoneal, pericardial and pleural. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the peritoneum, which is the membrane that surrounds the abdomen. Male testicles are also rarely affected by this cancer. The second form called the pericardial mesothelioma affects the pericardium, or the lining surrounding the heart. Pleural mesothelioma is a malignant form which attacks 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.
The fact that mesothelioma is caused by previous contact with asbestos, is proved beyond doubt. This fatal disease is diagnosed at the advanced stages. So a total cure is unimaginable though the patient gets a survival time of one to two years after the diagnosis. The survival time also depends on the type of the cancer.
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 obligation of the situation, doctors occasionally adopt a mixture of these strategies. But once the carcinoma spreads beyond control, palliative treatment, that is, treating the symptoms is the sole treatment option left.