Mesothelioma is an aggressive malignancy and rarely linked primarily to exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, if inhaled or ingested, enters the body where tumors can form in the mesothelial lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen.
There are three main types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common form, affects the lining of the lungs. Cancer of the lining of the abdomen is called the peritoneum and pericardium of the heart is. Malignant mesothelioma may be localized or diffuse. The first sign of pleural mesothelioma is usually the presence of plaques that start in the chest. Tumors May then spread to other parts of the body.
Mesothelioma is most common among men. Two thirds of cases are diagnosed before the later stages of life because it can take decades for symptoms to develop from the time of initial exposure.
The three main histological types of mesothelioma are epithelial, sarcomatous, or mixed. Tumors affecting the epithelial lining of internal body cavities. Different types of epithelial cells are identified by their shape and number of layers. Sarcomatous tumors start in the muscles or connective tissues and are much more aggressive.
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