Types of Mesothelioma

 

Although the most common type of mesothelioma is that of the lining of the lungs, the types of mesothelioma can be broken down as follows.

Pleural Mesothelioma

The lining of the lungs, the pleural lining, consists of two layers with a lubricating fluid produced by the pleura between the layers that lets them smoothly move over themselves as we breathe.

If you have pleural mesothelioma, your pleura thickens and becomes more rubber like rather than a slippery lining.  This can then lead to breathlessness, pain in the chest etc.  Fluid can also build up between the layers making it more difficult to breathe.  The build up of this fluid is known as pleural effusion, and can be quite substantial with many litres building up in a relatively short period of time.

A pleural tap (known as Thoracentesis see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracentesis) will often be used to drain off this excess liquid and provide some relief from the discomfort.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Similar to Pleural Mesothelioma, this condition affects the layers around the organs in the abdomen.  As pleural meso is more common, if the patient has Peritoneal Mesothelioma they will often be examined to establish whether the Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the primary source of the cancer, or if it is secondary cancer that has spread from the Pleural Mesothelioma.

Again, Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a thickening of the fluid between the layers, as well as a build up of fluid.