Information on Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

What is Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma?

The rare type of cancer, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects a protective tissue or mesothelium in some internal organs of the body. This cancer is developed from asbestos exposure. Since 1920s, asbestos-exposed workers have been reported to suffer from lung cancer. Meanwhile, according to documentation at Massachusetts General Hospital, Malignant Mesothelioma was first published in 1947. The United State then began tracking this cancer as a recognized reason of death in the nation.

Malignant Mesothelioma Cell Types

The type of cell influences the effectiveness of Mesothelioma treatment. It is therefore important for doctors to know what type of cell in which the cancer is made up so they can decide what treatment to be given to the patients. The most common cell in Malignant Mesothelioma is epithelial cell. Among all cases of Malignant Mesothelioma, there are about 60 percent cases with epithelial cells. These cells are sharply identified. They form multifarious branching patterns and feature major nuclei.  Another type of cell is called sarcomatoid cells. These cells are weaker than epithelial. They are found in 10 percent of malignant mesothelioma cases. In this cancer, the two cells can be found together. This case is called biphasic in which the two cells are mixed. The cell classification is important because it will determine the treatment plan and the prognosis. Among all cell types, epithelial cells are the most reactive to treatment so that malignant mesothelioma entailing these cells has a higher life expectancy.

Treatment Expense

After the doctors are done with the diagnosis, some treatments will be proposed. Treatments can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or even a combination of some main treatments. This has not included the supplementary therapies that may be needed. The treatments can be expensive. But, patients do not need to worry since fortunately there are government programs, VA benefits, and insurance plans that can help manage the expense of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.