Discuss what a mesothelioma is and the different ways a mesothelioma will present.
A mesothelioma is a primary tumor of the layer of cells that line the peritoneal cavity, pleural cavity, or the pericardial cavity.
Mesotheliomas can arise from the surface lining of the peritoneum and are known as peritoneal mesotheliomas. However, in approximately 75 to 80% of the cases, mesotheliomas arise from the surface lining of the pleura. This type of mesothelioma is known as a pleural mesothelioma. Mesotheliomas of the pericardium, called pericardial mesotheliomas, are extremely rare. Of the pleural type mesotheliomas, 75% are diffuse tumors and the remaining 25% are localized. The diffuse tumors are generally malignant, while the localized tumors are generally benign.
Men are affected with mesotheliomas three times more often than women.