Mesothelioma

The mesothelioma is a diffuse growing tumor, which especially in the pleura ( pleural mesothelioma ), the pericardium and the peritoneum and the tunica vaginalis testis occurs at, but it can also occur in other places. It occurs in all localizations observed mainly at people who work with asbestos had contact ( asbestosis ). As with most tumors, can also the mesothelioma in benign (benign, non-invasive and slow growing) or malignant occur (malignant, invasive and fast growing) form.

Definition

Mesotheliomas are rare and often difficult to diagnose a soft tissue tumor in the area of the mesothelium, especially the pleura. Men are more frequently affected by the disease (probability about 1:1000 ). According to current knowledge, the mesothelioma is most often caused by exposure to asbestos, fiberglass dust or toxicosis by cigarette smoke and other exogenous pollutants. Forms that occur primarily in the mesothelium of the peritoneum or pericardium, are much less frequent. The pleural mesothelioma is a tumor characteristic form as a result of asbestosis.

Diagnosis

The latency period of mesothelioma can be up to 40 years, so that symptoms occur late and are similar to those of a pleural disease (eg pleural effusion).

Diagnosis is made by zytodiagnostische studies of cell samples obtained by fine-needle biopsy, histology, pleural biopsy, and radiological examinations. Leading the way is often the thoracoscopy. Computed tomography (CT ) methods are used to diagnose metastasis to the chest, the chest wall and the lung clearly can. Furthermore, research groups dealing with the investigation and establishment of biomarkers, such as mesothelin, osteopontin, or Fibulin. The use of such tumor biomarkers in clinical practice allows earlier and more accurate diagnosis.

Swell

• JT Hartmann, C. Bokemeyer: Benign and malignant mesothelioma: Definition. Oncology, Hematology - data and information ( online at Onkodin.de )
• German Society of Hematology and Oncology: Malignant mesothelioma, July 2005, accessed on February 28, 2014

Further Reading

• A. J. Moore et al: Malignant mesothelioma. In: Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 3, 2008, 34 doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-3-34 ( Review, Open Access )