Mesothelioma Causes

One interesting study is called, Impact of lymph node metastasis on outcome after extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural Mesothelioma by Marc de Perrot, MD, Karl Uy, MD, Masaki Anraku, MD, Ming S. Tsao, MD, Gail Darling, MD, Thomas K. Waddell, MD, Andrew F. Pierre, MD, Andrea Bezjak, MD, Shaf Keshavjee, MD, Michael R. Johnston, MD – Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada – General Thoracic Surgery J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007;133:111-116. Here is an excerpt: OBJECTIVES: Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a therapeutic option for selected patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The impact of lymph node metastasis on the site of recurrence and the role of mediastinoscopy in the selection of patients for extrapleural pneumonectomy, however, remain unclear. METHODS: We reviewed 50 consecutive patients undergoing extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma in our institution between January 1993 and March 2005. RESULTS: The median survival was 11 months, with a 3-year survival of 24%. Survival was significantly worse for patients with N2 disease than for those with no lymph node metastasis (median survival 10 months vs 29 months, respectively, P = .005). Patient sex, histologic cell type, stage, and N2 disease, but not mediastinoscopy, had significant impacts on survival according to univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis, however, only the presence of N2 disease remained a significant predictor of poor outcome. The proportion of patients with N2 disease and the long-term survival was similar regardless of whether preoperative mediastinoscopy yielded a negative result. The initial site of recurrence was determined in 28 patients (locoregional in 10 and distant in 18). The presence of N2 disease had no impact on the site of recurrence. Adjuvant hemithoracic radiation therapy, however, significantly decreased the risk of locoregional recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS: The presence of N2 disease negatively affects the prognosis of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Mediastinoscopy, however, seems to have a limited role in patient selection for extrapleural pneumonectomy. Adjuvant hemithoracic radiation therapy but not N2 disease affects the risk of locoregional recurrence.

Mesothelioma is a very uncommon form of a cancer which is mainly caused when one is exposed to asbestos. One of the common types of the Mesothelioma is the Pleural Mesothelioma and it is a cancer that is developed in the Mesothelioma cells that make up the mesothelium. It is membrane that lines many of the body’s organs and cavities.

The Pleural Mesothelioma cancer, the cancer is developed in the lining of the lungs which is known as the pleura or pleural membrane. About two third of the pleural Mesothelioma cases are diagnosed. The Pleural Mesothelioma is developed in one layer but it can metastasize or spread to the other layer. All types of Mesothelioma are not easily diagnosis in the initial stage as soon as one is exposed to asbestos.

The pleural Mesothelioma is caused due to exposure to asbestos as all the Mesothelioma is developed. It is developed when the toxic asbestos fibers become trapped in the spaces between the mesothelial cells. Once inside the body, the asbestos fibers cause cancerous cells to divide abnormally. This development results in the thickening of the pleural membrane layers and mesothelial cells which helps in the building up of the fluid and this is known as pleural effusion.