Learn About Your Type of Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. It affects the linings of lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium). These linings are known as the mesothelium. There are many treatment options for mesothelioma depending on your specific diagnosis, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Many patients turn to clinical trials that are exploring promising new treatments like immunotherapy.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Accounting for over 75 percent of diagnoses, pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma. It affects the mesothelium that lines the chest and lungs. Surgery, such as the pleurectomy with decortication, combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation is the most effective treatment plan.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Cancer in the lining of the abdomen is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. About 1 in 5 mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with this type. Treatments, such as heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), have vastly improved the survival rates of peritoneal patients.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
This is the rarest type of mesothelioma. It affects
the mesothelium lining the heart, known as the pericardium. Eligible
patients are often prescribed a pericardiectomy, a surgery to remove the
diseased lining of the heart. Treatment also commonly includes
chemotherapy.