Introduction
What Is Desmoplastic Mesothelioma ?
Desmoplastic Mesothelioma is a rare form of Mesothelioma in which the disease generates thick connective tissue in the lungs as well as other areas of the body. The main difference between more common Mesothelioma and desmoplastic Mesothelioma is the characteristics of the tumors caused by the disease. Desmoplastic Mesothelioma tumors are a lot more fibrous than common Mesotheliomas; sufferers diagnosed with desmoplastic Typically Mesothelioma tumors wil show 50% or more fibrous tissue in the tumor(s).
This particular form of cancer is also difficult to diagnose in the patient, often because metastases can move the tumors into the abdominal area. Because the abdominal area is primarily made up off internal organs and fatty tissue it can make the fibrous tumors hard to spot and diagnose as malignant.
Desmoplastic Mesothelioma patients, in general, have been exposed to asbestos in their home or workplace. The symptoms are comparable to those experienced by individuals with other lung related diseases. In Desmoplastic Mesothelioma the outside covering of the lungs (pleura) are affected by the asbestos exposure. The fibrous tumors produced by the disease attach to the pleura and, if diagnosed as malignant, grow and spread to other parts of the body. The nature of this particular form of Mesothelioma can cause extreme chest pain in the patients and can cause a build up of fluid in the lungs. Desmoplastic Mesothelioma pain can be very severe and can cause the hospitalization of the patient.
Because of the high mortality rate of Desmoplastic Mesothelioma, suits against previous employers are likely to be initiated by family members. As mentioned it can be very hard to initially diagnose, making it difficult to determine an exact cause of the disease prior to the patient’s death. Biopsies performed in areas of the body on fibrous tissue often come back benign and can remain untreated.
The only treatments found to be effectively at prolonging the patient’s life for any length of time are chemotherapy, radiation and nutritional therapy. These are standard Mesothelioma treatments dictated by most oncologists.
Filed under Desmoplastic Mesothelioma
