Benign Mesothelioma - Benign Mesothelioma Treatments

Benign Mesothelioma

In most cases, forms of asbestos cancers, such as mesothelioma, do not surface for 20 to 50 years after exposure. However, a rare disease known as benign (non-malignant) mesothelioma can occur much sooner. Since it is not a form of cancer, benign mesothelioma is typically addressed easily and immediately once detected. It can also act as a sort of "wake-up call," prompting the patient's doctor to search for other asbestos-related diseases, or at least signal the need for consistent monitoring.

In contrast to malignant mesothelioma, which has an extremely high mortality rate, effective treatment and full recovery is possible for most people who are diagnosed with benign mesothelioma.

Malignant Versus Benign Mesothelioma

Tumors form when previously healthy cells begin rapid division. This rapid pace of cellular growth leads to the formation of tumors as cells mass on top of one another, forming a solid lump of cells. Tumor cells are not all the same, which may be classified as benign or malignant. It is important to note that benign tumors are not cancerous. The term cancer only refers to malignant tumors.

There are two important differences between malignant and benign tumor cells. First, malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues and cause damage to healthy tissues and organs, whereas benign cannot. Second, malignant tumor cells can 'relocate' to other parts of the body by traveling through the blood or lymphatic system. When this occurs, these cells can begin forming new cancerous tumors in other locations.

The key difference, therefore, is that benign tumors do not invade nearby tissues, and do not spread to other parts of the body. For this reason, benign mesothelioma is much less serious than malignant mesothelioma (though it can certainly be life-threatening if not addressed).

While benign mesothelioma tumors will not invade or spread within the body, they can grow to large sizes, and larger tumors can have a negative impact on the tissues and organs around them. When these particular tumors grow large enough, they may cause fluid to build up in mesothelial membranes, and very large tumors can cause serious side effects, such as comas and seizures.

Symptoms of benign mesothelioma are quite similar to those of malignant mesothelioma. Most people with benign mesothelioma of the pleura (lung membranes) experience shortness of breath, chest pain, and a chronic, dry cough. People with malignant mesothelioma also experience these symptoms, but may additionally experience fever, night sweats, weight loss, and other symptoms.

Benign mesothelioma diagnosis is also similar to the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. Patients will provide a complete medical history and undergo a physical examination. If a problem is suspected, the doctor will recommend one or more imaging tests or biopsy procedures.

Imaging tests include chest X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. Each of these allows your doctor to determine where tumors are located. A chest x-ray is usually the first test ordered by the physician, followed by CT or MRI scans, which are used to obtain more detailed images of the exact location of tumors.

Other diagnostic tests involve taking samples of tumor tissue or samples of the fluid in or around the tumor. A tissue biopsy, for example, involves removing a sample of tumor cells from the affected area, whereas a fluid biopsy (also called needle aspiration) involves the insertion of a long needle into the tumor to remove fluid.

Benign Mesothelioma Treatments

In most cases of benign mesothelioma, the only treatment that is needed is a surgical procedure to remove the tumor. In contrast to malignant mesothelioma, there is no need for follow-up treatment such as mesothelioma chemotherapy because in these cases the tumor is not cancerous and has not spread.

Because approximately 75 percent of individuals with benign mesothelioma develop tumors in the lung, a surgical procedure called a thoracotomy is commonly performed. The exact nature of the procedure depends on the size and location of the tumor. Thoracotomy may involve removal of one segment of the lung, a lobe, or even the entire lung (removal of the entire lung is very rare in cases of benign mesothelioma). 

Although benign mesothelioma itself is a relatively harmless disease, complications may develop following surgery. The most common side effect of surgery is pleural effusion, a fluid build-up in the pleural spaces, which puts pressure on the lungs and heart. Patients are usually fitted with a chest drain for the first few days after surgery to remove excess fluid and prevent effusion.

Following surgical treatment, most people experience complete recovery. Studies show that 90 percent of those who develop a benign mesothelioma tumor will never experience a repeat occurrence of tumor development following successful surgery.

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