Benign Mesothelioma
Benign mesothelioma, as the name indicates, is usually not cancerous, although cancerous forms do occur. These tumors, which appear more in men than women, usually start in the tissues under the mesothelium, which is known as the submesothelium. A similar tumor may grow in the peritoneum — the lining of the abdomen.
The big difference between benign mesothelioma tumors and the cancerous forms is that benign tumors do not spread to nearby tissue. Malignant mesothelioma tumors, on the other hand, often spread quickly, making treatment difficult and ineffective.
Benign Mesothelioma Symptoms
Benign mesothelioma is very rare, accounting for less than 10 percent of all mesothelioma cancer cases worldwide. But when they do occur, they present symptoms that are similar to those connected with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Actually, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between the two without extensive testing or surgical procedures.
The most common symptoms that may indicate benign mesothelioma are chest pain, shortness of breath and chronic cough. These arise because of the growth of the benign tumor, which may be pressing on the lungs.
Doctors may also notice a clubbed appearance of the fingers, often a sign of this kind of tumor. With clubbed fingers, the nail bed takes on a distorted angle, which is indicative of a dangerously low level of oxygen in the blood.
Diagnosing Benign Mesothelioma
The same tests used for diagnosing malignant mesothelioma are used for diagnosing the benign form, because it’s impossible to distinguish one from the other without the aid of sophisticated imaging or other procedures. The doctor may first suggest a regular x-ray followed by a CT scan, MRI and biopsy.
If you have been diagnosed with malignant or benign mesothelioma, contact mesothelioma treatment centers today to explore your treatment options. We look forward to helping you.
