Adenomatoid Mesothelioma
Adenomatoid mesothelioma is a subtype of epithelioid mesothelioma, a cell type that creates a uniform pattern rather than a random and messy one. It is one of the more common mesothelioma cell types, but its uniformity gives it an important distinction. The orderly pattern lends itself better to treatment.
Adenomatoid mesothelioma generally begins in the lining of the lungs (the pleura). About 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pleural mesothelioma, and about 6 percent of all pleural mesothelioma cases are adenomatoid. Adenomatoid mesothelioma can also develop in the lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum). When these tumors are found in the peritoneum, however, they are usually non-cancerous.
This subtype is sometimes called glandular mesothelioma because tumors are made up of flattened, solitary nodules, and these nodules have a cellular structure that resembles glands. Someone with this type of mesothelioma could have adenomatoid cells mixed with those of other mesothelioma cell types, particularly tubulopapillary or solid epithelioid mesothelioma. In these cases, adenomatoid is the predominant cell type, generally accounting for 75 to 80 percent of the tumor.
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Causes of Adenomatoid Mesothelioma
Malignant adenomatoid mesothelioma, like most mesothelioma cases, can usually be traced back to asbestos exposure. Occupational exposure – work-site exposure – is typically the reason many people come into contact with asbestos, although people can be exposed environmentally (close to where they live or go to school) and secondarily (through asbestos-laden clothes, for instance).
Adenomatoid mesothelioma may also be benign, meaning the tumor is not cancerous. Medical research on why tumors made up of adenomatoid cell types can be benign is scant. According to experts there is no known link between asbestos exposure and benign tumors. Benign adenomatoid mesothelioma tumors occur more often in the peritoneum than in the pleura. Unlike other types of mesothelioma, doctors are unsure of the underlying causes. To date, little is known about benign adenomatoid mesothelioma and how it behaves.
Symptoms of Adenomatoid Mesothelioma
When adenomatoid mesothelioma is malignant, it acts like most other forms of mesothelioma. Doctors document a long latency period between the patient's exposure to asbestos and the patient's recognition of symptoms, which depend on the size and location of the adenomatoid tumor.
Symptoms are generally consistent with pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. If the tumor originated in the pleura, patients first experience coughing, shortness of breath and chest pain. As the cancer grows, patients can expect those symptoms to worsen and also to experience swelling in the head and neck areas. If tumors are found in the peritoneum, patients may experience abdominal pain, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea and buildup of fluid in the lining of the abdomen.
Patients with a benign form of adenomatoid mesothelioma, on the other hand, are generally asymptomatic. In these cases, the tumor is usually only found during unrelated testing. Patients may visit the doctor because of another problem, and then the doctor incidentally locates and diagnoses the benign mesothelioma.
If an individual experiences symptoms of benign form of adenomatoid mesothelioma, symptoms may include weight loss, pain and nausea. Doctors speculate that symptomatic patients show symptoms because their tumors are out of the ordinary. In one case, doctors stated that a patient experienced pain because the tumor was abnormally large, measuring 15 cm at its widest.
Treatment and Prognosis of Adenomatoid Mesothelioma
Overall, the average survival time for patients with malignant adenomatoid pleural mesothelioma is 10 months. Some patients may be eligible for potentially curative treatments such as surgery, which can help extend life span. Others, however, are limited to palliative care to lessen symptoms.
The treatment of choice for adenomatoid pleural mesothelioma is usually extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). This is a serious procedure that involves the complete removal of a cancerous lung as well as any surrounding tissue that may contain cancerous growth. Having a lung removed greatly affects someone's quality of life. Air intake is clearly limited, which then limits mobility. However, the surgery can help decrease symptoms and improve prognosis.
Not all patients are candidates for surgery. Doctors screen patients before a surgery, favoring those who are in otherwise good health and have a strong medical history.. They also prefer to operate on patients where mesothelioma has not spread beyond the general lung area.
If they are good candidates, patients with a benign form of adenomatoid mesothelioma may also choose to undergo surgery. Patients may have surgical resection to remove all or most of the tumor mass. For some, this acts as insurance in case the tumor is not benign. For others, it may help prevent future pain and complications caused by the mass.
Few malignant adenomatoid mesothelioma patients are not good candidates for surgery. In one study, only two of 10 patients did not undergo EPP. Those two patients instead turned to palliative treatments, which provide relief from symptoms but do not extend life expectancy. The patients received pleurodesis, a simple procedure used to drain the fluid in the lining of the chest. This helps to relieve chest pain and shortness of breath.
If you're experiencing symptoms of adenomatoid mesothelioma, make an appointment with a mesothelioma specialist. A specialized doctor can accurately assess your health and test for mesothelioma. To find a physician near you, use the Mesothelioma Center's Doctor Match Program.
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Last Modified Thursday, May 10th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
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