Mesothelioma of Tunica Vaginalis

Date Posted: December 14, 2011

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that impacts of the lives of many each year. The primary cause of the disease is asbestos. In many cases, the exposure took place many years before the cancer is detected and diagnosed. When asbestos is in small pieces, thin fibers are naturally released into the air and are inhaled. Once the fibers are in the body, they attach to mucous membranes that surround organs. These small attached fibers are not able to be cleared by natural means and can remain stuck on the mucous membranes and can cause abnormal cell division; mesothelioma is the result of the abnormal cell division. There are different types of mesothelioma with various prognosis related to each condition.

One of the most common forms of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma forms when the asbestos fibers become attached to the lungs. The condition is characterized by a buildup of fluid in the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity. As a result, the illness causes difficulty breathing, persistent coughing and shortness of breath.

The second most common form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma. This condition affects the abdomen and stomach. In most cases the cancer is located in the center of the abdomen and results in tumors that become large and press against the lining of the stomach. As a result, the condition causes extreme pain in the abdomen as well as swelling, vomiting and difficulty breathing.

Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis is an extremely rare form of cancer and often goes undiagnosed until the patient undergoes surgery. Even ultrasounds are rarely able to detect the cancerous tumors. This form of mesothelioma causes tumors to develop in the body cavities. Many of the tumors are found in the peritoneum, pleura and less commonly in the pericardium.

Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis is typically diagnosed later in life and the highest incidence occurs between the ages of 55 and 75 years. The only well documented and established risk factors of mesothelioma tunica vaginalis is exposure to asbestos. Individuals with mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis often experience rapid accumulation of fluid after aspiration. This re-accumulation is often a sign of malignancy.

Although ultrasound may not be the most effective method used to differentiate the malignant tumors from those that are benign, the usefulness of the ultrasound in clinical practice cannot be ignored. In some cases, the ultrasound can be used to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention. Additionally, ultrasound is relatively low cost and convenient. In the detection and diagnosis of the disease, ultrasound is often followed by a CT scan or MRI for more accurate determination of tumor location and size.

There are a number of health risks that can occur as a result of asbestos exposure. People are exposed to the harmful chemical in the workplace, home and communities. When structures containing asbestos are disturbed, the tiny particles are distributed in the air and can cause serious health issues when inhaled; therefore extreme caution must be used.