Deciduoid Mesothelioma

What is Deciduoid Mesothelioma? Deciduoid Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that, unlike regular forms of mesothelioma, which are detected in males, is mostly detected in younger women. Moreover, where most mesothelioma cancers are caused by perpetual exposure to asbestos, the bulk of experts agree there is no asbestos link to the Deciduoid version. Deciduoid mesothelioma was first diagnosed in 1994. There are only approximately 30 cases of Deciduoid mesothelioma per year. Roughly half of all Deciduoid mesothelioma cases are peritoneal in nature, meaning they originate in the lining of the abdomen. This characteristic is also unique when compared to more typical forms of the cancer, for mesothelioma cases begin in the lining of the lungs. Risk Factors and Causes Associated with Deciduoid Mesothelioma: Doctors and other medical professionals are unsure as to the exact cause of Deciduoid mesothelioma; however, some doctors consider hormonal changes as potential factors. Dissimilar to a number of types of mesothelioma cancers, Deciduoid mesothelioma is not conclusively linked to asbestos exposure. The belief that Deciduoid mesothelioma is hormonal related is widely due to the fact that this rare cancer is more common in women and several cases have developed during a woman’s pregnancy. Deciduoid mesothelioma is extraordinarily difficult to diagnose, not only because of its uniqueness, but also because it resembles other medical conditions. A Deciduoid mesothelioma tumor is comprised of firm, white nodules and its individual cells are oval-shaped or polygonal. The most common symptom associated with Deciduoid mesothelioma is severe chest or abdominal pains—the severity of symptoms is dependent on the site of the tumor. In young females Deciduoid mesothelioma resembles other types of tumors known as pseudotumoral deciduosis. These types of tumors are uniform with regards to presenting symptoms and physical features. Moreover, both conditions reveal a history of being diagnosed in pregnant women and during C-sections. Deciduoid Mesothelioma: Treatment Options Treatment options are limited, for the majority of Deciduoid mesothelioma tumors. Frequently, the majorities of patients do not receive potentially curative treatments, such as surgery, and instead only receive palliative methods to mitigate the associated symptoms. Because of this treatment method, the prognosis attached to Deciduoid mesothelioma is quite poor. Short survival times are common for individuals diagnosed with Deciduoid mesothelioma. The median survival rate is between five to six months, as compared to the eight to twelve month survival period for nondeciduoid peritoneal mesothelioma. That being said, similar to other types of mesothelioma, many patients will live with the condition for years.