Benign mesothelioma is usually non-lethal and easily cured through surgical procedures. Though benign mesothelioma may reoccur after initial treatment for the disease, it is unlikely to cause serious complications unless it grows into a sensitive area. There is a chance for many types of benign mesothelioma to become malignant and metastasize, though why this happens isn’t clear to medical experts. There are a variety of benign mesothelioma types that may occur anywhere in the mesothelium.
Benign mesothelioma is often asymptomatic for long period of time, showing no symptoms at all. When a benign tumor grows in size or grows into a sensitive area, symptoms may become apparent. Most diagnoses of benign mesothelioma occur while searching for another problem in the body cavity. In some cases, tumors may grow large enough to blood vessels and cause swelling in local parts of the body cavity.
Tumors may also grow into sensitive areas where there are an abundance of nerve endings or where passageways for digestive organ are present. Tumors in these areas may cause earlier symptoms while the tumor is very small.
Treatment of benign mesothelioma depends on the severity and location of the tumor. Additionally, surgeons must consider the tumors proximity or attachment to sensitive structures within the body.
Benign Mesothelioma Types
Benign mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the mesothelium, the thin layer of cells that lines the organs in the body cavity. The mesothelium surrounding the lungs or heart in the chest or on the reproductive and digestive organs of the abdomen can all be affected by benign mesothelioma. In general, benign mesothelioma is typed based on its location and then further subtypes based on its composition.
Benign mesothelioma by location is typed as follows:
- Peritoneal Benign Mesothelioma in the abdomen
- Pleural Benign Mesothelioma on the lungs or chest wall
- Pericardial Benign Mesothelioma on the heart and esophagus
- Tunica Vaginalis Benign Mesothelioma on the testes. (This form of benign mesothelioma is technically of the peritoneal variety, though the differentiation is often made.)
Benign Mesothelioma Subtypes
Benign mesothelioma is sub-typed based on the structure of the tumor (cell mass). In most cases that involve the chest cavity (lungs and heart), benign mesothelioma is a “benign solitary fibrous tumor”. Solitary fibrous tumors do not spread to other parts of the body and, if benign, are not usually lethal. This type of benign mesothelioma tumor isn’t exclusive to the pleura (the lining around the lungs and that lines the chest walls) and can occur in any part of the mesothelium.
Other subtypes of benign mesothelioma are most often discovered in the abdomen and near the reproductive organs of females. Males can also develop these types of benign mesothelioma, but it is far more common in women of reproductive maturity. These types typically involve complex masses of cells or cells that are bound together in unique formations in the abdominal cavity. While they are benign most of the time, these types of mesothelioma can turn into malignant mesothelioma. Little is known about benign mesothelioma types and most cases are not associated with a known history of asbestos exposure.
Cystic Benign Mesothelioma
Cystic benign mesothelioma is a rare form of the disease that may be caused by pelvic trauma or surgical procedures. This is not considered a lethal or threatening form of cancer but can cause further complication just like all other types of tumors. As the tumor grows, it can cause discomfort and complications with normal organ functions, as well as swelling if it begins to block a blood vessel.
Images of the cell mass typically show a mass of tiny cysts which are each lined with a layer of mesothelium cells. They do not usually contain muscle fibers, which is one way that doctors are able to eliminate some other conditions with similar tumor structure. However, cystic forms of tumors occur with a variety of other diseases and a biopsy is the only sure way to determine the diagnosis as cystic benign mesothelioma. A laparoscopic procedure is the most common form of sample collection for a biopsy analysis.
Surgery is the preferred treatment for cystic benign mesothelioma and is generally an effective way to rid the body of the mass. It may grow back over time, so routine tests are recommended. The prognosis for cystic benign mesothelioma is usually very good unless there are other mitigating factors. Typical worst case scenarios include the possibility that some of the tumor has to remain in the body and may cause other complications. (Tumors in sensitive areas may not be candidates for complete removal so some of the tumor may remain after surgery.) In general, there is not a large mortality rate associated with cystic types of mesothelioma.
Multicystic Benign Mesothelioma
Multicystic benign mesothelioma is closely related to its cystic counterpart. It also originates in the abdomen, is characterized by an individual mesothelium around the mass and cysts, and is composed of fluid filled cysts. Multicystic benign mesothelioma is signified by the presence of many small cavities (multiseptate tumor). It also contains many chambers (multilocular) that contain each cyst and separates the fluid filled sacs.
As with cystic benign mesothelioma, image tests reveal the structure described above and laparoscopic biopsy tests will yield the correct diagnosis. Surgery is the preferred method of treatment any time there is no complication that prevents full resection of the tumor.Multicystic benign mesothelioma may grow again in the future, so routine testing for development is necessary.
Papillary Benign Mesothelioma
Papillary benign mesothelioma, which is also known as well-defined papillary mesothelioma, is a very rare form of benign mesothelioma that almost always occurs in on reproductive organs. It most affects women, but can develop in men and may also develop anywhere in the mesothelium. The symptoms of papillary mesothelioma may be non-existent until the tumor grows into sensitive areas. Like most other benign mesothelioma types, it is usually diagnosed during a procedure our test that is unrelated to the disease.
Biopsy or image tests will reveal papillary and tubular shaped formations that are indicative of the disease. Treatment for this benign mesothelioma is most often surgery and usually very effective unless the tumor is in a sensitive area. The tumor may grow again over time, but the prognosis is generally positive for people who have been diagnosed.
