Estrogen and its impact on mesothelioma

A recently concluded research in New South Wales, Australia can reveal the hormones may impact survival differences in men and women diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

The sex hormone estradiol is produced by the ovaries and the adrenal gland in women. It is an active metabolic product of testosterone (although in much lower levels) in men. Estradiol, considered the most important estrogen in the body, it was revealed, is linked in cellular propagation of different cancers via estrogen receptors.

One type of cancer that may be triggered by estrogen is the peritoneal mesothelioma, a type of cancer that spreads throughout the thin lining of the abdomen. The Australian researchers underwent immunohistochemical testing to assess estrogen receptors in 42 patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma.

It was revealed that thirty-three patients contain specific type of estrogen receptor (ER-â) in the cell nucleus. Nine patients revealed cellular cytoplasm with ER-â, a gel-like substance located in the cells, between the cell wall and the nucleus.

What is Pleural Effusion?

A lot of people think that pleural effusion is a type of disease. No. it’s not. It’s actually a complication caused by a disorder. Pleural mesothelioma is one of the reasons why a person manifests pleural effusion. Heart failure, pneumonia, pulmonary embolus, tuberculosis, and malignancies or tumors also trigger the occurrence of this condition.

Among the manifestations of pleural effusion include shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, cough, or hiccups. Pleural effusion occurs when fluid accumulate around the lungs. Also known as visceral and parietal pleura, these membranes wrap and protect the lungs. They also lubricate to allow them to function properly. They exist with other organs also. However, their functions are threatened if fluid accumulates in these layers of tissue, lining the lungs and chest cavity. Thus occur malignant pleural mesothelioma, the cancer that hits the lining of the lung after mild or excessive exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelin May Play Multiple Roles in Spread of Mesothelioma, Other Cancers

Mesothelin, a type of protein present on the surface of some cells in the human body, can trigger mesothelioma and other types of cancer, including ovarian, pancreatic and abdominal cancers. Given of the vague biological purpose of this protein, it occurs that  it is excessively present in certain types of cancer cells that doctors would look to it for warning signs.

Cancer experts are assessing the part of mesothelin in hastening the occurrence of cancer, as well as, its “potential usefulness” as a signal of cancer for doctors who are trying to diagnose a patient’s disease, reports AboutMesothelioma.net.

While treatments are available for mesothelioma patients, still, no known cure has been invented as of yet. In the U.S. alone, around 3,000 people are found to be suffering from malignant mesothelioma. That’s on a yearly basis. The main cause is asbestos exposure at a workplace or during military service.

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP) reduces pulmonary function of mesothelioma patients

The Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals can reveal that patients who opt for pleural/decortication (P/D) has more chances of enjoying a more comfortable life compared to patients who undergo extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP).

Pleural mesothelioma originates from the skinny lining that wraps the lungs. Since it is very near the lungs, there is a high probability that pleural mesothelioma will eventually extend to the lung itself, thus, undermining the latter’s function. In the long run, the diseased mesothelium eventually thickens and hardens, thus, preventing the lungs’ expansion every time a patient breathes.

Pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy are the two major types of surgical treatments offered to mesothelioma patients. However, the medical community is divided as to which of the two offers better relief to the patients. While both operations are invasive in nature and aim to eliminate diseased pleural tissue, studies show that only extrapleural pneumonectomy can remove the diseased lung, the lymph nodes, parts of the covering of the heart (pericardium) and part if not all of the diaphragm, too.