Testicular Mesothelioma
Testicular Mesothelioma is the rarest of all the Mesothelioma with less than one hundred cases reported worldwide. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure and develops in the tunica vaginalis, a membrane that surrounds the testicle providing protection and support.
Symptoms of Testicular Mesothelioma-
Testicular Mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of mesothelioma and because of this there is no particular set of symptoms on which to go by. Very few cases of Testicular Mesothelioma have been reported, most of those that have been reported, the symptoms were limited to testicular lumps and swelling of the scrotum.
Testicular Mesothelioma Diagnosis-
Since Testicular Mesothelioma is so rare and the symptoms are so few, this type of cancer is rarely ever diagnosed before the appearance of the testicular lumps has occurred as previously mentioned under the Symptoms of Testicular Mesothelioma section above.
In some instances Testicular Mesothelioma has been discover accidentally during another medical procedure such as hernia surgery. In these cases a portion of the tissue or the entire tumor was removed for testing.
Testicular Mesothelioma Treatment-
Testicular Mesothelioma treatment usually involves the removal of a portion, the entire, or both testicles. It is important to note that Testicular Mesothelioma is generally a secondary cancer site originating from the peritoneum which is the abdominal area. This means that the treatment of Testicular Mesothelioma is generally a single step in a series of steps to treat the entire problem.
Both Peritoneal and Testicular Mesothelioma are considered very aggressive cancers and have a history of spreading rapidly. Testicular Mesothelioma is also known for recurring after a few years even when the tumors where surgically removed.
Treatments of Testicular Mesothelioma often include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation treatment. Testicular Mesothelioma is a cancer and is treated as one, but because of its aggressiveness, it is typically an ongoing battle for the patient.
Asbestos and Testicular Mesothelioma-
Testicular Mesothelioma as mentioned before is very rare and it is still unclear as to how the asbestos causes Testicular Mesothelioma. As with other mesothelioma versions, there are theories as to how and why asbestos causes Testicular Mesothelioma.
Once asbestos fibers get lodged in the tunica vaginalis swelling and irritation can begin. This swelling and irritation negatively affects the mesothelial cells causing fluid buildup and eventually the cells become cancerous. The cancerous cells begin to grow and divide irregularly and can eventually cause the growth of tumors.
As with the other forms of malignant mesothelioma the protective mesothelial membrane will thicken causing fluid buildup. The bodies own defense to this ultimately is just fuel for the cancerous cells to grow and spread.