What is Benign Non-Malignant Mesothelioma?

If you are at all familiar with mesothelioma, you probably associate the word with a type of cancer that is almost always fatal. However, there is another form of the disease known as benign non-malignant mesothelioma. While it is not cancer, it can still cause serious problems.

How Benign Non-Malignant Mesothelioma Develops

A person who has benign non-malignant mesothelioma has a tumor, just like malignant mesothelioma. However, this type of tumor is not cancerous. It grows very slowly and does not spread throughout the body.

In some instances, though, benign non-malignant mesothelioma tumors can grow large enough that they can lead to severe issues if not removed. Tumors tend to first appear as a solitary fibrous mass, while malignant mesothelioma tumors typically first appear as a scattering of small nodules. Some of the complications associated with these larger tumors include:

• Coma
• Low blood sugar
• Seizures
• Swelling in the bones and joints

Benign non-malignant mesothelioma occurs far more in women in their 60s and 70s but can develop in men as well.

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While benign non-malignant mesothelioma is typically not linked to asbestos exposure, malignant mesothelioma is. People with the disease only live about a year on average after a diagnosis, and although progress is being made in terms of finding effective treatments, there is still no cure.