Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos. It affects the thin, protective membrane surrounding the lungs, heart and abdominal cavity. An estimated 3,000 cases annually are diagnosed in the United States, and the majority of those are traced to an occupational exposure.
Although the use of asbestos has been reduced dramatically in recent decades, the incidence of mesothelioma has remained steady. It can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before obvious symptoms appear and a definitive diagnosis is made. While there still is no cure - and the prognosis is typically poor - significant progress has been made in recent years regarding treatment options and various alternative therapies.
Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with mesothelioma? Learn what steps to take next. Check out our free treatment guide.
How Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma cancer develops after exposure to asbestos, which most often occurs in the workplace –in industrial settings, shipyards, auto repair shops, old houses, schools and public buildings. It takes long-term exposure to make someone at risk, but heavy, short-term asbestos exposure has been known to cause mesothelioma cancer.
Microscopic asbestos fibers are breathed in or swallowed. The human body has difficulty destroying or getting rid of these fibers. Over decades, the fibers cause biological changes that result in inflammation, scarring and genetic damage. The most susceptible area to these fibers is the lining of the lungs, called the pleura, although fibers also can become trapped in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Once fibers cause biological damage, the stage is set for a 20- to 50-year latency period for mesothelioma to develop.
Learn more about the causes of mesothelioma
Types and Symptoms
Pleural
develops in the
lining of the lungs
- coughing
- chest pain
- difficulty swallowing
- fatigue
- night sweats & fever
- shortness of breath
Pericardial
develops in the
lining of the heart
- coughing
- chest pain
- difficulty swallowing
- fatigue
- irregular heartbeat
- night sweats & fever
Peritoneal
develops in the
lining of the abdomen
- fatigue
- weight loss
- abdominal pain
- abdominal swelling
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation or diarrhea
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, representing about 75 percent of cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type, consisting of about 10 to 20 percent of cases. Approximately 1 percent of cases are of the pericardial variety. Another rare type known as testicular mesothelioma represents less than 1 percent of cases.
Learn more about mesothelioma types
How Mesothelioma is Diagnosed
All patients have a unique path to a diagnosis, but the most important factors to an accurate diagnosis are imaging scans and biopsies. Doctors use several tests to diagnose mesothelioma. Most people initially undergo a basic chest X-ray to check for any abnormalities. If abnormal growth is detected, a doctor will recommend a more detailed imaging scan like a PET scan, CT scan or MRI. If mesothelioma is suspected, a biopsy will be recommended. In a biopsy, a tissue sample is collected to confirm the presence of mesothelioma cells.
Blood tests for mesothelioma are also available, but they do not confirm the presence of mesothelioma. Research and development is underway to determine if mesothelioma blood tests can aid in early diagnosis for at-risk former asbestos workers.
Learn more about how mesothelioma is diagnosed
Staging
There are at least five systems that doctors use for the staging of pleural mesothelioma. Older systems like those created by Drs. Butchart and Sugarbaker did not classify tumors with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) descriptors, so the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG) developed the detailed IMIG staging system in 1995. This system is the most widely used staging system for mesothelioma.
Possible Areas Affected in Each IMIG Mesothelioma Stage
- 1. Parietal Pleura
- 2. Visceral Pleura
- 3. Lung Tissue
- 4. Diaphragm
- 5. Mediastinum
- 6. Lining of Heart
- 7. Lymph Nodes (on affected side of chest)
- 8. Lymph Nodes (on opposite side of chest)
Mesothelioma Treatment
Treatment options for mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Many mesothelioma doctors prefer to combine two or more of these treatments, an approach known as multimodal therapy. Clinical trials show this approach has improved survival rates.
Palliative treatments that ease symptoms are quite common for patients of all stages. Experimental therapies like immunotherapy are showing progress for the future of mesothelioma treatment. Additionally, less traditional alternative treatments are available and widely touted by mesothelioma survivors.
Learn more about mesothelioma treatment
Treatment Centers
The most regarded mesothelioma treatment centers attract patients from across the country. Renowned for their cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking research, these centers connect patients with a multidisciplinary team of physicians with years of experience in treating mesothelioma.
Brigham and Women’s International Mesothelioma Program, the nation's largest mesothelioma cancer center, conducts more than 310 consultations and treats around 180 mesothelioma patients a year. Other top treatment centers include the University of Chicago, the Abramson Cancer Center and the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas.
Find other leading mesothelioma treatment centers in the United States
Mesothelioma Doctors
Mesothelioma specialists encompass a number of specialties, including surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and palliative care specialists. All can be part of a mesothelioma treatment team.
Mesothelioma Research
Funding for mesothelioma research falls far short of that for other cancers, but new drugs and treatment options are facilitated through important clinical trials. These experimental studies are small and controlled opportunities for scientists to develop effective drugs like Cisplatin and Carboplatin. New cutting-edge clinical trials are being introduced all the time at cancer centers around the world.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is most affected by the stage of the cancer. Both early and late-stage patients have treatment options to improve their prognosis. Many mesothelioma patients live longer than their estimated life expectancy and such outcomes are dependent on a numbers of prognostic factors, including:
- Stage of cancer
- Type of mesothelioma
- Overall health
- Treatment options
- Symptoms
- Cell type
- Gender
- Size and location of tumor
Survivors
Despite the often poor prognosis of someone who has mesothelioma, there are a number of encouraging stories of success – bios of people who are beating the disease and living to celebrate special days with wives, husbands, kids and grandkids. Each mesothelioma survivor has a tale to tell, and there is something to take away from every story.
Featured Survivor: Bob Oberstar
Bob Oberstar of Wisconsin is a double-cancer survivor, having beaten pleural mesothelioma and prostate cancer ... Read More
Featured Survivor: Alexis Kidd
Alexis Kidd did something not many people do after getting mesothelioma. She got married . . . Read More
Featured Survivor: Angela Winsor
Angela Winsor is busy raising her family, running a business and outflanking mesothelioma . . . Read More
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
The Mesothelioma Center has designed a special collection of free resources to help mesothelioma patients through every step of the journey. Patients beginning to explore their treatment options may consider the Doctor Match services, which can match them with an experienced mesothelioma specialist in their area. Our patient advocates are available seven days a week to answer questions, clarify treatment options, connect patients with clinical trials, help file for Social Security, and provide various forms of support to patients and families.
The Mesothelioma Community
We have a strong mesothelioma community on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Every day new people join us in discussions on our Facebook wall and share personal stories and photos with us and with others. The community is its own support group. Members reach out to comfort one another and offer encouragement and hope. Along with our support and resources, we post daily articles and tips on ways to raise awareness. You don’t have to right mesothelioma alone. Join the community today.
Legal Help for Mesothelioma
People who have mesothelioma often have legal options to consider because of the cause of the disease – exposure to asbestos. Those options include filing a claim with an asbestos trust fund or filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against a company or companies they believe are responsible for the exposure that led to their illness.
A number of companies, even ones that went bankrupt, set up asbestos trust funds to pay out claims to people who were exposed at work, the primary way asbestos exposure occurs. The trust funds are not managed or overseen by the companies but instead are governed by a separate trustee. These trustees are charged with managing the trust for the benefit of current and future claimants.
One of the chief reasons to consider a legal option related to any asbestos-related disease is that the cost of treating these illnesses is expensive. A winning claim, a winning lawsuit or a case settlement can help patients recoup medical expenses and can help secure the financial future for their families.
Communicating with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer helps patients and families understand how legal options can help cover or other damages. In 2011, a government audit showed that there are $36.8 billion combined in all the asbestos trust funds.
These legal options exist because of liability. Asbestos-related diseases are considered 100 percent preventable. Asbestos mining companies, manufacturers of asbestos-containing products, employers who did not inform workers about potential exposure all could have some liability issue if they fail to prevent exposure to asbestos.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
