Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that typically affects the lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can develop in the mesothelium of the thoracic cavity in the lungs.

Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around 3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. This cancer occurs about four times more frequently in men than in women and all forms of mesothelioma, except for benign mesothelioma, are invariably fatal.

The life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is generally reported as less than one year following diagnosis, however a patient’s prognosis is affected by numerous factors including how early the cancer is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the mesothelium causing cells in the membrane to become cancerous and divide rapidly. This causes the thickening of the membrane, fluid buildup and the formation of tumors. This can result in difficulty breathing, nausea, fatigue and a myriad of other concerns.

Mesothelioma Causes

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure which occurs when fibers are inhaled or ingested into the body and become lodged in body cavities, causing inflammation or infection. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that was widely used in the 20th century in a number of different industries. When the public became aware of the hazards associated with the mineral, warnings were issued in the mid-1970s and use of the product began to decline.

It is estimated that approximately 80 percent of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure and more than 30 percent of those diagnosed are veterans. Please visit the page on asbestos for additional information about the mineral.

Mesothelioma Types

There are five known types of mesothelioma. The four listed below are malignant cancers, and benign mesothelioma is a non-cancerous condition.

Once asbestos is inhaled it can effect many of the bodys different organs including the throat, lungs, stomach, heart and testicles.

Pleural Mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, with around 70 percent of cases being pleural in origin.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Comprising approximately 25 percent of mesothelioma cases, this form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane.

Pericardial Mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. Approximately 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial.

Testicular Mesothelioma: Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles and is the rarest form of the cancer.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma often do not appear for 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos occurred. Mesothelioma symptoms often resemble less-serious conditions, which can make diagnosis difficult. Below is a list of several common symptoms mesothelioma patients may experience.

Pleural Symptoms: Shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough, fatigue, lumps under the skin on the chest

Peritoneal Symptoms: Weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling, bowel obstruction, nausea

Pericardial Symptoms: Heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, difficulty breathing, night sweats

Testicular Symptoms: Painful or painless testicular lumps

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

A medical exam is the first step in diagnosing an asbestos-related illness.

The process of mesothelioma diagnosis usually begins with a review of a patient’s medical history followed by a physical examination.

If a problem is suspected, a doctor may request several diagnostic tests. These typically include medical imaging scans such as:

• X-rays
• CT scans
• PET scans
• MRI scans

A combination of these tests is often used to determine the location, size and type of the cancer. Biopsy procedures are often requested following an imaging scan to test samples of fluid and tissue for the presence of cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma Treatments

After a patient begins to demonstrate mesothelioma symptoms and a diagnosis occurs, the next step is often exploring applicable treatment options to create the best treatment plan possible. Treatment options range from surgery to chemotherapy and Asbestos.com offers mesothelioma patients and their loved ones comprehensive information about current treatment options and new developments in a complimentary informational packet available here.

There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma patients including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

The most common mesothelioma treatments recommended by doctors for patients include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Experimental procedures, including immunotherapy and gene therapy are also utilized by mesothelioma patients. Patients often undergo multiple treatments to combat the disease.

Experimental treatments are also available to patients who participate in a clinical trial, conducted to test up-and-coming procedures and medications.

Mesothelioma Legal Issues

The dangers of asbestos exposure were known long before any efforts were made to protect workers. Thousands of American workers were exposed to asbestos during the 20th century, and were often unaware of the hazards of exposure.

Companies that produced asbestos-containing products or used these products on a daily basis are liable for their negligence in failing to protect their workers. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease as a result of asbestos exposure, you may wish to speak with an attorney to seek compensation to help cover medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering. For more information about legal options please click here.

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Definition: Mesothelium

The mesothelium, comprised of mesothelial cells, is the membrane that lines three of the body's cavities and depending on what cavity it lines, it is given a specific name: the thoracic cavity (pleura), abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and the heart sac (pericardium). The mesothelium that covers the internal organs is called the visceral mesothelium, while the layer that covers the body wall is called parietal mesothelium. Mesothelium tissue also surrounds the male internal reproductive organs and covers the internal reproductive organs in women.