Mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos.

The American Cancer Society records about 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma each year in the U.S.

Its most common symptoms include coughing, pain in the chest or abdomen and fluid around the lungs. Doctors often treat the cancer with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation or a combination of all three treatment options.

While these treatments control tumor growth, researchers have not found a definitive cure for the cancer.

Causes

Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of the cancer.

Mesothelioma develops when a person ingests asbestos, and it causes changes to a person’s DNA.

Our genes, which are made of DNA, control how cells grow, multiply and die. Changes in our genes may cause cells to divide out of control and may lead to cancer.

Development of Mesothelioma

1. A person inhales or swallows airborne asbestos fibers.
2. The asbestos fibers become lodged in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart.
3. The embedded fibers damage the mesothelial cells and cause inflammation.
4. Over time, tumors begin to form on the damaged mesothelium, which is the lining of the abdomen, lung, heart and testes.

Tumors also can be benign (noncancerous). But when tumors are cancerous, doctors call the disease malignant mesothelioma. It is often shortened to mesothelioma.

Read More About Mesothelioma Causes

Symptoms

Common mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Dry coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Respiratory complications
• Pain in the chest or abdomen
• Fever or night sweats
• Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs)
• Fatigue
• Weakness in the muscles

These mesothelioma symptoms usually do not show until tumors have grown and spread. Mesothelioma latency is 20-50 years. That’s how long it takes from initial exposure to accurate diagnosis. For that reason, many people with mesothelioma are in their 60s or 70s.

You should talk to a mesothelioma specialist soon if you have a history of asbestos exposure and experience these symptoms. An early mesothelioma diagnosis may improve your prognosis and life expectancy.

Read More About Mesothelioma Symptoms

Types of Mesothelioma

Oncologists name each type of mesothelioma by the location in the body where it develops.

The pleural and peritoneal types of mesothelioma are the most common. Pericardial accounts for 1 percent of cases. Another rare type is testicular mesothelioma. It represents less than 1 percent of all mesotheliomas.

Prognosis, symptoms and treatment options vary by type.

Who Is Most at Risk of Mesothelioma?

Veterans

Asbestos use in the military was widespread from 1940 to 1980. Veterans from all branches of the U.S. armed forces were at risk of exposure. Navy veterans are most at risk. This branch used the largest quantity of asbestos products.

Occupational Exposure

More than 75 occupations have exposed workers to asbestos. Auto mechanics, textile workers, steel mill workers, construction workers and firefighters are among the most at risk.

Secondary Exposure

Asbestos workers unknowingly carried asbestos fibers on their body and clothing. This resulted in secondary asbestos exposure among residents such as women and children.

Prognosis

Younger patients and women have a better mesothelioma prognosis than older men. People diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma also have a higher chance of survival.

Patients eligible to undergo multimodal therapy, which is a combination of two or more standard-of-care treatments, have a better life expectancy and improved prognosis.

A patient’s mesothelioma cell type also plays a significant role in prognosis and life expectancy.

The three types of cells include:

Epithelioid

These cells are the most responsive to treatment, which improves prognosis and life expectancy. They comprise 50 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses.

Sarcomatoid

These cells are the least responsive to treatment. Patients with this cell type have a poorer prognosis and shorter life expectancy. These cells comprise 10 percent of diagnoses.

Biphasic

A combination of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. This type is less responsive to treatment. But prognosis and life expectancy depends on the ratio of both types of cells. This type accounts for 30-40 percent of diagnoses.

Common Questions About Mesothelioma Prognosis

How Long Do Mesothelioma Patients Live?

The life expectancy for most patients is about 12 months after diagnosis.

What Factors Affect Prognosis?

Stage and cell type of the cancer are the factors that most affect prognosis. Age, gender and patient’s asbestos exposure history also affect survival outlook.

How Can Patients Improve Their Prognosis?

Eating a nutrient-rich diet, undergoing cancer treatments, including multimodal therapy, and staying healthy can improve prognosis.

Learn how to improve your prognosis

The Four Stages of Mesothelioma

Importance of Finding a Mesothelioma Specialist

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer. It represents only 0.3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. Most doctors and oncologists have never encountered it.

A 2009 study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine states that cancer care “requires the technical knowledge and skills of specialty physicians such as medical oncologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists.”

Specialty cancer doctors establish:

• Goals for treatment and prognosis
• Possible use of chemotherapy
• First type of treatment
• Possible participation in clinical trials

These are factors that impact a mesothelioma patient’s survival. That’s why finding a mesothelioma specialist is so important.

Finding a mesothelioma specialty center with experienced mesothelioma doctors is crucial to survival.

Top Pleural Specialists

Abraham Lebenthal

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Dr. Abraham Lebenthal is a respected thoracic surgeon who treats pleural mesothelioma patients at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Boston VA Hospital. Lebenthal worked alongside Dr. David Sugarbaker at Brigham and teaches at Harvard Medical School.

Get in touch

Robert B. Cameron

UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dr. Robert B. Cameron developed a lung-sparing surgery for pleural mesothelioma that not only extends survival, but offers greater quality of life by preserving the lung. Cameron’s surgery has a lower risk of complications and studies report longer survival times.

Get in touch

Jacques Fontaine

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center

Dr. Jacques Fontaine is the Director of the Mesothelioma Research and Treatment Center at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. He specializes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery including robotic surgery. Fontaine became a pleural mesothelioma specialist at Brigham & Women’s Hospital’s International Mesothelioma Program.

Get in touch

Top Peritoneal Specialists

Paul H. Sugarbaker

Washington Cancer Center

Dr. Paul Sugarbaker is the country’s leading expert on peritoneal mesothelioma. He developed the widely renowned cytoreductive surgery and heated chemotherapy technique that changed the landscape of peritoneal cancer treatment. Many people with peritoneal mesothelioma are alive today because of Sugarbaker’s innovations.

Get in touch

W. Charles Conway

Ridley-Tree Cancer Center

Dr. W. Charles Conway is an expert in peritoneal mesothelioma and the Director of Surgical Oncology at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center in Santa Barbara, California. He specializes in minimally invasive robotic surgery and heated chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma.

Get in touch

J.F. Pingpank Jr.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Dr. J.F. Pingpank Jr. is a peritoneal mesothelioma expert who advocates for regional therapy. The approach applies treatment locally around the cancer to limit damage to the rest of the body. Pingpank specializes in cytoreductive surgery and heated chemotherapy.

Get in touch

Treatment Options

Mesothelioma treatment helps patients live longer lives. But not every patient is eligible for each type of mesothelioma treatment.

The most common treatments for mesothelioma include:

Surgery

Offers greatest chance of survival. Usually used for diagnosis, tumor removal or palliative care to reduce pain. Patients with strong health and limited cancer spread are good candidates.

Chemotherapy

More than 70 percent of patients undergo chemotherapy. It uses powerful drugs to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy

Used to reduce pain from growing tumors. When combined with surgery and chemotherapy, it reduces risk of local recurrence. It can be used at any cancer stage.

Immunotherapy

This experimental treatment boosts the immune system to fight the cancer. Primarily used in clinical trials.

Multimodal Therapy

A combination of two or more treatments. Clinical studies show this approach improves survival rates.

HIPEC

A multimodal treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma patients. Surgery is first used to remove as many tumors as possible. Heated chemotherapy is then applied to the abdominal cavity to destroy remaining cancer cells.

Palliative Treatments

May include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or HIPEC. The purpose is not curative care. Instead, the goal is to reduce pain and improve quality of life. Good for any mesothelioma patient.

Read more about mesothelioma treatment

Quick Fact:

More than 70 percent of mesothelioma patients undergo chemotherapy

Clinical Trials and Emerging Treatments

Clinical trials offer mesothelioma patients access to experimental therapies. They also provide scientific and medical information for researches to develop new treatments. Patients in clinical trials also receive excellent medical care.

Alternative Treatments

Herbal medicines, mind-body therapies, holistic healing and other complementary therapies may benefit patients.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits and Financial Assistance

Why Should You File?

Many companies that produced, distributed or used asbestos products knew it was deadly. But they neglected to warn their employees. Filing a lawsuit can help mesothelioma patients cover lost wages, medical expenses and other costs.

Quick Fact:

$180,000 is the median value for mesothelioma claims, according to a 2010 report from the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit institution that conducts research and analysis on asbestos bankruptcy trusts.

Who Can File a Lawsuit?

A person with mesothelioma can file a personal injury lawsuit. Mesothelioma lawyers file these against companies responsible for their client’s asbestos exposure. Families can file wrongful death claims when a loved one dies of mesothelioma.

How Do I File a Lawsuit?

Qualified mesothelioma attorneys can help you decide when to file a lawsuit. They can also guide you through the process. Time is of the essence because statute of limitations may expire. A mesothelioma lawyer will review your case so you receive the highest compensation.

Learn How to Hire a Qualified Mesothelioma Lawyer

Other Types of Financial Assistance

VA Claims

Military veterans can file asbestos-related claims through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Medicare and Medicaid

Government aid for older patients or those with limited income.

Workers’ Compensation

Financial help may be available to people exposed to asbestos on the job.

Mesothelioma Support

Support is available for mesothelioma patients, survivors and loved ones in many forms.

Mesothelioma Support Groups

Offer patients and survivors a safe place to share experiences.

Grief Support

Counseling sessions and grief support groups can bring peace of mind. They can also provide the coping skills needed to grieve for the loss of a loved one.

Medical Support

A complete medical team with a mesothelioma specialist, dietitian, patient advocate and others can improve prognosis.

The Mesothelioma Center’s monthly online support group meets every second Wednesday. Licensed mental health counselor Dana Nolan runs the support group. Patients and survivors can share their experiences with others on a similar cancer journey.

Common Questions and Answers

• What are the first signs of mesothelioma?

  The first signs of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, cough and chest pain. Other initial symptoms include wheezing, weight loss and fatigue.

• Can mesothelioma be cured if caught early?

  While there is no cure for any stage or type of mesothelioma, some early-stage patients have gone into remission for years after treatment. Remission means the cancer has stopped growing and spreading. Patients diagnosed early enough to qualify for surgery have the best chance of achieving remission.

• Why was my stage 4 mesothelioma not detected during my regular checkups?

  Unfortunately, a number of stage 4 mesothelioma cases do not produce symptoms that clearly indicate a diagnosis of mesothelioma. The symptoms of mesothelioma lead most general practitioners to a diagnosis of pneumonia or another pulmonary condition. In most cases, mesothelioma is diagnosed in stage 4 at a hospital or cancer center by an oncologist and not by general practitioner.