What is Mesothelioma?

Causes

Mesothelioma is almost exclusively tied to prolonged asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that became very popular in the 20th century due to its heat resistance and insulating properties. Asbestos has been used in a variety of products from building materials to car parts.

In most cases, these fibers are inhaled and end up in the lining surrounding the lungs and chest, known as the pleura. In other cases, the fibers may be ingested and end up in the lining of the stomach and abdomen, known as the peritoneum.

In rare cases, asbestos fibers find their way to the pericardial lining surrounding the heart and cause pericardial mesothelioma. The causes of this type of mesothelioma are still being explored.

Risk Factors

Since asbestos was widely used in industrial and commercial products, a large number of individuals have been exposed to this toxic substance. People such as factory workers, shipbuilders, military veterans or insulation manufacturers who worked with asbestos while removing or installing it are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Family members of those who worked with asbestos are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers and dust carried into the home on work clothes could have been inhaled by family members. This is referred to as “secondary exposure.”

Selecting a Top Doctor is Critical

Selecting a mesothelioma specialist is the most important decision a patient can make. A general oncologist (cancer doctor) simply does not have the experience dealing with mesothelioma that a specialist has.

Mesothelioma specialists are not as common as other doctors because of the extreme rarity of mesothelioma (2,000 to 3,000 cases every year). Use our free Doctor Match program to find a mesothelioma specialist near you. Treatment prescribed by a mesothelioma specialist can significantly extend a patient’s life.

Many patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma after exhibiting a persistent cough or pneumonia-like symptoms. Because mesothelioma takes 20 to 50 years to develop, its symptoms often appear without warning. When a patient has persistent symptoms, doctors suggest imaging tests to look for any abnormalities or signs of cancer.

Medical imaging options include X-Rays, CT scans and PET scans. A doctor usually begins with an X-Ray to determine whether there are any irregularities in the patient. Following these imaging tests, a doctor may order a blood test for further evidence of the presence of mesothelioma. When cancer cells are present in the body, there are numerous proteins released that may be measured through a blood test.

Most mesothelioma biopsies are major surgeries and may require a multi-day hospital stay. The biopsy also determines cell type of the cancer, which can be epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic. All of this testing provides mesothelioma specialists with the information they need about the cancer to treat it effectively.

Once doctors have a definitive diagnosis of mesothelioma, they try to determine the current stage of the disease. Staging determines the cancer’s severity and also indicates which treatment options are available. Mesothelioma stages follow a system of assigning a number between 1 and 4 to the disease, with Stage 1 being the least severe and Stage 4 being the most progressed.

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  Stage 1

  Mesothelioma is localized to the point of origin. There is no lymph node involvement in this stage. Diagnoses at this stage are rare.

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  Stage 2

  Mesothelioma remains confined to the point of origin. Regional lymph nodes may be affected. Patients at this stage still have many treatment options, including aggressive surgery.

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  Stage 3

  Mesothelioma has spread beyond the point of origin. Additional lymph nodes are affected. Surgery may still be an option at this stage.

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  Stage 4

  Mesothelioma has spread to other organs and lymph nodes. Organ failure is possible at this stage. This stage has the fewest treatment options, so it is absolutely imperative to see a specialist.

Based on the stage of the patient’s disease, specialists either prescribe treatments to remove the cancer and extend life or simply focus on limiting patient discomfort. It should also be mentioned that there are several staging systems for mesothelioma, and a doctor might see different opportunities for treatment based on the system they follow. This is an important reason why patients should always consider getting a specialized second opinion.

Treatment isn’t one size fits all. Specialists choose from a variety of treatment options depending on the type of mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial), the cell type and the personal medical history of the patient. Search our Cancer Center Map to find treatment centers near you.

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  Surgery

  Though typically only available in the first two stages, surgery is the only treatment option known to significantly extend life.

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  Chemotherapy

  Chemotherapy circulates medication through the bloodstream, which slows or kills additional cancer growth.

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  Radiation

  High levels of radiation targeted at the affected area may kill cancerous cells and stop the growth of new cells.

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  Multimodal

  A specialist combines a number of different treatment options to combat mesothelioma, such as surgery and chemotherapy.

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  Clinical Trials

  There are many clinical studies being conducted to evaluate and develop new treatments. These clinical trials are an additional option to consider for patients and may lead to a future cure.

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  Alternative Treatment

  Some survivors credit alternative health options as instrumental in their recovery. Examples include yoga, meditation, and acupuncture.

The word “prognosis” comes from the Greek word meaning “pre-knowledge.” Prognosis is tied to life expectancy and survival rates. There are a series of steps that patients can take to increase life expectancy and improve prognosis.

Ways to Improve Prognosis

Learn more about how these steps factor into a better life expectancy and how you can take control of your prognosis in our free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide.