Mesothelioma Overview

Mesothelioma Causes & Steps After a Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells that lines many organs and body cavities. The mesothelium (composed 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).

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

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.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the mesothelium, in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide uncontrollably and without order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the thoracic cavity (pleura) or the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).

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. All forms of mesothelioma, except for benign mesothelioma, are invariably fatal. The prognosis for mesothelioma is almost always poor and most studies report a median survival of less than one year, but the prognosis really depends on how early the cancer is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.

After a mesothelioma patient learns of their diagnosis, the next step is often exploring applicable treatment options to create the best treatment plan possible. Treatment options range from surgery to chemotherapy and we offer information about the various types of treatment available to patients. To help you learn more about these options, we provide an informational packet to interested patients and their loved ones at the top, right of this page.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that was widely used in the twentieth century in a number of different industries. Popular because of its durability, fire resistance, and insulating properties, it was regularly used in the manufacture of several thousand different products, up until the time that asbestos warnings were issued in the mid-1970s. It is estimated that approximately 80 to 90 percent of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure.

The exact way in which asbestos causes mesothelioma is not well understood though doctors and researchers have put forth many hypotheses. What is apparent, however, is that any length of exposure to asbestos can be hazardous and may result in the development of asbestos-related diseases later in life.

Types of Mesothelioma

There are five known types of mesothelioma. Four of these are malignant cancers, and one is a benign 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: This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane. Approximately 25 percent of mesothelioma cases are of this type.

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

Testicular Mesothelioma: This is the rarest type of malignant mesothelioma; to date, there have been less than 100 recorded cases. Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles.

Benign Mesothelioma: The benign form of mesothelioma most commonly develops in the pleura. This is the only form of mesothelioma for which full cure and recovery is a probable outcome, though it may be a precursor of future asbestos-related problems.

Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, largely due to the fact that it remains latent in the body for up to five decades and is usually not diagnosed until its late stages.

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

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain, and persistent cough. However, some patients may not show any symptoms at all. A frequent sign is pleural effusion (water in the lungs).

Some symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling, and bowel obstruction. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, some other common symptoms may include trouble swallowing, swelling of the neck or face, blood clotting problems, anemia, and fever.

Also, diagnosis may be difficult due to the non-specific nature of most mesothelioma symptoms, which often resemble symptoms of less serious diseases.

The process of diagnosis usually begins with a compilation of the patient's full medical and work history, including any exposure to asbestos. A medical examination is performed and if a problem is suspected, one or more diagnostic tests are ordered. These typically include medical imaging tests such as x-rays, CT, and MRI scans, as well as biopsy procedures that test samples of fluid and tissue for the presence of cancer cells. Diagnostic tests are also used to determine how far the cancer has advanced, and whether it has spread to other locations in the body.

Mesothelioma Treatment

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

Mesothelioma treatments can be divided into two main categories: curative treatments and palliative treatments. Curative treatments are those carried out in an attempt to remove all cancer cells and cure the disease. Palliative treatments are designed to ease pain and make a patient more comfortable.

Treatments for mesothelioma include conventional treatments such as surgery, mesothelioma chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, as well as experimental procedures, including immunotherapy and gene therapy.

Generally, a patient with mesothelioma will receive more than one type of conventional treatment. For example, they may undergo surgery to remove the bulk of cancerous tissue, and then receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.

Experimental treatments are typically available only to patients who agree to enter clinical trials. In these cases, patients must fit certain criteria to be eligible.