Understanding Mesothelioma
A clear, factual guide to malignant mesothelioma — what it is, how it develops, its symptoms, and the treatment options available today.
A Cancer Caused by Asbestos Exposure
Malignant mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure that most commonly develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. Mesothelioma can also affect the lining of the abdomen, and in rare instances, tumors may develop in the lining of the heart or testes.
It's an aggressive disease, but treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy have helped patients live longer, fuller lives after a diagnosis.
Key Facts on Malignant Mesothelioma
Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products hid the link between asbestos and mesothelioma for decades to keep making profits. As a result, millions of civilian workers, military personnel, and their families were exposed to asbestos without knowing the risks.
Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.
Years can pass between asbestos exposure and a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Of all mesothelioma cases occur in military veterans.
Onset — patients typically report a slow increase in cough, shortness of breath, and fluid buildup.
How Does Asbestos Exposure Cause Mesothelioma?
It takes 10 to 50 years after asbestos exposure for mesothelioma to develop. The process includes four key stages.
Exposure
When asbestos is disturbed, people may inhale or ingest fibers.
Buildup
Asbestos fibers become lodged in the protective linings of organs and accumulate with repeated exposure.
Damage
Asbestos fibers irritate healthy tissue and cause inflammation.
Cancer
Over time, the irritation can cause cancerous tumors to form.
Anyone exposed to asbestos — directly or secondhand — is at risk of developing mesothelioma and other diseases like lung cancer or asbestosis later in life.
Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary based on where the cancer forms in the body. However, there are some general symptoms common among patients.
- Abdominal pain and/or chest pain
- Fever
- Fluid buildup in the chest (pleural effusion)
- Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Night sweats
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
If the cancer is caught in the early stages, most patients experience mild and vague symptoms. Once the cancer starts to spread, more severe systemic symptoms may appear.
Types of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is classified by where in the body the cancer develops. Each type has a different prognosis and treatment approach.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Forms in the lining of the lungs and chest wall. This type makes up over 75% of reported mesothelioma cases. It is characterized by four stages — early stages are typically limited to the chest and are easier to treat with surgery, while later stages can spread to distant organs.
75%+ of all casesPeritoneal Mesothelioma
Develops in the abdominal lining (the peritoneum), making up 10% to 15% of all cases. Because it doesn't directly affect the heart or lungs unless it spreads, patients often have higher survival rates. More than half of patients live at least 5 years after diagnosis with cytoreductive surgery combined with HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy).
10–15% of all casesPericardial Mesothelioma
Forms in the pericardium, the tissue surrounding the heart. This type makes up less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases and has a poor prognosis, with an average life expectancy of around 2 months after diagnosis.
Less than 1% of casesTesticular Mesothelioma
Develops in the lining of the testes (the tunica vaginalis). Only 151 cases have been reported over the past 11 years. Despite its rarity, it is highly treatable, with an average life expectancy of 46.7 months.
151 cases reported in 11 yearsThe Four Stages of Mesothelioma Cancer
Staging helps doctors determine which treatments will be most effective. Earlier stages are generally easier to treat with surgery.
Stage 1 Mesothelioma
Cancer has not yet spread beyond the lung lining. Surgery is often indicated at this stage and may increase survival time by several months or years.
How Do I Know If I Have Mesothelioma?
You can confirm whether you have mesothelioma by making an appointment with a specialist for a diagnosis. Doctors take the following steps to diagnose this cancer:
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1
Physical Exam
Patients complaining of possible mesothelioma symptoms should get a physical and tell their doctor about prior asbestos exposure.
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2
Imaging Tests
Doctors will order chest X-rays, CT scans, and/or MRIs to look for signs of mesothelioma, like pleural thickening and fluid around the lungs.
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3
Biopsy
A biopsy is the only way to confirm a diagnosis. A pathologist examines a fluid/tissue sample under a microscope to check for malignant mesothelial cells.
Treatment Options for Malignant Mesothelioma
All patients can benefit from mesothelioma treatment in some way, whether to potentially increase life expectancy or reduce symptoms. The best approach depends on the type and stage of the cancer.
Chemotherapy
Used as a standalone treatment or combined with surgery to kill remaining cancer cells, usually given in cycles over several weeks or months.
Clinical Trials
Constantly testing newer treatments like targeted therapy and cancer vaccines to see if they can help patients live longer.
Immunotherapy
Works by boosting the body's immune system to target mesothelioma cells. Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab) are currently approved options.
Palliative Care
Helps patients manage pain and improve quality of life. Often used throughout the full course of a patient's diagnosis.
Radiation Therapy
Uses high-energy beams to damage the DNA of cancer cells and shrink cancerous tumors.
Surgery
Performed with the goal of removing tumors and any surrounding tissue affected by the cancer.
Tumor Treating Fields
Adhesive patches attached to the chest that generate electrical waves which disrupt mesothelioma's ability to spread. Combined with chemotherapy, with few side effects.
Got a Question? We're Here to Help.
Yes, mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by breathing in or swallowing asbestos fibers. Over decades, asbestos can cause healthy cells in the body to mutate and become cancerous.
Roughly 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S. each year, according to the American Cancer Society.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects different parts of the mesothelium, which is the thin layer of tissue that lines most of the body's internal organs.
It can occur in various parts of the body, but the most common form is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs (pleura). Other less common types include peritoneal mesothelioma (affects the abdominal lining), pericardial mesothelioma (affects the heart lining), and testicular mesothelioma (affects the lining of the testicles).
Mesothelioma is primarily triggered by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in various industries for its heat resistance and insulating properties.
When asbestos fibers are released into the air and breathed in or swallowed, they can become trapped in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or other organs, leading to inflammation, scarring, and eventually the development of mesothelioma cancer.
Mesothelioma can cause painful symptoms, but the level of discomfort is unique to each patient and can fluctuate based on the stage of the disease.
In advanced stages, patients can have more severe chest pain from tumors pressing against nearby tissues or organs.