Mesothelioma: Facts, Resources, and Information

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Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that begins in cells that line and protect certain parts of the body, mostly in the chest and the abdomen. The membrane, or lining, that is created by these cells is called the mesothelium. The mesothelium creates a special fluid that allows organs to move. For example, this fluid allows the lungs to move more easily while breathing.

Like other cancers, tumors of the mesothelium can be benign, or they can be malignant. The full name for cancer of the mesothelium is malignant mesothelioma, but most medical professionals and patients shorten it to just mesothelioma.

What is Mesothelioma?

The National Cancer Institute reports that 70% to 80% of the mesothelioma cancer cases appear in people who have a history of working with asbestos. While the incidence rates of mesothelioma have grown over the last 20 years, mesothelioma, regardless of type, is still considered a relatively rare form of cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Men are more likely than women to have mesothelioma, and the risk of developing this cancer increases as people age.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 3 out of 4 mesotheliomas start in the chest cavity. These are called pleural mesotheliomas. Peritoneal mestheliomas, or those that begin in the abdomen area, account for about 10$ to 20% of all cases. There have also been cases of mesotheliomas developing in the tissue surrounding the testicles, but these cases are extraordinarily rare.

The Four Types of Mesothelioma

There are 4 main types of mesotheliomas. Once the cells have been viewed under a microscope, the type of mesothelioma can be determined, putting it into one of the following types:

Epithelioid: This type of mesothelioma is the most common of all of the types. The American Cancer Society advises that epithelioid mesothelioma tends to have a better overall prognosis than the other types.

Sarcomatoid: Approximately 1 to 2 out of 10 patients diagnosed with mesotheliomas have this type.

Mixed (biphasic): This type of mesothelioma has features of both sarcomatoid and epithelioid types. Approximately 3 to 4 out of 10 mesotheliomas are the mixed type.

Desmoplastic: This type of mesothelioma is rare.

Risk Factors for Mesothelioma

One of the most prominent factors for mesothelioma is working with asbestos. Asbestos is the name of a naturally occurring minerals. These minerals are made of strong, flexible strands of fiber that can be separated into thin pieces and woven to make strong materials. Asbestos has been used in industrial and commercial products including cement, roof shingles, textiles, and insulation. When the tiny particles of asbestos float in the air, such as during manufacturing, they can be inhaled or swallowed, causing serious health problems, including mesothelioma. Other health problems from exposure to asbestos include an increased risk for lung cancer, asbestosis, and larynx or kidney cancer.

Asbestos has been mined and used in commercial projects since the late 1800s. During World War II, it was used extensively, and millions of people have been exposed to asbestos dust since the early 1940s. While the risk of working with asbestos was not initially known, asbestos miners and manufacturers, as well as laborers to who worked with asbestos-based products stood out as a group that had a significant increase in cases of mesothelioma. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) now regulates what levels of asbestos exposure are considered acceptable for workers, and protective equipment must always be worn.

The American Cancer Society advises that there is some evidence suggesting that family members and others living with those who work with asbestos have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma or some other asbestos-related diseases. As such, they recommend that asbestos workers shower and change before leaving their workplace, to help avoid exposing others to the asbestos fibers.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Many of the symptoms of mesothelioma can mimic less serious health problems, resulting in a delayed diagnosis. In many cases, the symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear for as many as 30 to 50 years after exposure to the asbestos. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pains, or an accumulation of fluid in the pleura.

Peritoneal mesothelioma has more symptoms, including:

• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain and swelling as a result of fluid buildup
• Bowel obstruction
• Blood clotting abnormalities
• Anemia
• Fever

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Because the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of many other health concerns, diagnosing someone with mesothelioma can be difficult. A complete physical examination will be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen. The exam will likely include some lung function tests, and the physician may also order a CT scan or MRI to provide a more complete picture of the body. Anyone with a history of exposure to asbestos should inform the medical professional in the first meeting, to help him or her diagnosis the health problem.

A biopsy, which involves analyzing a tissue sample, will be performed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A pathologist or an oncologist will review the tissue sample to determine if the tumors are benign (not cancerous) or are malignant mesothelioma.

If the biopsy confirms the diagnosis of mesothelioma, the next step will be determining the stage, or extent, of the disease. This phase involves more testing to determine if the cancer has spread, and if so, to where. This crucial step of diagnosing mesothelioma helps the doctor determine the best course of action for treatment.

If the cancer has been found only on the membrane surface where it started, it is classified as localized. If it has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, or abdominal organs, it is classified as advanced.

Treating Mesothelioma

The treatment options for those with mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the general health of the patient. The standard treatment options for mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. In some cases, the medical team treating the patient will combine these treatments.

In surgery, the doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or the abdomen. Sometimes a lung or part of the diaphragm may also need to be removed.

Radiation therapy, which is sometimes referred to as radiotherapy, uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and help shrink the tumors. Radiotherapy is used directly in the area affected and targets the cancer cells in that area alone.

Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the whole body. Most of the drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given intravenously through an IV.

In addition to treating the cancer, the doctor may also use a process to remove fluid in the chest or abdomen to help relieve some of the symptoms and pain from the mesothelioma. A thin tube or needle may be inserted into the area to drain the fluid, and in some cases, drugs may be delivered to the area to prevent more fluid from accumulating.

Resources About Mesothelioma

Fact Sheet About Mesothelioma from the National Cancer Institute at the U.S. Department of Health
American Cancer Society Information About Mesothelioma
Columbia University Medical Center Overview of Mesothelioma

Resource by AnnaBelle

Annalise Kaylor is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant specializing in search engine optimized content for the web. As a writer, her work has appeared across the United States in print ads for Whirlpool, Maytag, Home Depot, and Lowe's, among others. As a consultant, she has worked primarily in the education sector, helping universities increase their web visibility and construct and implement social media strategy. Annalise is an avid reader, knitter, organic gardener and baker, as well as the author of the popular baking blog, Knead To Be Loaved. Annalise enjoys fly fishing, camping, and hiking.

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