Key Facts About Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, a layer of protective tissue that covers the majority of internal organs.

Treatments are available to extend life expectancy and improve quality of life, but there is no cure for mesothelioma.

Tumor location determines the four types of mesothelioma.

Forms on the membrane or soft tissue lining, called the pleura, that covers the lungs. Accounts for the majority of all mesothelioma cases.

Forms on the tunica vaginalis or membrane that covers the testes. The rarest type of mesothelioma, representing less than 1% of cases.

Receive free overnight shipping and learn everything you need to know about this rare disease.

Asbestos causes mesothelioma. The carcinogen is the primary proven cause of the disease. Asbestos-related diseases may occur after repeated use of asbestos-contaminated products, such as talc and older construction materials.

This cancer begins to develop when a person inhales or swallows asbestos fibers. The fibers become lodged in the soft lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. Over time, tumors form on the damaged tissue, leading to mesothelioma.

Most people exposed to asbestos will not develop mesothelioma. However, some factors place specific people more at risk than others.

Mesothelioma tumors develop in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart.

People who handled or were around asbestos for prolonged periods of time have the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. Those in close contact with exposed workers are also at risk.

Workers in construction jobs, firefighters and auto mechanics are among the top high-risk jobs.

Service people were exposed to high levels of asbestos because it was used in all military branches.

Women, children and other household members exposed to asbestos fibers on a workers clothing, hair or skin.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include dry cough, shortness of breath and respiratory complications. Other symptoms, which typically vary by type of mesothelioma, appear when tumors spread, grow and press against the chest wall and the abdominal cavity.

Talking to a doctor about your symptoms can lead to an early mesothelioma diagnosis, allowing for more treatment options. Mesothelioma symptoms appear like other, more common cancers and illnesses, and misdiagnosis is common. Its essential to be aware of your history of asbestos exposure and discuss it with your doctor as soon as possible.

Doctors use several procedures and tests to diagnose mesothelioma, but only a biopsy can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. A mesothelioma diagnosis in the early stages of cancer improves a patients eligibility for more treatment options.

Patients can expect to undergo several imaging scans, blood tests and biopsy procedures after their mesothelioma diagnosis. These tests help doctors confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine cancer location, stage and cell type.

Most people initially undergo a basic chest X-ray to check for any abnormalities. If an abnormal growth or fluid around the lung is detected, doctors will recommend a more detailed imaging scan such as a PET scan, CT scan or MRI.

If cancer is suspected, doctors will recommend taking a sample of tissue, which is also known as a biopsy. Doctors use this tissue sample to definitively confirm the presence of malignant mesothelioma cells.

Blood tests may be used but do not confirm the presence of mesothelioma. Researchers are evaluating if blood tests can aid in the early diagnosis of at-risk former asbestos workers.

Get the latest information on top treatments, immunotherapy, clinical trials and more.

The three cell types of mesothelioma are epithelioid, sarcomatoid and biphasic. They are named for the characteristics of cells within tumors. Epithelioid is the most common and responds well to many treatments. Sarcomatoid and biphasic are rarer and more resistant to therapies.

These cells are the most responsive to treatment. This type of mesothelioma accounts for 70% of mesothelioma diagnoses. It also leads to improved prognosis and life expectancy.

Cells of this type are least responsive to treatment. Patients with these cell types have poorer diagnoses and shorter life expectancies. This mesothelioma type accounts for 10% of all cases.

This is a combination of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. Its less responsive to treatment. Prognosis and life expectancy depend on the ratio of both cell types. It accounts for 30% to 40% of cases.

Staging tracks malignant mesothelioma tumor growth and helps doctors make treatment plans and predict patient prognoses. The stages of mesothelioma range from 1 to 4 and are based on tumor size and location.

Early-stage mesothelioma is more confined to one site, while late-stage mesothelioma shows tumors spreading beyond the chest or abdominal cavity. Staging is an integral part of determining treatment.

The four stages of mesothelioma are used to determine cancer progression and available treatment options.

Tumors have spread from the original location into adjacent structures, and the median life expectancy is 20 months.

Cancer has spread into regional lymph nodes, and the median life expectancy is 17.9 months.

Find out which types of financial support you may qualify for, including trust fund payouts, prescription assistance, legal claims, discounted lodging and more.

The standard treatment for mesothelioma may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or multimodal therapy. Doctors develop a treatment plan based on cancer type, location and stage.

A multimodal or multidisciplinary approach involves a combination of multiple treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy, in a specific order based on the cancer stage.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy (lung removal) or pleurectomy and decortication (pleura removal) are mesothelioma surgeries that offer patients the best chance of survival.

More than 70% of mesothelioma patients undergo chemotherapy. These potent drugs shrink tumors and kill cancer cells but also have numerous side effects.

Doctors can administer mesothelioma radiation therapy at any cancer stage, often combined with surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation reduces pain and slows tumor growth.

Mesothelioma immunotherapy drugs control cancer growth using cells from the immune system. Immunotherapy eligibility and success rates vary for each patient.

The FDA-approved TTFields involves a battery-operated device worn on the skin in combination with chemotherapy to limit cancer growth.

Some patients may be eligible for mesothelioma clinical trials that test newer therapies. Though not every mesothelioma treatment is suitable for each patient, most patients can benefit from palliative care to help manage symptoms.

Because mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, many patients are misdiagnosed or do not have access to specialized care. Finding a local mesothelioma treatment center is the best way to benefit from the latest therapies and improve a mesothelioma prognosis.

Mesothelioma cancer centers across the U.S. employ the top mesothelioma doctors who have years of experience treating patients, improving their prognoses and extending their life expectancies.

Top mesothelioma doctors across the U.S. include:

The life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is about 12 months with treatment. About 10% of patients with pleural mesothelioma and 65% with peritoneal mesothelioma live for five years or longer. Prognosis refers to the overall outlook of a patients cancer based on their response to treatment.

Alongside cancer treatments, a healthier lifestyle and nutrient-rich diet can improve the quality of life with a malignant mesothelioma diagnosis. For example, quitting smoking and receiving flu and pneumonia vaccinations improves lung function and overall health.

Learn about healthy eating with mesothelioma and take control of your diet. Get quick and easy recipes to ease cancer symptoms.

Many free resources, such as medical webinars and support groups, help patients and families better understand and cope after a diagnosis. General support options, caregiver resources and financial assistance can lower your familys emotional, physical and monetary burden.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that commonly develops in the thin tissue lining the lungs or abdomen. What makes this cancer unique is that it is caused almost exclusively by inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers.

The terms mesothelioma and malignant mesothelioma usually refer to the cancerous and aggressive form of the disease. Non-cancerous or benign mesothelioma tumors can also occur throughout the body but do not spread as quickly and do not typically return after surgery.

Mesothelioma is not a form of lung cancer. While both are types of cancer, mesothelioma grows on the pleura lining the outside of the lungs, diaphragm and chest cavity. Lung cancer develops within the lung space. Both diseases share similar symptoms, such as shortness of breath and chest pain, and can occur after inhaling asbestos fibers.

Asbestos is the only proven cause of mesothelioma. The primary risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure from serving in the military or working jobs that involve handling products contaminated with asbestos.

Mesothelioma is incurable, though researchers continue investigating new therapy options in clinical trials. Some patients live several years beyond the average life expectancy, and recent treatment advancements, such as immunotherapy, provide patients hope for an eventual cure.

You may be eligible to seek compensation for mesothelioma from asbestos trust funds, lawsuits or VA claims. Financial assistance helps cover the cost of treatment expenses and lost wages. Speaking with a mesothelioma lawyer is the best way to learn about your legal options if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Read more:

Mesothelioma Cancer: Symptoms, Life Expectancy, Risk Factors ... - asbestos