A cancer type that begins in the cells called mesothelium is called Mesothelioma. A thin layer that covers multiple body organs is called mesothelium. In most cases, it occurs in the tissue that surrounds the lungs (also known as pleural mesothelioma). However, this cancer type may occur in the abdomen, around the heart or testicles, and other body parts.
In some cases, this cancer type is called malignant mesothelioma because it grows quite fast and may lead to death. While there are multiple treatments available, many people with cancer have no cure.
Symptoms
The symptoms usually appear according to the location of the affected tissue. For example:
Pleural Mesothelioma
In such cases, cancer begins to develop in the tissue around the lungs. Check below some symptoms:
- Tiredness
- Unusual weight loss
- Lumps that appear under the chest skin
- Shortness of breath
- Painful cough
- Chest pain
Peritonea Mesothelioma
This mesothelioma type negatively affects the tissue in the abdomen (belly). Check some symptoms below:
- Nausea
- Abdominal swelling and pain
- Tiredness
- Unintended weight loss
There are other mesothelioma types, but they occur very rarely, and experts do not know as much is known about previous ones. For instance, pericardial mesothelioma (it affects tissue that surrounds the heart), mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis (negatively affects the tissue around the testes), and others.
If you experience the symptoms listed above or any others that cause concerns, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
Causes
Healthcare providers cannot always determine the exact cause of mesothelioma. They believe that exposure to asbestos causes the most mesotheliomas. However, not everyone who is exposed to this chemical develops cancer. That’s why it is not possible to tell what exactly causes this cancer type.
This cancer type begins to appear when DNA changes occur in the mesothelium. DNA contains multiple instructions that tell cells when to grow, multiply, and die. If DNA mutation happens, cells begin to get different instructions that make them grow and multiply abnormally. When cancerous cells become too much, they form a mass called a tumor that may invade healthy tissue and destroy it. If people with a large tumor do not get treatment, it may break and spread throughout the body (such as the brain, lymph nodes, and others). In such cases, it is called metastatic cancer.
Risk Factors
The biggest risk factor for this cancer type is prolonged exposure to asbestos. It is a natural mineral that resists heat. As a result, it is useful in many ways. For example, it is used in insulation, breaks, shingles, flooring, and other products.
However, removing or mining asbestos breaks up the mineral, making dust. When a person inhales dust, its fibers settle in the lungs or stomach. If it occurs for long periods, the risk of mesothelioma increases significantly.
Anyway, healthcare providers do not fully understand how asbestos fibers cause this cancer type. Thus, other factors also may contribute to mesothelioma. Check below other risk factors:
- If you are directly exposed to or live with a person who works with asbestos, it significantly increases the risk of developing mesothelioma.
- Family history of mesothelioma – If you have a blood relative with mesothelioma, your risk of developing it also increases.
- Cancer treatments – The risk of mesothelioma also may increase if you had radiation therapy to the chest.
What Are The Potential Complications of Mesothelioma?
People with this cancer type may also experience some complications. These include:
- Breathing problems
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain that often occurs due to pressure on the spinal cord and nerves
- Pleural effusion (fluid buildup in the chest)
Is it Possible to Prevent Mesothelioma?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent this cancer type, but the following tips may reduce your risk. Examples include:
Reduce your exposure to asbestos because in most cases, people with work around this mineral develop mesothelioma. For example:
- Asbestos miners
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Pipefitters
- Insulators
- Shipyard workers
- Demolition workers
- Break mechanics
- Selected military personnel
- Home remodelers
Follow Carefully Safety Rules
You should follow all safety rules in the workplace, including wearing protective gear, regularly changing work clothes, and washing thoroughly with soap and warm water on your hands and face before eating or going home. For additional measures to protect from asbestos, consult with your doctor.
In addition, if you live in an old home, do not try to remove asbestos because it may break and release fibers in the air. However, if you need to remove it, hire an expert.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of this cancer type usually starts with a physical examination to check for lumps and other mesothelioma symptoms. However, doctors may perform some tests to confirm the condition and exclude others that cause similar symptoms. These include:
- Imaging tests – Doctors usually perform an X-ray and a CT (computerized tomography) scan of the abdomen or chest.
- Biopsy – This test involves the removal of a small sample of the tissue and testing it in the laboratory. Biopsy is used to check for cancer cells.
Moreover, once mesothelioma is diagnosed, doctors may perform additional imaging tests to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer. It may help make the best treatment plan for you.
Treatment
Treatments for people with mesothelioma are usually different because they depend on multiple factors. For example your age, the location and extent of the cancer, existing health problems, and your preferences.
This is a deadly cancer that spreads very quickly. In most cases, it cannot be cured. However, sometimes, physicians find it at the point where it can be removed with surgery.
Surgery
This treatment option is used to remove mesothelioma in its early stages. In some cases, surgery is the only treatment needed to cure the cancer. Mostly, surgeons are not able to remove the cancer completely, but may help reduce the symptoms. Check below some surgery types:
- Surgery to reduce buildup of fluid – This procedure is used in people with pleural mesothelioma. It involves a tube that is inserted in the chest to drain excessive fluid.
- Surgery to remove tissue that surrounds the lungs – During this surgery, they may remove tissue lining the lungs and ribs. This procedure is called pleurectomy and it cannot cure this cancer type but can lessen the symptoms.
- Surgery to remove a lung – This surgery is recommended for people with pleural mesothelioma. It helps reduce the symptoms.
- Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma – This procedure is used to remove as much cancer as possible and doctors may recommend additional treatments after surgery.
Chemotherapy
This treatment option is used to kill cancer cells throughout the body. These medications are usually given to the patients intravenously (IV), but an oral form is also available. In some cases, chemotherapy may be recommended before surgery to shrink large tumors caused by mesothelioma.
Sometimes, chemotherapy medicines may be heated and inserted into the abdominal cavity. In such cases, the treatment is called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (also called HIPEC).
Radiation Therapy
This treatment involves powerful energy beams to destroy cancer cells. This energy usually comes from X-rays, protons, and other sources. It is usually recommended by doctors after surgery to kill cancer cells that may remain after tumor removal.
Immunotherapy
This cancer treatment is used to boost the immunity to fight against cancer cells. However, cancer cells produce certain chemicals that help them hide from the immune system. Therefore, immunotherapy helps the immune system fight off cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy
It involves medications that block certain chemicals in the cancer cells, leading to their death. Doctors usually prescribe this treatment for people with advanced cancer stages. Moreover, physicians can perform some cancer cell tests to see if targeted therapy will work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the survival rate for mesothelioma?
Generally, the 5-year survival rate is approximately 10%. However, some people have lived for many years. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
What is the primary cause of mesothelioma?
Experts believe that continuous exposure to asbestos increases significantly the risk of developing mesothelioma. This is a natural mineral used in the production of multiple products (such as construction materials).
What are the mesothelioma complications?
People with this cancer type may experience some complications, especially if they do not treat it. Examples include:
- Respiratory problems (such as pleural effusion, lung collapse, and others)
- Pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Hair loss
- Nerve damage
- Arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm)
- Weakened immune system
Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.
