Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer almost always associated with a previous history of asbestos exposure. Malignant cells are found in the connective tissues lining the chest (pleural mesothelioma), abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma), and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
Exposure:
Almost all cases of mesothelioma can be traced to asbestos exposure. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become trapped in the lungs and that can lead to scarring. Over time this can lead to mesothelioma with a latency period of 20 - 40 years for the disease to show up. It is important to understand that asbestos fibers are found in air samples around the world and that low level exposure is unlikely to lead to cancer.
Symptoms:
The following symptoms are common in mesothelioma patients but are not a sure indicator the disease is present. These are listed purely for educational purposes and this guide is not to be taken as medical advice. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, please consult a doctor. It is also important to understand that some patients are asymptomatic. If you were exposed to asbestos you should consider getting regular checkups.
Symptoms can include:
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Persistent cough
Fever
Nausea
Night sweats
Weight loss
Diagnosis:
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed by a number of technologies including: X-ray, CT scan, MRI and Positron Emission Tomography. Recently in vitro tests to diagnose mesothelioma have been created which could lead to earlier diagnosis because they rely on SMRP (soluble mesothelin-related protein) levels to determine if it is present.
Diagnosis can be confirmed using minimally invasive surgical methods including thoracoscopy/video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, biopsy and peritoneoscopy.
Treatment:
Treatment options are often palliative because in many cases the disease is diagnosed in advanced stages. Traditional therapies for mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy and more recently combinations of each. Surgery is often the most drastic option including pneumonectomy and pleurectomy/decortication. Chemotherapy treatments alone often fail to prolong patient survival but can be a potent tool when combined with other treatment methods.
Treatment options and survival rates vary by patient but some specialists report five-year survival rates approaching 40 percent.
More information:
National Cancer Institute
Mesothelioma Web
Medline
Exposure:
Almost all cases of mesothelioma can be traced to asbestos exposure. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become trapped in the lungs and that can lead to scarring. Over time this can lead to mesothelioma with a latency period of 20 - 40 years for the disease to show up. It is important to understand that asbestos fibers are found in air samples around the world and that low level exposure is unlikely to lead to cancer.
Symptoms:
The following symptoms are common in mesothelioma patients but are not a sure indicator the disease is present. These are listed purely for educational purposes and this guide is not to be taken as medical advice. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, please consult a doctor. It is also important to understand that some patients are asymptomatic. If you were exposed to asbestos you should consider getting regular checkups.
Symptoms can include:
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Persistent cough
Fever
Nausea
Night sweats
Weight loss
Diagnosis:
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed by a number of technologies including: X-ray, CT scan, MRI and Positron Emission Tomography. Recently in vitro tests to diagnose mesothelioma have been created which could lead to earlier diagnosis because they rely on SMRP (soluble mesothelin-related protein) levels to determine if it is present.
Diagnosis can be confirmed using minimally invasive surgical methods including thoracoscopy/video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, biopsy and peritoneoscopy.
Treatment:
Treatment options are often palliative because in many cases the disease is diagnosed in advanced stages. Traditional therapies for mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy and more recently combinations of each. Surgery is often the most drastic option including pneumonectomy and pleurectomy/decortication. Chemotherapy treatments alone often fail to prolong patient survival but can be a potent tool when combined with other treatment methods.
Treatment options and survival rates vary by patient but some specialists report five-year survival rates approaching 40 percent.
More information:
National Cancer Institute
Mesothelioma Web
Medline
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