Mesothelioma

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Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs, but can also affect the heart, abdomen and other organs. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around .3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. The average age at diagnosis is 62 years of age, occurs about four times more frequently in men than in women and is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.

The life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is generally reported as less than one year following diagnosis, however, a patient's prognosis can be positively affected by numerous factors including how early the cancer is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.

In an effort to help patients understand mesothelioma, The Mesothelioma Center offers a complimentary packet that contains treatment information tailored to your specific diagnosis. The packet also covers the nation's top mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers, as well as financial assistance options to help cover medical costs. To receive your packet in the mail, please enter your information below.

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Mesothelioma Types

The type of mesothelioma you are diagnosed with effects what treatment you will receive, as well as your prognosis. Click on the type you have been diagnosed with to learn more about your type in detail.

Pleural Mesothelioma Developing in the lining of the lungs, pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the cancer. Approximately 75 percent of cases involve the pleura.
Learn More About Pleural Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Developing in the lining of the abdominal cavity, peritoneal mesothelioma represents about 10 to 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases.
Learn More About Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma Representing about 1 percent of mesothelioma cases, pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare form of the cancer that develops in the lining of the heart.
Learn More About Pericardial Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Causes

Exposure to asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma cancer. Exposure can occur by either inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers, which typically become airborne after asbestos-containing products have been damaged. When these microscopic fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lining of the lungs and cause pleural mesothelioma. When ingested, the fibers can become lodged in the lining of the abdomen and lead to peritoneal mesothelioma.

Occupational exposure to asbestos presents the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma later in life since workers were exposed to asbestos through the products they used regularly. Secondary exposure to asbestos - which occurs when someone occupationally exposed to asbestos brings home the toxic fibers on their clothing, skin and hair - can also lead to mesothelioma. Environmental exposure to asbestos is another cause of mesothelioma cancer, and one of the most prominent examples is the city-wide exposure that has taken place in Libby, Montana.
Learn More About Mesothelioma Causes

Common Mesothelioma Symptoms

If you have not been diagnosed with mesothelioma but may be exhibiting symptoms associated with the cancer, you may want to undergo diagnostic procedures and imaging scans to check for any malignant developments.

Pleural Mesothelioma SymptomsPeritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Reduced chest expansion
• Dry cough or wheezing
• Pleural effusions
• Barely audible or harsh breathing sounds
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal enlargement and tenderness
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Ascites (fluid buildup in the peritoneal cavity)

Complete List of Mesothelioma Symptoms

How is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

Due to the similarity of symptoms, diagnosing mesothelioma can be difficult for doctors not experienced in detecting the condition. For information on tools used to diagnose mesothelioma, see the following imaging scans:

CT Scans MRI PET Scans X-Rays

Mesothelioma Biopsies

In addition to imaging scans, doctors may also request a surgical biopsy, a procedure where a small piece of tissue is removed and analyzed to determine if mesothelioma is present. While biopsies can be risky for some patients, they are widely considered by most doctors to be the most accurate way to determine if a patient has mesothelioma.
Learn How Biopsies Are Used in Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Treating Mesothelioma

Treatment options will vary depending on a number of factors, including which type of mesothelioma you are diagnosed with, the stage of your cancer, your age and overall physical health. Three of the most commonly used treatments for mesothelioma include surgery,chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Having an experienced mesothelioma doctor can make all the difference in your treatment and may improve your prognosis.

For assistance finding a doctor near you with experience treating mesothelioma,
Visit Our Doctor Match Program

Emerging Treatment Options

One of the more successful and emergent treatment options is known as multimodal therapy, which involves a combination of two or more treatments. This method of treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or any other alternative treatment option. Up-and-coming clinical trials often test various combinations of multimodal treatment in an effort to improve mesothelioma life expectancy.

Multimodal Therapy Clinical Trials

Improve Your Life Expectancy

Improve your prognosis by receiving treatment as soon as possible. Our Doctor Match Program will connect you with a patient advocate who will find a specialist related to your diagnosis near you.

Sources:

1. Castleman, B. Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects. Aspen Publishers: New York. 2005.
2. Dodson, R. and Hammar, S. Asbestos: Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, and Health Effects. Taylor & Francis: Boca Raton. 2006.
3. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/MalignantMesothelioma/DetailedGuide/malignant-mesothelioma-diagnosed
4. http://www.marf.org/Resources/UnderstandingMeso/MesoDetails.html
5. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000116.htm
6. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000115.htm
7. http://clinicaltrials.gov/

Mesothelioma News

• Mesothelioma Center Week In Review: A Look To the Future, A Glance At the Past for Mesothelioma
  01/13/2012 - It was a week to remember the past, but also a week to look toward the future at the Mesothelioma Center and Asbestos.com. While the Mesothelioma A..
• ADAO Will Honor Mesothelioma Victim Steve McQueen at 8th Annual Convention
  01/12/2012 - Actor Steve McQueen, one of several well-known Americans who have died from mesothelioma, will be honored posthumously by the Asbestos Disease Awarene..
• Asbestos Week in Review: Schools, Bankruptcy, Verdicts, Aggressive Surgeries and Presidential Campaigns
  01/06/2012 - Renovations, and even demolitions, of schools across America are being slowed or stopped by the high cost of the necessary asbestos abatement, a famil..