What is Mesothelioma?
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the protective linings that cover various organs. This type of cancer most commonly affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). In rare cases, this tumor can grow in the linings of the heart (pericardium) or testes (tunica vaginalis).
Only around 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. The most common type of this condition is pleural, accounting for 80% of all cases. Peritoneal type accounts for 10% of all cases, whereas pericardial and testicular types make up a very small percentage of cases.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that resists exposure to chemicals, fire, sound, and water. It is composed of millions of fibers, which bind together to create a light yet virtually indestructible material. When asbestos products are disturbed, the fibers may be inhaled or ingested. Inside the body, the asbestos fibers may become lodged into the tissue linings of various organs. Once the fibers become stuck, they damage healthy tissue. In some cases, this tissue damage causes cancerous tumors to form.
It can take 20-50 years of irritation from asbestos fibers before the symptoms become noticeable. By this point, the cancer may have spread throughout the body. Most cases are not diagnosed until after the cancer has spread to other areas in the body, making it more difficult to treat. However, if mesothelioma is caught early on, patients may be able to live for several years after their diagnosis.
From the 1930s to the early 1980s, asbestos was widely used in several industries and the military. Therefore, many mesothelioma patients are military veterans or blue-collar workers. Loved ones of those exposed to asbestos were also at-risk of developing this cancer through secondhand exposure.
Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms and signs depend on the cancer’s specific type and the progression level. Although there are some similarities — such as chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath — each type of mesothelioma is associated with a specific list of symptoms to watch for and discuss with a doctor.
Pleural
- Anemia
- Blood clots
- Chest pain
- Chronic fatigue
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Excessive sweating
- Fever
- Fluid buildup (pleural effusions)
- Loss of appetite
- Lumps under the skin of the chest
- Muscle atrophy
- Noticeable weight loss
- Persistent dry cough and coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Shortness of breath
Peritoneal
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating (distention) of the stomach
- Changes in bowel habits (bowel obstruction)
- Diarrhea and/or constipation
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)
- Malnutrition and loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
Pericardial
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Fluid buildup in the heart
- Palpitations
- Irregular heartbeats and heart murmurs (arrhythmias)
- Night sweats
- Tightness in the chest
- Unexplained weight loss
Testicular
- Discomfort or pain around the scrotum
- Fluid buildup and swelling of the scrotum (hydrocele)
- Masses on the testicles or in the testicular lining
The sooner these symptoms are noticed and evaluated by a doctor, the better chance patients have of receiving life-extending treatment options.
Mesothelioma Diagnostic Tests
Doctors rely on a variety of tests to help them diagnose mesothelioma, including blood tests, imaging tests, and fluid and tissue tests commonly referred to as biopsies.
Blood Tests
While on their own blood tests do not verify whether a patient has mesothelioma, they provide doctors with accurate data about patients’ blood counts, blood electrolytes, and blood sugar levels. These tests also reveal whether a patient has higher-than-normal protein levels in their blood, which can indicate the presence of cancer or other serious illness.
Imaging Tests
There are several types of imaging tests that doctors may require while working with cancer patients. These tests include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans, which can help doctors examine what is happening inside the body without having to perform invasive or exploratory surgery. Imaging tests can help doctors identify the location of the cancer and determine whether it has spread to other organs.
Biopsy
A biopsy is the only way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. During this procedure, doctors remove either fluid from the cancerous areas or tissue directly from a tumor and send the sample to a lab. In the lab, pathologists will examine the fluid or tissue under a microscope to determine whether the patient has mesothelioma.
Prognosis
Following a confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis, doctors talk to their patients about their mesothelioma prognosis, which includes information about the expected progression and outcome of their illness. A mesothelioma prognosis depends on the cancer’s cell type, location, and stage, along with the patient’s general health.
With proper medical treatment, the average mesothelioma prognosis is 12-21 months. However, as treatment options advance and expand, some mesothelioma patients are able to live for several more years following their diagnosis. Additionally, earlier detection generally results in more favorable outcomes.
Treatment Options
The two categories for malignant mesothelioma treatment include curative and palliative care. Curative treatments are given to help extend a patient’s lifespan, whereas palliative treatments manage symptoms and reduce discomfort. Doctors generally use the same mesothelioma treatments to achieve curative or palliative goals.
The three most common types of mesothelioma treatment are chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Mesothelioma specialists will often prescribe multimodal therapy, which is a combination of multiple types of mesothelioma treatment. Customized treatment plans are designed to help patients live as long as possible.
Researchers continue to study new ways to treat mesothelioma through clinical trials, including immunotherapy, gene therapy, and target therapy.
The above article has been contributed by MESOTHELIOMA HOPE
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