Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium membrane, and is caused by earlier exposure to asbestos particles. Typically, mesothelioma will begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
2. How common is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma affects men more so than women and the risk increases with age, but mesothelioma can occur in either sex and at any age.
3. What are the causes of mesothelioma?
Exposure to certain chemicals and radiation has also been linked to mesothelioma, and a small number of mesotheliomas have been linked to a type of radiation called thorium dioxide(thorotast). There is no evidence linking mesotheliomas with cigarette smoking
The diagnosis of mesothelioma will require a review of the patient's medical history, including past history of asbestos exposure.
5. Can mesothelioma be treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma varies depending on the location of the cancer, to what extent the mesothelioma has developed, and the patient's age and general condition. The options for mesothelioma treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
6. Is there a cure for mesothelioma?
The only treatment offering any hope of a cure for mesothelioma is an operation to remove the tumour surgically.
7. Are there new treatments available for mesothelioma?
The National Cancer Institute is currently sponsoring clinical trials in an effort to discover new treatments for mesothelioma along with improvement of the way current mesothelioma treatments are implemented. Before any new mesothelioma treatment can be recommended for general use, extensive clinical trials must be carried out to demonstrate that the mesothelioma treatment is safe for patients and will prove effective against the disease.
The life expectancy for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma will vary depending on the type of cancer, where the tumor is, how far it has spread and the age and general health of the patient.
9. What is asbestosis?
Asbestosis is a non-cancerous chronic and potentially lethal inflammatory disease affecting the lungs, and is caused by exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos and mesothelioma are infamously related. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. The key to mesothelioma, as is apparent here, is exposure to asbestos.The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. There can be other causes of mesothelioma too.
Before we proceed further, let us define mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma definition: Mesothelioma is defined as is an uncommon form of cancer, usually associated with previous exposure to asbestos. Malignant mesothelioma cells proliferate at the affected area, and are usually very hard to remove totally.
Mesothelioma came to be widely known about only from about the 60s, when the symptoms started manifesting, and mesothelioma cases were diagnosed. Even today, more than 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the USA. There are mesothelioma support groups to help mesothelioma victims and their relatives cope with life in the aftermath of the disease.
Mesothelioma is considered extremely lethal for a number of reasons:
o Mesothelioma diagnosis is often very late. Types of Mesothelioma
Primarily, mesothelioma occurs in three areas, based on which mesothelioma is categorized into:
o Pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the pleura, the outer lining protecting the chest cavity as well as the lungs)
o Pericardial mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the pericardium, the sac enclosing the heart)
o Peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the peritoneum, the lining protecting the abdominal cavity)
Based on the types of cells seen in a mesothelioma patient, mesothelioma can again be categorized into 3 types:
o Epithelioid mesothelioma (approximately 50 to 70 percent of all mesothelial cells)
o Sarcomatoid mesothelioma (least common mesothelioma cell type, approximately 10 to 15 percent)
o Biphasic mesothelioma
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the kind of mesothelioma a patient may have. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms differ from those of pleural mesothelioma.Mesothelioma symptoms usually map to those of other, lesser serious ailments.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is a review of the patient's medical history. If the patient hasn't had any illnesses displaying the symptoms related to mesothelioma, and has had exposure to asbestos, then there can be suspicion of mesothelioma.
Biopsy in the case of mesothelioma can be:
o Thoracoscopy (done by taking tissue samples from inside the chest region, using a thoracoscope)
o Peritoneoscopy (done by taking tissue samples from the abdominal region, using a peritoneoscope)
Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma treatments vary depending on the type of mesothelioma, as also the stage at which it has been detected. The three most commonly used treatment forms against mesothelioma are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Mesothelioma Prognosis
Stage of Mesothelioma Detection Chances of Survival (No. of Years) Percentage of Patients
Mid to advanced stages 3 years 10%
5 years 5%
Early stages 2 years 50%
5 years 20%
This is just general data on mesothelioma prognosis.
Most Asked Q & A
Summary by Trevor Taylor
1. What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium membrane, and is caused by earlier exposure to asbestos particles. Typically, mesothelioma will begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
2. How common is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma affects men more so than women and the risk increases with age, but mesothelioma can occur in either sex and at any age.
3. What are the causes of mesothelioma?
Exposure to certain chemicals and radiation has also been linked to mesothelioma, and a small number of mesotheliomas have been linked to a type of radiation called thorium dioxide(thorotast). There is no evidence linking mesotheliomas with cigarette smoking
4. How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma will require a review of the patient's medical history, including past history of asbestos exposure.
5. Can mesothelioma be treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma varies depending on the location of the cancer, to what extent the mesothelioma has developed, and the patient's age and general condition. The options for mesothelioma treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
6. Is there a cure for mesothelioma?
The only treatment offering any hope of a cure for mesothelioma is an operation to remove the tumour surgically.
7. Are there new treatments available for mesothelioma?
The National Cancer Institute is currently sponsoring clinical trials in an effort to discover new treatments for mesothelioma along with improvement of the way current mesothelioma treatments are implemented. Before any new mesothelioma treatment can be recommended for general use, extensive clinical trials must be carried out to demonstrate that the mesothelioma treatment is safe for patients and will prove effective against the disease.
8. What is the life expectancy for those diagnosed with mesothelioma?
The life expectancy for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma will vary depending on the type of cancer, where the tumor is, how far it has spread and the age and general health of the patient.
9. what is asbestosis?
Asbestosis is a non-cancerous chronic and potentially lethal inflammatory disease affecting the lungs, and is caused by exposure to asbestos.
