Everything You Need to Know About Mesothelioma

By Your Health Magazine

Mesothelioma, a cancer that develops in the mesothelium, is rare, with 2803 cases having been reported in America in 2021. It begins as cell growth in the mesothelium, a thin tissue layer covering most internal organs, including the lungs, heart, testes, and abdomen. Mesothelioma is more common in older adults due to its long latency period (the time it takes for the condition to develop). Discussed below is everything you need to know about mesothelioma.

1. Types of mesothelioma

Mesothelioma types vary depending on where the tumor first grows. They include:

Pleural mesothelioma: It’s the most common, accounting for around 90% of all mesothelioma cases. The cancer begins in the lining that covers the lungs. Although pleural mesothelioma grows in the chest and affects the lung membrane, it’s not a lung cancer and isn’t treated the same way as lung cancer. People with pleural mesothelioma may experience breathlessness, lumps under the skin, weight loss, fatigue, and more
Peritoneal mesothelioma: It’s the second-most common mesothelioma and starts in the lining surrounding the abdomen. With peritoneal mesothelioma, a patient experience weight loss, stomach pain, swollen abdomen, and more
Pericardial mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma starts in the pericardium, the tissue around the heart. An irregular heartbeat, coughing, and chest pain are some of the symptoms of this form of mesothelioma
Testicular mesothelioma: It’s a cancer that starts in the membrane covering the testicle. An enlarged scrotum, with fluid sometimes, is among the symptoms patients experience

2. How people get mesothelioma

You may develop mesothelioma after being exposed to mesothelioma. The various asbestos exposures that can lead to mesothelioma include the following:

Occupational asbestos exposure: People mostly experience asbestos exposure at work. You might have worked with the mineral directly, including mining or handling raw asbestos. Those who have worked in facilities that manufactured or used asbestos products. Veterans and other occupations like construction workers have a higher long-term exposure risk
Environmental exposure: Those residing near asbestos factories or mines may inhale asbestos fibers in the air or ground
Secondary asbestos exposure: It happens when people unknowingly transport this mineral. For example, if you work with asbestos, its fibers may settle on your clothing. This means anyone that comes in contact with the clothing can ingest or inhale the fibers

3. Mesothelioma risk factors

Being exposed to asbestos comes with numerous health effects, including increasing the risk for mesothelioma. If you work or worked in industries like construction, plumbing, carpentry, and milling, you might have already been exposed to high asbestos levels. This increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. Other risk factors include:

A mesothelioma family history: If your parents, children, or siblings have mesothelioma, you might be at a higher risk of getting the disease
Radiation therapy to your chest: If you’ve had radiation therapy to the chest for other cancers, you’re more likely to get mesothelioma

You also risk developing mesothelioma if you live with people who work with asbestos or reside or work in establishments where materials containing asbestos have been distributed.

4. Common mesothelioma symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms vary based on the disease’s stage and the location of the tumor. The most common signs of mesothelioma include the following:

Loss of appetite
Unexplained weight loss
Pain
Excessive sweating
Fatigue
Weakness

Mesothelioma might not cause any symptoms until the disease progresses. The more advanced the disease is, the more likely cancer has grown to impact the surrounding organs. Since mesothelioma symptoms may be signs of other diseases, diagnosing the cancer isn’t easy. If you’ve been exposed to asbestos or have mesothelioma signs, an early diagnosis can help ensure a favorable outcome.

5. Mesothelioma diagnosis

A timely and precise mesothelioma diagnosis is key to facilitating the best treatment options, ensuring more effective treatment. Mesothelioma patients may undergo several tests to help healthcare providers arrive at a diagnosis. The tests used to diagnose mesothelioma include the following:

Biopsy: It’s the most effective way to diagnose and validate a mesothelioma diagnosis. Biopsy testing involves removing a tissue or fluid sample for evaluation. The test helps confirm the diagnosis, cells involved, stage, and type of mesothelioma
Blood and tissue tests: Blood tests are used to check a patient’s overall health and to identify the particular markers that indicate cancer. While blood testing alone doesn’t diagnose mesothelioma, it directs physicians toward a diagnosis. Cell examination can help verify a mesothelioma diagnosis
Pathology reports: They offer an in-depth study of the tissue samples doctors obtain through a biopsy procedure. Pathology reports determine the existence of mesothelioma cells and assist physicians in identifying the stage of the illness and cell type
Imaging tests: They include X-rays, PET scans, MRIs, and CT scans. These tests reveal the location of the tumors and their sizes and the body organs that are more likely to be affected

6. Mesothelioma staging

Mesothelioma staging helps healthcare providers discover how far the disease has spread to develop an effective treatment plan that enhances prognosis and overall quality of life. The various mesothelioma stages include the following:

Stage 1: At this level, the disease hasn’t spread beyond the mesothelial membrane of the affected part. Patients with stage 1 mesothelioma may suffer mild symptoms similar to asthma or other respiratory illnesses
Stage 2: Here, cancer cells have started spreading, and victims might experience pressure in the chest because of fluid buildup in the lungs’ lining
Stage 3: At this stage, the cancerous cells have gotten to surrounding parts like the abdomen and chest cavity. Symptoms become more noticeable and might start interfering with daily life
Stage 4: At this point, the disease has spread to distant parts of the body, including the liver, spine, brain, and others

7. Mesothelioma treatments

Mesothelioma treatments not only enhance survival rates but also help you achieve an improved quality of life. Treatment options for mesothelioma include the following:

Surgery: It helps remove visible tumors, reducing the body’s overall cancer burden
Radiation therapy: It involves directing high-energy X-rays at tumors to damage cancer cells and collapse tumors
Chemotherapy: This treatment option utilizes cancer-killing medications that can be applied to the abdomen or chest directly or delivered via the bloodstream
Immunotherapy: It involves giving drug infusions that can enable the immune system to identify and fight cancer cells

A mesothelioma doctor will consider your age, ability to deal with possible side effects, and overall health to determine the most suitable treatment plan.

Endnote

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that grows in the mesothelium. Familiarizing yourself with everything you need to know about mesothelioma can equip you with the knowledge you need to care for a loved one with this cancer.