The Online Asbestos, Asbestos Cancer, & Mesothelioma Authority
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is refers to cancer of the mesothelium, which is the tissue that lines the lungs, stomach, heart and other organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining of the lungs (pleura) or lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The cancerous cells can spread (metastasize) from their original site to nearby tissues and organs (1, 2). The disease is most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos fibers.
About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age. About 70 to 80 percent of all cases of mesothelioma involve a history of asbestos exposure at work, though mesothelioma has been reported in cases involving individuals with no known prior exposure (1). The disease has an extended latency period, and symptoms may not appear appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos (2).
Mesothelioma usually results in the build-up of fluid in lining that is affected. In pleural mesothelioma, this build-up in the pleura may induce shortness of breath and pain in the chest due, which are common initial symptoms of the disease. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a build-up of fluid in the abdomen (1).
Because the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of a variety of other conditions, diagnosis can be difficult. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen, as well as lung function tests. CT scan or an MRI may also aid in diagnosis. A biopsy of the suspected tissue is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the location of the cancer, a bioposy may be done via a thoracoscopy or peritoneoscopy, or it may require more invasive diagnostic surgery (1).
If mesothelioma is confirmed, it is important to stage the disease, which involves precisely determining the extent of the spreading. In general terms, if it is contained to the lining surface where it originated, it is considered localized. If it has spread beyond the lining's surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, or abdominal organs, it is considered advanced (1, 3).
Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, or a combination of these (1).
- "Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers." From the National Cancer Institute's website. Available: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/mesothelioma (Accessed August 14, 2007).
- "Mesothelioma." From MedlinePlus, a website by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Available: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mesothelioma.html (Accessed August 14, 2007).
- "The stages of mesothelioma." From Cancer Research UK's website. Available: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=446 (Accessed August 14, 2007).