Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma

Treatment

Is There a Cure for Mesothelioma?

There is no single tried and true cure for mesothelioma and the typical life expectancy for mesothelioma victims is under 5 years.

However, there are people whose mesothelioma is in remission and have lived for more than 10 years after their diagnosis.

Mesothelioma treatment is significantly more successful than it has been in the past. Mesothelioma specialists regularly invent and test new treatment options, working towards a future cure for the disease.

What Treatment Options Are Available?

What Is the Trimodal Approach to Treatment?

The trimodal approach is currently considered the most effective mesothelioma treatment for people with pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma.

The extent of the cancer and overall health of the person allows the doctor to determine candidacy for these various treatments (i.e., if specific treatments would be helpful and reasonably safe to administer).

The trimodal approach combines 3 types of treatment:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation

First, any visible cancer cells are removed from the body using surgery.

Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma may then receive heated chemotherapy — a post-surgical procedure in which the abdomen is filled with a chemotherapy solution for several hours to bathe the organs, attempting to kill any remaining microscopic cancer cells.

Afterward, patients receive traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

What Is the Survival Rate After Treatment?

Mesothelioma survival rates vary depending on the mesothelioma type, stage, and treatment strategy. It’s best to discuss survival rates for your specific circumstances with an experienced mesothelioma specialist.

Should I Participate in a Clinical Trial?

Clinical trials give patients the opportunity to test new treatments before they are FDA approved and are vital for cancer research. For many patients, it’s their last hope. However, every clinical trial has its objectives, and many aren’t cure-oriented.

Many mesothelioma trials focus on scientific objectives that will help researchers better understand the disease, someday leading to a cure, but not necessarily for the patients who are participating.

Some patients participating in trials find it very rewarding that their participation could help others in the future.

Therefore, participating in a clinical trial is a highly personal decision. If you are considering clinical trials, talk to your doctor about your eligibility and the pros and the cons, to see if it’s the right decision for your circumstance.

Asbestos

How Does Asbestos Get Into the Body?

Microscopic asbestos fibers get into the body when they’re inhaled or ingested.

Disturbed asbestos fibers become airborne and can be consumed through a person’s natural breathing process. Once inhaled, hard asbestos fibers can then become lodged in the body’s soft lining.

What Are the Different Types of Asbestos?

There are two types of asbestos: serpentine and amphibole.

Although both forms of asbestos can result in mesothelioma, amphibole is considered the more deadly type due to the spear-like shape of its fibers. These tiny slivers become embedded in the body much easier than serpentine fibers, which are curly.

If Asbestos is so Dangerous, Why Was it Commonly Used?

Before the 1970s, the dangers of asbestos were largely unknown by the public.

Instead, asbestos was seen as an incredible material because it was lightweight, fireproof, waterproof, and inexpensive. All of these qualities made it highly desirable in a wide range of industries.

Will the Asbestos in My House Give Me Mesothelioma?

No, not unless it is disturbed. Resting asbestos does not pose a health risk to nearby individuals. People are only at risk of asbestos exposure when asbestos is disturbed and becomes airborne.

Isn’t Asbestos Banned in the United States?

No. Many countries have banned asbestos, including Australia, Denmark, and Ireland, but the United States is not one of them.

Asbestos is regulated, but it isn’t outright banned, and asbestos mining and manufacturing still occurs in the United States. Many organizations are actively working towards a full ban on asbestos production.

At-Risk Occupations

What Occupations Have the Highest Mesothelioma Risk?

Many trades, construction and manufacturing jobs put workers at risk of developing mesothelioma later in life. Scientists have linked the amount of asbestos exposure a person has received to their chances of developing mesothelioma.

The higher the asbestos exposure, the higher the likelihood of being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

How Do I Know if I Was Exposed to Asbestos at Work?

If you worked in one of the at-risk occupations before the 1980s, there’s a high chance you were exposed to asbestos in your day-to-day work. However, some occupations put workers at a much higher risk than others.

Explore at-risk occupations to find out whether your job likely exposed you to asbestos.