Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon cancerous
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Long-term exposure to asbestos — a fire-resistant material — is the biggest risk factor. Asbestos was once commonly found in insulation, ceiling and roofing vinyls, cement, and automotive brake materials. Although many asbestos workers smoked, experts do not believe smoking itself is a cause of this condition.
Malignant mesothelioma affects men more often than women. The average age at diagnosis is 60. Most appear to develop the condition about 30 some years after being in contact with the asbestos.
Symptoms may not appear until 20 – 50 years or longer after exposure to asbestos, and may include:
Abdominal bloating Abdominal pain Chest painespecially when taking a deep breath Cough Fatigue Shortness of breath Weight loss
Signs and tests
- Chest CT
Cytology of pleural fluid Open lung biopsy Pleural biopsy
Mesotheliomas are often hard to diagnose under the microscope. It can be hard to distinguish between this disease and similar conditions and tumors.
Malignant mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat.
There is usually no cure, unless the disease is found extremely early and the tumor can be completely removed with surgery. However, most of the time at diagnosis, the disease is too advanced for surgery. Chemotherapy or radiation may be used to reduce symptoms. Combining certain chemotherapy drugs may help decrease symptoms, but it will not cure the cancer.
Untreated, the average malignant mesothelioma patient survives 9 months.
Consider participating in a clinical trial (test of new treatments), which may give you more treatment options.
Pain relief, oxygen, and other supportive treatments may also help relieve symptoms.
You can ease the
Cancer – support group
Lung disease – support group
The average survival time varies from 4 – 18 months. However, your outlook depends on:
The stage of the tumor
Your age and general health
Whether surgery is an option
Your response to treatment
The tumor can quickly spread to other organs.
Calling your health care provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of malignant mesothelioma.
Avoid exposure to asbestos.