Mesothelioma, Its Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States 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.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

The early symptoms of mesothelioma are often ignored, because they may be caused by a variety of ailments. These symptoms include:

pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest

shortness of breath

difficulty swallowing

cough

fever

fatigue

abdominal pain, weight loss, and nausea and vomiting (symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma)

Causes of Mesothelioma -

The primary risk factor for developing mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. In the past, asbestos was used as a very effective type of insulation. The use of this material, however, has been declining since the link between asbestos and mesothelioma has become known. It is thought that when the fibers of asbestos are inhaled, some of them reach the ends of the small airways and penetrate into the pleural lining. There the fibers may directly harm mesothelial cells and eventually cause mesothelioma. If the fibers are swallowed, they can reach the abdominal cavity, where they can contribute to the formation of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Exposure to certain types of radiation as well as to a chemical related to asbestos known as zeolite has also been related to incidences of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Treatment -

Treatment for mesothelioma depends 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. Sometimes, these treatments are combined. Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

Mesothelioma FAQ

Aside from patients and families, there are many of us who search for mesothelioma information and have questions we would like answered. Here are 10 of the most often asked questions with answers for those seeking mesothelioma information.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that completely covers and protects each of the internal organs of the body. This membrane is made up of two layers of cells, one layer surrounds the organ while the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces lubricating fluid which is released between these layers, allowing the moving organs such as the heart and lungs to glide easily against adjacent surfaces.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium membrane, and is caused by earlier exposure to asbestos particles. When mesothelioma strikes, cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control, and malignant cells develop in the mesothelium which can metastasize from their original site to invade and damage nearby tissues and organs within the body. Typically, mesothelioma will begin in the pleura or peritoneum.. the abdominal cavity or lungs.

How common is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer, even though reported incidence figures show a steady increase over the past 20 years or so. Each year approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States alone. Mesothelioma affects men more so than women and the risk increases with age, but mesothelioma can occur in either sex and at any age.

What are the causes of mesothelioma?

At least 90% of mesotheliomas can be linked to exposure to asbestos, although usually the exposure will have taken place many years before the cancer becomes apparent. It is known that even very low levels of exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of mesothelioma, so it is possible that some patients may not have had any known contact with asbestos but may still have breathed in asbestos fibres without realizing it. 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). This was used in some x-rays up until the 1950's. There is no evidence linking mesotheliomas with cigarette smoking

How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

The symptoms of mesothelioma are often difficult to diagnose being very similar to the symptoms displayed in other conditions including asbestosis. The diagnosis of mesothelioma will require a review of the patient's medical history, including past history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination will be performed and x-rays of the chest and abdomen obtained. A CT scan or MRI may also prove useful in the diagnosis of mesothelioma.

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.

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. Unfortunately because mesothelioma is so difficult to diagnose, it is often too far advanced for surgery to be carried out safely.

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. Participation in these clinical trials can be an important treatment option for many patients suffering from the effects of mesothelioma.

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. Studies show average survival periods of between 8 and 14 months but it is not uncommon for patients to live for a few years following diagnosis of the condition.

So what is asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a non-cancerous chronic and potentially lethal inflammatory disease affecting the lungs, and is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis can cause permanent lung damage, increased risk of dangerous lung infections, and heart failure.

So those are the most often asked questions by those seeking mesothelioma information, and it is hoped the above answers have enlightened you.

Stages of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a terrible disease that has a huge latency period. To explain in more detail, latency period refers to the time duration between the exposure to the causative agent and the onset of the disease. The causative agent in the case of this disease is asbestos. The manifestation of indications of this disease is much after exposure to asbestos. Sometimes, this may be even after 20-50 years.

Another notorious characteristic of this disease is that it has symptoms that are very similar to other benign diseases. Many times pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer) is confused with pneumonia and this leads to dire consequences. What happens is that the patient is in the last stages before they even realize they have such a killer disease. Therefore, little can be done to help them the last stages of cancer.

Certain treatments have been devised for mesothelioma. However, these only help to mitigate the painful symptoms. Normally, the spread of the disease cannot be checked. There is no known cure for this disease. The choice of treatment for a mesothelioma patient is based on the stage of mesothelioma that he or she is in.

Stages of Mesothelioma

Butman System

The Butman system is used to define the Mesothelioma staging system. The entire basis of this system is the extent to which the tumor has spread. The various levels of mesothelioma based on this system are as follows:

Stage I: At this stage, the presence of mesothelioma is in the right side or the left side of the pleura (lungs). It may also be in the pericardium or diaphragm. Diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest and the abdomen. In this stage, mesothelioma is only on one side (left or right) of the pleura.

Stage II: In this degree of mesothelioma, the disease spreads to the other side of pleura or to the esophagus or heart or chest wall or even the lymph nodes.

Stage III: In this phase, the disease is in a serious assaulting phase. It spreads from the diaphragm into the peritoneum. Peritoneum refers to the abdominal cavity lining. While in the previous stage, the lymph modes of the chest may be involved. This stage may involve the lymph nodes beyond the chest too.

Stage IV: This is the final terrible stage of mesothelioma wherein the disease spreads to the other organs through the bloodstream.

TNM staging System

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) has developed another new staging system. This TNM staging system is very similar to that used for other types of cancers. In this system T stands for tumor

N stands for the assault on lymph nodes and M stands for metasis.

The staging system is based on the following: § the size of the tumor and the extent to which it has spread to nearby organs § the extent of spread to lymph nodes § the extent of spread to distant organs.

The various degrees of mesothelioma as per the TNM staging system are as follows:

Stage I: The mesothelioma may be in the right or the left pleura. It may also have assaulted the pericardium or the diaphragm on the same side. However, it would not have spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage II: The disease may have spread to the lungs, diaphragm, lymph nodes or pericardium on the same side.

Stage III: In this phase, the mesothelioma may have spread into the muscles of the chest wall, ribs, esophagus, heart and other organs on the same side. It may also have spread further into the lymph nodes on the same side.

Stage IV: In this stage, mesothelioma affects the lymph modes in the chest on the same side or may start spreading to the lungs or pleura on the other side. Also, if mesothelioma is found in the distant organs or if it spreads to organs other than the abdomen and chest, (through the blood stream), it is the fourth stage.

Though the TNM system is more clear and comprehensive, still the Butchart system is popularly used to describe the stages of mesothelioma. Whatever the staging system used, it is important to understand that mesothelioma stage depiction is important for deciding the type of treatment to be used on a patient.

How are the stages of mesothelioma determined?

CAT scans, MRI testing and other tests like x-rays help to determine the stage of mesothelioma in the patient. After this, the doctor informs the patient and his or her family about the level and type of treatment that is required. Mesothelioma has no known cure. So, the doctor can only offer to reduce the symptoms, to mitigate the pain and provide psychological support.

What are the treatments offered to mesothelioma patients?

Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the options available for treating a mesothelioma patient. Apart from these traditional treatments, various new ones keep coming up every once in a while. However many are under study and need testing. To avail of them, a patient can undergo a medical trial. In this way, he will benefit the medical research in mesothelioma as well as avail of the new medicine or method of treatment. The health of the patient and the age of the patient will also be considered when deciding the level and type of treatment offered for a patient. While undergoing treatment for mesothelioma cancer, the patient needs not only physical strength but also emotional strength. The patient should be strong at heart to face whatever happens next.

Mesothelioma is a different kind of cancer

 Mesothelioma is a type of cancer affecting the cells of mesothelial lining in the chest and abdomen. Mesothelioma is rare, though it appears to be on the rise. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States alone. Symptoms for both types of mesothelioma are not specific only to this disease, and often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for a significant amount of time. Difficulty breathing, abdominal and chest pain, and fever can all be attributed to other causes, so this cancer has time to advance fairly fair before diagnosis usually occurs. Due to the difficulty in diagnosis of mesothelioma, survival time after diagnosis is estimated at about a year.

There are two main types of mesothelioma. The first type, pleural mesothelioma, spreads within the chest cavity, and sometimes involves the lungs. This type or cancer can metastasize into any of the body's organs, including the brain.

Metastasis occurs more often than previously thought, and signals the disease's progression. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include persistent pain in the chest and severe difficulty breathing caused
by pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid in the pleural lining Cough, weight loss, and fever are also common symptoms. Survival time for this type of mesothelioma is better than that of peritoneal mesothelioma. The median survival time is 17 months, with ten percent of patients living for three years after diagnosis.

The second type of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma. This cancer invades the abdominal cavity, the liver, spleen, and sometimes the bowel. Predominant symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include persistent pain the region as well as a swollen abdomen, both due to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and affected organs. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and swelling of feet, fever, and difficulty moving the bowels. The prognosis for peritoneal mesothelioma is worse than that of pleural mesothelioma, with a median survival time of only ten months past diagnosis.

Mesothelioma takes two rarer forms. Benign mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelioma of the peritoneum. The peritoneum is the lining of the major organs in the chest and abdomen. It is difficult to diagnose, and appears more frequently in young women. Mesothelioma of the pericardium is a very rare cardiac cancer. Mesothelioma can also occur in the ovaries and scrotum. The prognosis for these unusual kinds of mesothelioma, with the exception of benign mesothelioma, is very poor.

The progression of mesothelioma is broken down to four stages. These stages provide a baseline to predict how far along the cancer has spread. Staging is based on x-rays, CT scans, and MRI imaging. Treatment decisions and prognosis depend upon the stage of the mesothelioma, as well as the kind if mesothelioma. In the first stage, mesothelioma is present in the pleura, lung, pericardium, or diaphragm, and is localized to one side of the body. Mesothelioma invades the chest wall or the esophagus during the second stage. The second stage may also see cancer in the heart, both sides of the pleura, or the lymph nodes in the chest. The third stage involves penetration through the diaphragm and into the peritoneum, and sees cancer spread to more distant lymph nodes. The fourth and final stage occurs when tests provide evidence of metastases in distant organs. Within the fourth stage, the mesothelioma spreads through the bloodstream to these new sights.

Mesothelioma is most often caused by exposure to Asbestos. Asbestos was frequently used for insulation in homes or businesses. Schools, factories, and military buildings have also been found to contain asbestos. Radiation from thorium dioxide may also cause mesothelioma. This material was once used for x-rays, though was not widely used for long. Zeolite, a silicate material related to asbestos, may also cause mesothelioma. Cases of Zeolite-induced mesothelioma centralize in the Anatoli region of Turkey.

Fact About Mesothelioma

Today  there is a lot of discussion all over the world, both offline and over the Internet, about mesothelioma. In the USA, there are mesothelioma  campaign groups in almost every city in the USA. Besides discussion forums, mesothelioma legal cells, mesothelioma forums, mesothelioma awareness groups etc., today mesothelioma research is growing high by the minute. The USA government form a scholarship scheme called Mesothelioma Memorial Scholarship that is offered every quarter. This scholarship is given in remembrance and honor of those that have been touched by mesothelioma. Billions of dollars have been spent in trying to fight this dreaded disease and find a cure.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a disease(cancer) that affect humans as a result of having a contact with the asbestos substance.Asbestos and mesothelioma are infamously related. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. It is a rare form of cancer, and affects only those people who have had a history of exposure to asbestos, not others. However, there can be secondary cases, where a person may come into contact with someone who has been exposed to asbestos in the past. The key to mesothelioma, as is apparent here, is exposure to asbestos.

The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Once the patient has inhaled asbestos dust/fibers, other factors like smoking can aggravate the condition over a period of time. There can be other causes of mesothelioma too. For example, there have been cases diagnosed where the patient has had no history of asbestos exposure. People can get it from people who have had asbestos exposure. 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. In this disease, malignant (cancerous) cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. 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. Across America, for people working at facilities that were asbestos-related, it became a nightmare. This was more because at that time, asbestos, because of the number of advantages it had over other metals, was widely used across industries all over the world. It was a tragedy of epic proportions waiting to be unleashed, and when it was unleashed, it wrought havoc in the lives of people all across America. Thousands lost their lives to mesothelioma, and even now, thousands more continue to fight this dreaded disease.

Even today, more than 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the USA. Today, mesothelioma victims and their relatives struggle to cope with the disease. For survivors of mesothelioma legal action against the industries that brought this disease on them has been one way of exorcising the pain and agony they have had to undergo. For a number of victims of mesothelioma lawyers have been able to settle cases successfully. 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:

·       To detect mesothelioma is often very late. It manifests in a person years after exposure to asbestos, as long as 15 to 20 years.

·       While the gestation period is extremely long, as mentioned above, the exposure time is extremely short, as less as two to three months. This means that a person doesn't even have to have prolonged exposure.

·       The average lifespan of a person, after diagnosis, is very short, around 24 months.

·       It affects not only a person exposed to asbestos; chances are that he can pass on the asbestos dust or fiber to his near and dear ones as well.

Types of Mesothelioma

Primarily, mesothelioma occurs in three areas, based on which mesothelioma is categorized into:

Ø Pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the pleura, the outer lining protecting the chest cavity as well as the lungs)

Ø Pericardial mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the pericardium, the sac enclosing the heart)

Ø 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:

Ø Epithelioid mesothelioma (approximately 50 to 70 percent of all mesothelial cells)

Ø Sarcomatoid mesothelioma (least common mesothelioma cell type, approximately 10 to 15 percent)

Ø Biphasic mesothelioma. (approximately 20 to 40 percent of all mesothelial cells)

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the kind of mesothelioma a patient may have. If a patient is suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma, he would generally feel a pain in the chest region, accompanied by shallow breathing. These symptoms occur owing to the deposition of fluid in the pleura.

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms differ from those of pleural mesothelioma. In the case of localized peritoneal mesothelioma, the symptoms include:

v Fever

v Difficulties in bowel movements

v Anemia

v Abnormalities observed during blood clots

In the case of advanced peritoneal mesothelioma, the symptoms would further include pain, a swelling of the face or the neck, and difficulties in ingestion.

Mesothelioma symptoms usually map to those of other, lesser serious ailments. Therefore it is prudent to consult a specialist to ensure what the symptoms indicate.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma diagnosis is not an easy task, as the symptoms map to other lesser ailments, as mentioned above. The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is a review of the patient's medical history. It is important to know if the patient has had any illnesses whose symptoms mesothelioma too displays. At this time, it is also important to know if the patient has had prior exposure to asbestos. 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.

It is important to do a detailed physical examination of the patient, including x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. The focus would usually be on the abdominal and chest regions. If there is anything suspicious at the end of these examinations, it is advisable to do a biopsy.

A biopsy is usually done by a specialist, either an oncologist or a surgeon. Biopsy involves taking a tissue sample from the patient and subjecting it to specific tests to determine the presence or absence of mesothelioma. Biopsy in the case of mesothelioma can be:

   Thoracoscopy (done by taking tissue samples from inside the chest region, using a thoracoscope)

   Peritoneoscopy (done by taking tissue samples from the abdominal region, using a peritoneoscope)

Once the diagnosis is made, it is vital to learn the stage at which mesothelioma has been detected. Depending on whether the cancer is still at the original site or whether it has spread to other parts of the body, the mesothelioma can be called:

   Localized (still at the original site)

   Advanced (spread to other parts of the body)

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 - Surgically removing the cancerous body part. For example, malignant pleural mesothelioma treatment could involve removal of the affected lung by performing a pneumonectomy.

   Radiation therapy - Exposing the affected part to high-energy rays to kill the malignant cells

   Chemotherapy - Using chemicals/drugs to destroy the malignant cells, either by injecting them into the patient, or intravenously, or by direct placement in the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).

Mesothelioma Prognosis

In the case of mesothelioma, prognosis is not as accurate as it is with other lesser serious ailments. This is because prognosis usually depends on the phase at which an illness is detected. Mesothelioma is usually detected quite late in a patient, so it becomes difficult to state the cure percentage or lifespan of a patient after treatment. Whatever statistics are available are not as reliable as one would like them to be. While it has not been easy to determine which of the two - pleural or peritoneal - mesothelioma is harder to stage, experts are generally in agreement that a prognosis is quite difficult for both.

Mesothelioma cancer occurs because of prolonged exposure to market sectors where the workers are subjected to dusty natural environments containing asbestos fibers. Such industries are generally related to stone-crushing, textiles, domestic plumbing industries, color making, and construction firms among others.

In certain industries the workers have to do their job with little or no safeguards from the asbestos debris entering into their lung area. In most cases the disastrous effects are observed years later. Only several treatments can provide momentary solutions to the disease but inevitably the cancer malignancy spreads to other areas of the body.

Eighty percent of mesothelioma cases never go to court, according to a recent survey, due to the limited life expectancy of the patient. Even so, a court settlement will give the sufferer much needed-money in order to offset their mounting medical bills and at least preserve some quality to their life.

You only have a brief amount of time after getting diagnosed with mesothelioma to launch a claim. Certain states allow claims to be filed for up to two or three years, however, many states only permit you one year to file the claim. Don't let conniving asbestos company legal professionals string you along with false promises or you will end up waiting too long to file your lawsuit due to their delay tactics.

If you are late by even one day when filing your lawsuit, you may risk losing a huge amount of money in settlements in your case that would benefit you and your family. Once you have any kind of symptom associated with mesothelioma, it is imperative that you seek out an established law firm who specializes in mesothelioma related cancer situations.