Mesothelioma What To Know About It

Mesothelioma What To Know About It

Understanding Mesothelioma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment:

Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue covering many of the internal organs, most commonly the lungs. Known as malignant mesothelioma, this disease is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, a toxic mineral once widely used in construction, shipbuilding, and various industrial products. Understanding mesothelioma is essential for early detection, proper diagnosis, and exploring available treatment options.

Every year, thousands of people are diagnosed with mesothelioma, often decades after their initial asbestos exposure. Symptoms typically include chest pain, shortness of breath, fluid buildup, and fatigue, which often leads to a delayed diagnosis. There are different types of mesothelioma pleural (lungs), peritoneal (abdomen), pericardial (heart), and testicular, each with its own symptoms and treatment approaches.

Since mesothelioma is both rare and complex, many patients benefit from receiving care from a specialized cancer center. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these. While there is currently no cure, early diagnosis and access to expert care can significantly improve quality of life and survival rates.

In addition to medical concerns, patients and their families often face financial stress. This is why many seek help from mesothelioma lawyers to pursue compensation from asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.
Whether you are newly diagnosed, caring for someone with mesothelioma, or seeking prevention tips, understanding this disease is the first step toward making informed decisions.

What Is A Mesothelioma

• Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that starts in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs, heart, abdomen, and testicles. The most common kind is called pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. This disease is mainly caused by asbestos exposure. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.

Key Facts About Mesothelioma:

• Symptoms can take 20 to 60 years to show up after being exposed to asbestos.
• About 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S. each year.
• Most people are between 75 and 79 years old when they are diagnosed.
• Mesothelioma is usually cancerous (malignant), but noncancerous (benign) cases do exist, though they are rare.

Doctors group mesothelioma into different types depending on where the cancer grows around the lungs, belly, heart, or testicles. The kind of mesothelioma someone has can affect their treatment options, recovery outlook, and life expectancy.

What Are the Types Of Mesothelioma Diseases

Below are the types of mesothelioma cancer diseases:

Pleural Mesothelioma:

• This is the most common type of mesothelioma.
• It grows in the pleura, which is the thin layer that protects the outside of the lungs.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma:

• This is the second most common form. It starts in the lining of the abdomen.
• People with this type often have better chances of survival, and surgery tends to work well in many cases.

Pericardial Mesothelioma:

• This rare type affects the lining around the heart. It accounts for about 1% of all mesothelioma cases.
• Treatment choices are very limited, and the average survival is between 2 and 6 months.

Testicular Mesothelioma:

• This is the rarest type, found in the lining around the testicles.
• Treatment options are also limited, but about one-third of patients with this type live for 10 years or more.

What Are The Symptoms Of Mesothelioma Cancer?| Mesothelioma What To Know About It

Mesothelioma symptoms often appear many years after being exposed to asbestos, sometimes 20 to 60 years later. This delay is known as the latency period. The symptoms you feel usually depend on where the cancer is located in your body.

Some common signs of mesothelioma include:

• Feeling very tired
• Losing weight without trying
• Having a fever

Symptoms by Type of Mesothelioma:

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lung Lining):

• Chest pain
• Feeling very tired
• Trouble breathing
• A constant cough
• Fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)
• Unexplained weight loss

Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen Lining):

• Pain or swelling in the belly
• Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Feeling sick or losing your appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weight loss

Pericardial Mesothelioma (Heart Lining):

• Chest pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness

Testicular Mesothelioma (Testis Lining):

• Pain or swelling in the groin
• Lumps or discomfort in the testicles

What Causes Mesothelioma

The main cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a harmful mineral once commonly used in building materials and other products. When these materials are damaged or disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers can get into the air. People can then breathe in or swallow these fibers without knowing it.

• According to Dr. Marcelo DaSilva, a leading thoracic surgeon at AdventHealth Cancer Institute, these fibers can stay in the body for many years and cause ongoing inflammation in the mesothelium — the thin lining that protects organs like the lungs, heart, and abdomen. “It causes chronic inflammation in the mesothelium,” says Dr. DaSilva. “This can lead to genetic changes.”

Over time, this long-term irritation may cause damage to your cells’ DNA. These changes can lead to the development of mesothelioma cancer cells. As the damaged cells grow and multiply, tumors may begin to form.

Even though the risk is highest for people who worked with asbestos directly, secondhand exposure is also possible. That means people living with someone who worked around asbestos may also be at risk.

Understanding how mesothelioma starts can help with early detection and better prevention, especially if you know you were exposed to asbestos in the past.

Who Is Most at Risk of Mesothelioma

People who are most at risk for mesothelioma are usually those who were regularly exposed to asbestos, especially at work. Jobs in construction, shipbuilding, mining, and the military often involved working around asbestos-containing materials. However, any amount of asbestos exposure can be dangerous, and there is no safe level of exposure.   Mesothelioma What To Know About It

Other personal factors can also increase someone’s risk of developing mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos.
Common Mesothelioma Risk Factors:

Occupational Exposure:

• People who worked with asbestos in industries like construction, shipbuilding, automotive work, and mining faced the highest risk.
• Military members were also commonly exposed.

Environmental Exposure:

• Those living near asbestos mines, factories, or areas with asbestos in the soil may breathe in asbestos fibers from the air or dust around them.

Secondary Exposure:

• Family members of workers could also be exposed if asbestos fibers were carried home on clothing, skin, or tools.
• This is called secondhand or household exposure.

Family History and Genetics:

• Some people have a genetic change (BAP1 mutation) that makes them more sensitive to asbestos.
• If someone in your family had mesothelioma, your risk may be higher.

Age and Gender:

• Older adults and men are more commonly diagnosed, possibly due to past workplace exposure.

How Is Mesothelioma Treated

Mesothelioma is treated using a combination of methods, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Each year, the American Society of Clinical Oncology reviews and updates treatment guidelines to help doctors choose the best care for patients.

Your treatment plan will depend on your type of mesothelioma, whether it is cancerous or noncancerous, as well as your overall health.

Common Mesothelioma Treatments:

• Chemotherapy
• Clinical trials
• Immunotherapy
• Multimodal therapy (a mix of treatments)
• Palliative care (for symptom relief)
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery
• Tumor Treating Fields (TTF)

Sometimes, one treatment may not work, so patients try others. For example, pleural mesothelioma survivor Wally Rogers did not respond well to chemotherapy. He switched to immunotherapy and made a strong recovery.

After treatment, Wally’s CT scans showed no signs of tumors. His health improved so much that he’s back to hiking and skiing. He encourages others to explore all available options to improve their chances.

Mesothelioma Prevention and Risk Reduction |Mesothelioma What To Know About It

The best way to lower your risk of mesothelioma is to avoid asbestos exposure. You and your family can take steps to stay safe. If you think there is asbestos in your home, don’t try to remove it yourself; hire a licensed professional to handle it safely.

At work, employers are required to follow safety rules that protect workers from asbestos. This includes providing proper personal protective equipment (PPE), such as:

• Special masks
• Gloves
• Protective clothing

These items help prevent harmful asbestos fibers from entering your lungs.

Always wear protective gear if you work near asbestos. If safety rules are not being followed or the gear is not good enough, report it to your union representative. Speaking up helps protect not only you, but your coworkers, too.

If you have been exposed to asbestos, let your doctor know. You may need screening tests to catch health problems early. Also, if you smoke, try to quit. While smoking does not cause mesothelioma, it greatly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially for those exposed to asbestos.

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Mesothelioma is a serious condition most often caused by asbestos exposure. Knowing the signs, understanding your risk, and seeking medical help early can make a big difference. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent it completely, taking steps to avoid asbestos and following workplace safety rules are key to reducing your risk. Visit the Official Website For Mesothelioma.