All You Need To Know About Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer that primarily develops in the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). Caused by asbestos, mesothelioma has no known cure and has a poor prognosis.
Learn more about various topics related to mesothelioma below, and follow the links for additional information on each subject.

Parts of the Lung Affected by Mesothelioma

Prognosis and Survival of Mesothelioma Patients

When diagnosed with mesothelioma, the prognosis is usually very poor, as there is no cure for the disease, and typically it is discovered at a late stage of development. Generally, the earlier mesothelioma is diagnosed, the better prognosis a patient has.

Other Factors That Can Affect Prognosis

• The cell type and location of the tumor(s)
• Whether the disease has spread (metastasized)
• Overall health of the individual

Survivors

While prognosis is generally poor, there is still hope of survival. For example, Heather Von St. James is a 10-year mesothelioma survivor who has become an advocate for mesothelioma awareness and an outspoken proponent of banning asbestos. Other mesothelioma survivors have shared their stories, which can inspire those who have mesothelioma.

 

Types of Mesothelioma by location

mesethelioma is most commonly classified by the location in the body where it develops. Specifically, the cancer forms in the lining of certain organs or spaces within the body, known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma typically develops in one of three specific areas. 

• Pleural Mesothelioma

  Lungs
  The most common type, pleural mesothelioma is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers.
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  Peritoneal Mesothelioma

  Abdomen
  Inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers can become trapped in lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum).
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  Pericardial Mesothelioma

  Heart
  In rare cases, asbestos fibers can get lodged in the pericardium, the lining around the heart cavity.

   Types of mesothelioma by Cells

   Mesothelioma can also be characterized by the type of cell that makes up the tumors. The cell type is determined through a process known as histology, which is a microscopic inspection of the tissue acquired through a biopsy.
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  Epithelioid Mesothelioma

  The most common cell type, epithelioid mesothelioma has elongated tumor cells that are all of a similar shape and size.
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  Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

  Less common than other cell types, sarcomatoid mesothelioma is very aggressive and resistant to various forms of treatment.
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  Biphasic Mesothelioma

  Biphasic mesothelioma consists of a mixture of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells and shows characteristics of both.
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  Other Cell Types

  Other cell type variations exist, such as demoplastic (a variation of sarcomatoid) and deciduoid (an epithelioid variation).
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  Mesothelioma Diagnosis

  As a rare form of cancer, diagnosing mesothelioma can be a long, complex, and often frustrating process, and the disease is often misdiagnosed. Doctors rely on the symptoms of the patient as well as various types of tests to diagnose mesothelioma.
  

  Symptoms

  The symptoms associated with mesothelioma can often look like conditions related to other diseases, which makes it very difficult to diagnose.
  
  
  

  Common Symptoms of Mesothelioma

  
  

  • Trouble breathing or chest pain
  • Effusion (fluid buildup) in the lungs or abdomen
  • Anemia (especially in women)

  • Nausea / vomiting
  • Loss of weight

  Diagnostic Tests

  Typically, doctors will try to diagnose the disease by eliminating other potential or related diseases and conditions first. This often involves a variety of tests that provide differing levels of information from which to make a determination about the disease.
  
  
  Imaging Tests

  Blood Tests

  Biopsies

  Imaging Tests

  Imaging tests can include x-rays, CT scans, PET scans, and MRIs, each of which provide a different level of sight into the body without using surgical methods. Because they are non-invasive, these types of imaging tests are often the first forms of diagnostic tool used in detecting mesothelioma.
  
  

  Blood Tests

  In some cases, mesothelioma may be able to be detected through the use of certain blood tests that look for biomarkers — unusual substances in the blood that can indicate a particular condition. While no definitive mesothelioma biomarker test exists, these tests could eventually lead to earlier detection than currently exists.

  Biopsies

  Collecting tumor tissue through a biopsy is usually one of the last mesothelioma tests to be taken. While it is the most reliable test, it can also be the most invasive, which is why doctors tend to wait until they have ruled out other diseases through other tests before taking a biopsy.
  

  Causes of Mesothelomia

  The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. A naturally occurring mineral, asbestos was once used for its fire- and heat-resistant properties, and it can still be found across the country in many different places, including older homes, schools, public buildings, and worksites. Asbestos is not banned, but its use in the U.S. is limited to certain types of products.
  

  Other Mesothelioma Risk Factors

  While asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma, other risk factors can increase the potential for developing the disease.
  

  
  

  Risk Factors

  
  

  • Radiation
  • Genetic factors
  • Simian Virus 40 (SV40)

  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Exposure to asbestos-like minerals (zeolite,erionite)