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What Is Mesothelioma? Main Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Cancer is a broad term to describe a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells throughout the body. These cells have the ability to invade nearby tissues and organs, disrupting their normal functions.

Cancer can affect any part of the body and is classified into various types based on the specific cell or tissue where it originates. 

In the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of death, exceeded only by heart disease.

Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, primarily affects the lining of specific organs. It includes types such as:

The Concerning Main Causes of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma’s main diagnosis has been linked to toxic exposure to industrial pollutants, especially asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral composed of fibrous silicate minerals. Asbestos fibers are thin, durable, resistant to heat, fire, bacteria, and many chemicals, leading to its use in numerous applications like construction materials, automotive parts, textiles, shipbuilding, and fireproofing.

No longer mined in the United States, asbestos might still be present in imported products and older buildings. Handling materials containing asbestos may release microscopic fibers, putting those exposed to them at risk.

If you have been exposed to asbestos at work, living with someone working with asbestos, or near asbestos mines or factories, consult with your doctor. Research indicates that 8% to 13% of individuals with heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos develop mesothelioma. Not everyone exposed gets mesothelioma, but those exposed over many years are at a higher risk.

If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, you may be eligible for financial compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of income, pain, and suffering, and other related damages. At National Injury Center, we’re here to help you through these difficult times. Learn more about your legal rights and options by filling out our contact form for a FREE legal consultation.

Common Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on where the cancer develops, but some common symptoms include:

  • Pleural mesothelioma: Chest pain, coughing, breathing difficulty, fatigue, unexplained weight loss.
  • Peritoneal mesothelioma: Swollen abdomen, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, unexplained weight loss.
  • Pericardial mesothelioma: Chest pain, arrhythmia, heart murmur, breathing difficulty, unexplained weight loss.
  • Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis: Testicular mass, swelling, pain, hydrocele, fatigue, unexplained weight loss.

It is important to note that these symptoms may be similar to those caused by conditions other than cancer. Therefore, we highly recommend you consult with your doctor for a thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis.

How Is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

Understanding the different types of mesothelioma and their associated symptoms can be of great help for early detection and proper diagnosis.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed through a combination of medical evaluations, imaging tests, and other procedures. The diagnostic process typically involves the following steps:

  • Medical history: Your doctor will review your medical history, paying particular attention to any potential asbestos exposure if you are displaying signs and symptoms that could indicate mesothelioma.
  • Physical examination: In this physical examination, if your doctor or healthcare provider suspects mesothelioma, they may check for the presence of palpable lumps and other unusual signs.
  • Imaging tests: To investigate further, your doctor or healthcare provider may also request imaging scans such as a chest X-ray or a computed tomography (CT) scan of your chest or abdomen to identify any potential abnormalities.
  • Biopsy: A biopsy is the definitive diagnostic procedure for mesothelioma. It involves the removal of a small tissue sample from the affected area for examination. Your doctor selects an appropriate biopsy procedure for you depending on where the affected tissue is suspected to be.
  • Pathological Examination: The collected tissue sample is then analyzed by a pathologist who examines it under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present. If they are, the pathologist may also identify their other traits, such as the type and stage of mesothelioma, based on the characteristics of the cells. Your treatment plan is determined by the specific type of mesothelioma you have.

After confirming the presence of malignant mesothelioma, your doctor might suggest further tests to assess if the cancer has metastasized to the lymph nodes or other parts of your body. This may include further CT scans of the chest and abdomen, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET), depending on your specific case.

To determine the stage of the cancer, the extent and spread of the malignant tumor are commonly taken into account.

The four stages commonly used for staging include:

Cancer staging is used by your doctor to determine the extent and spread of cancer within the body. It provides critical information that will help determine things like your treatment, the frequency with which you must attend consultations, and your prognosis. It also allows better communication of details about your treatment to nurses and other members of the medical staff.

If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, you may be able to seek financial compensation. Fill out our contact form to learn more about how we can help.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options

The selection of the most suitable treatment approach depends on factors such as the stage of the disease, the patient’s overall health, where the malignant mesothelioma is located, and whether it has metastasized to other parts of the body.

In many cases, a combination of treatments is employed to improve outcomes and enhance the patient’s quality of life. The treatment plan is tailored to each individual to ensure the best possible management of their specific mesothelioma case. 

The most common options for treatment include:

  • Surgery: Surgery can be done to achieve different objectives such as decreasing fluid buildup and injecting medicine to prevent fluid from returning or removing the affected organ and/or the tissue that surrounds the affected organ to relieve signs and symptoms.
  • Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of powerful medications to destroy cancer cells or slow down their growth. It is typically administered through intravenous (IV) infusions or oral pills. Chemotherapy can be used as a primary treatment for certain types of mesothelioma or in combination with other therapies to target cancer cells throughout the body.
  • Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy focuses high-energy beams from sources such as X-rays and protons to a specific spot or spots on your body. Radiation may be used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. It may also help reduce signs and symptoms of advanced cancer in situations where surgery is not an option.
  • Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. It can involve checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive T-cell therapy, or cancer vaccines, among other approaches. Immunotherapy is being studied in clinical trials for its potential effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.
  • Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy is a form of treatment that targets specific molecules or proteins within cancer cells to disrupt their growth and division. It is designed to be more precise, targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. Targeted therapy may be used in combination with other treatments to improve their effectiveness in managing mesothelioma.

Typically, stage I and II mesotheliomas, along with some exceptions of stage III cases, have the potential to be surgically removed. However, there are exceptions to this rule. 

The resectability of the cancer is determined not only by the extent of tumor growth but also by its specific subtype (with epithelioid and mixed/biphasic tumors considered more likely to be resectable), location, and the patient’s overall health and suitability for surgery.

Unfortunately, malignant mesothelioma tends to be an aggressive disease that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage as many individuals may not even be aware of their exposure to asbestos until years or decades later when symptoms manifest, which makes the surgical removal of cancer in these cases impossible. When this happens, the focus of treatment shifts to controlling the cancer and enhancing the patient’s comfort and quality of life.

Prognostic And Legal Factors To Take Into Account After A Mesothelioma Diagnosis

A prognosis is an assessment made by healthcare professionals that provides the predicted outcome of a medical condition, particularly a disease or health condition. 

A favorable prognosis indicates a positive and hopeful outcome, while an unfavorable prognosis suggests a less optimistic outcome or a higher likelihood of complications or disease progression.

This assessment is often based on various factors such as the individual’s medical history, the stage and extent of the disease, response to treatment, and overall health status.

For mesothelioma, some factors that have been associated with longer survival times also include:

  • Maintaining the ability to perform daily activities without significant impairment
  • Being younger in age
  • Being female
  • Having the epithelioid subtype of mesothelioma
  • Having normal Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the blood
  • Maintaining normal levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

Prognosis is important for your doctor to determine treatment decisions, manage your expectations as a patient, and provide valuable information to you and your family regarding the potential course of this health condition.

Exposure to asbestos causes most cases of mesothelioma. This and other severe, life-altering, and often incurable diseases are an unfortunate reminder of the significant and persistent health risks associated with asbestos exposure and the importance of implementing necessary precautions against this hazardous substance in work environments and during renovations or demolitions.

In the United States, 2,681 new cases of Mesothelioma were reported in 2020 and 2,376 people died of this cancer.
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, you may be able to seek financial compensation to cover past and future medical expenses, loss of income, pain, and suffering, and other related damages like funeral expenses if the mesothelioma leads to the death of your loved one.

While compensation cannot undo the harm caused by asbestos exposure, it can provide families with the financial resources they need to support the recovery of their loved ones and move forward. 

At National Injury Center we are here to help you through these difficult times. If you want to learn more about your legal rights and options, fill out our contact form for a FREE legal consultation.

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