Mesothelioma Cancer Guide

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that grows in a type of tissue in the body called the mesothelium and is caused by asbestos exposure. The widespread use of asbestos in the U.S. caused countless incidents of exposure and resulting illnesses. Learn more about your diagnosis in our mesothelioma cancer guide, and discover what you can do if you think you’ve been exposed.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive a free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more. 

What Is Mesothelioma Cancer?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that begins in the mesothelium, the tissue that lines organs in the body. The most common type of this cancer is pleural mesothelioma, in which tumors form in the tissue around the lungs.

Asbestos fibers that are inhaled lodge in tissue and cause damage over decades. Other rarer types of mesothelioma attack the peritoneum in the abdominal cavity or the pericardium around the heart.

Malignant mesothelioma takes decades—sometimes up to 50 years—to develop after exposure to asbestos, and because it is rare with symptoms similar to more common illnesses, diagnosis is often delayed.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

The main and only confirmed cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. No level is safe, but repeated and prolonged exposure to products that contain asbestos is more likely to lead to a later diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a natural, fibrous mineral used in many materials and products. When asbestos products shed tiny fibers, they become part of the dust in the air and on surfaces. People in the area without protective gear inadvertently inhale or ingest those fibers.

Asbestos fibers stick in tissues inside the body and cause inflammation and damage. In some people, over many years, this damage can lead to illness, including mesothelioma or other cancers.

While anyone can potentially be exposed to asbestos, the primary cause of mesothelioma is occupational asbestos exposure.

Other factors might play a role in the development of mesothelioma, including genetics. However, asbestos remains the leading cause.

Who Is at Risk for Mesothelioma?

Any amount of asbestos exposure puts people at risk of developing mesothelioma. Those at the highest risk worked around asbestos for many years. Asbestos was used in several industries throughout most of the 1900s. Some of the most at-risk people worked in:

• The military, especially the U.S. Navy
• Construction
• Shipyards
• Industrial and manufacturing jobs
• Automotive repair shops

Other workplaces likely to have contained asbestos include:

• Power plants
• Steel plants
• Manufacturing facilities
• Oil refineries
• Power stations
• Welding businesses
• Chemical plants
• Mines
• Vermiculite processing plants
• Textile mills

Secondhand Asbestos Exposure

Anyone who lived with someone who worked with asbestos could also develop mesothelioma. They often were exposed to fibers brought home on the worker’s clothing or skin.

This is known as secondhand asbestos exposure. It occurred before people understood the risks of being around mesothelioma and carrying fibers home with them.

Mesothelioma Risk in Veterans

U.S. Navy veterans have some of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the country. American naval vessels built from the 1930s to the early 1960s contained large amounts of asbestos.

Floors, hulls, electrical systems, insulation, boilers, steam pipes, and more contained asbestos fibers to add tensile strength, heat resistance, and low electrical conductivity.

Other Mesothelioma Risk Factors

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. Not everyone exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma, although exposure is the leading cause.

Older males are diagnosed with mesothelioma the most, particularly those who worked decades ago in facilities with asbestos.

Family history is also a risk factor, suggesting there may be a genetic component to mesothelioma. Finally, radiation therapy to the chest can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma.

How Can I Prevent Mesothelioma?

If you know you worked with asbestos in the past, you are at risk for mesothelioma. You can reduce your risk by improving your overall health, but you cannot eliminate the risk.

Workers today who might still be at risk of being around asbestos can lower their risk of exposure to prevent mesothelioma. Know your risk factors on the job. If there is asbestos present, your employer should make you aware of it and provide safety training and gear.

Follow all safety protocols to protect yourself at work. If your employer has not provided information and safety equipment, you can report these violations to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can develop in the mesothelium in various parts of the body, most commonly in the chest and the abdomen. There are four main types based on the location of the cancer.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma cancer. It develops in the pleural tissue, which surrounds the lungs. It is likely the most common form because of how easy it is to inhale asbestos fibers. More than 75% of mesothelioma diagnoses are pleural.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The second most common is peritoneal mesothelioma, which develops in the peritoneum, the tissue lining abdominal organs. Fewer than 20% of diagnoses are peritoneal mesothelioma. It is likely caused by the ingestion of asbestos fibers.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the pericardium. This is the part of the mesothelium that surrounds the heart. It is rare and accounts for about 1% of mesothelioma diagnoses. It might occur when asbestos fibers migrate from pleural tissue to the heart.

Testicular Mesothelioma

The rarest type of mesothelioma develops in the tissue around the testicles. Very few cases have been diagnosed, so information about them is limited. The official name for the condition is tunica vaginalis testis mesothelioma.

Epithelioid vs. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

Another way to categorize mesothelioma is by cell type. Mesothelioma in epithelial cells is the most common, accounting for about 70% of cases.

Between 10% and 20% of mesothelioma diagnoses occur primarily in sarcomatoid cells. This type is more aggressive.

When there is a mix of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells in a mesothelioma biopsy sample, it is considered to be biphasic.

What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma symptoms often don’t appear or become worrisome for many years after asbestos exposure. They are often similar to symptoms of more common illnesses, which can lead to confusion and inaccurate diagnosis.

Even so, it’s important to understand the symptoms of the different types of mesothelioma, especially if you know or think you may have been exposed to asbbestos

Earlier symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pains
• Persistent dry coughing

Later symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Severe chest and lung pain
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Fever

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:

• Abdominal pain and swelling
• A feeling of fullness and loss of appetite
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Bowel obstruction

Pericardial mesothelioma causes difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pains, coughing, fever, swelling in lower limbs, fatigue, and heart failure.

How Is Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosed?

It can take decades to diagnose mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not be evident for 20 to 50 years after exposure. Even then, the symptoms may initially seem mild and mimic those of pneumonia, the flu, and other common illnesses.

Physicians need to know if patients with mesothelioma-like symptoms may have been exposed to asbestos in the past. This helps them make the most accurate diagnosis and refer patients to the right specialists.

After a physical exam, a diagnosis will likely involve:

• Blood tests to look for markers
• X-rays to rule out more common respiratory illnesses
• Other types of imaging scans
• If tumors or growths are seen in scans, the next step is to perform a biopsy

A biopsy is when a doctor removes a small piece of tissue for pathologists to examine under a microscope. This is usually the most conclusive way to determine if growths are cancerous. After mesothelioma is diagnosed, a specialist will stage the disease.

Diagnosing Mesothelioma Early

Diagnosing mesothelioma early is challenging but important. Many people are diagnosed in later stages of mesothelioma for several reasons:

• Symptoms are delayed years after asbestos exposure
• Symptoms are similar to more common illnesses
• Symptoms and even diagnostic test results can be similar to lung cancer

A late-stage diagnosis of mesothelioma has a poor prognosis. The disease is often difficult to treat at this point. The earlier you can get a diagnosis, the more treatment options you have and the better the prognosis will be.

Staging Mesothelioma

As with other cancers, oncologists assign one of four stages after diagnosing mesothelioma to describe how advanced it is:

• Stage I. Mesothelioma is rarely diagnosed in this earliest stage. At this point, the cancer has not spread from the pleural tissue. Patients in stage I have many treatment options and the best chance of surviving.

• Stage II. By stage II, the cancer has spread away from the primary location but has not yet spread to lymph nodes or other types of tissue. Symptoms are still mild, and there are multiple treatment options to extend life expectancy, including surgery.

• Stage III. Stage III mesothelioma is characterized by the spreading of the cancer to tissues near the pleura, such as the chest wall or lungs. It may have spread to the lymph nodes. Symptoms are more severe and treatment options are limited.

• Stage IV. The most advanced stage of mesothelioma is metastatic. The cancer has spread to lymph nodes, to the other side of the chest cavity, and to other distant areas of the body. Treatment options are limited and focused on palliative care.

What Is the Outlook for Mesothelioma Patients?

Mesothelioma cancer currently has nosons that the prognosis is not usually positive. Additionally, the prognosis is often not very good because most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the later stages when treatment options are limited.

Each patient is different, and while one person may survive a year, another person may go on to live for decades. Work with your physician on the best treatment options for you and your unique situation.

Treatment for Mesothelioma

Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or a combination of these have proven to be the most effective mesothelioma treatments so far. Whenever possible, oncologists recommend surgery to remove as much of the cancerous tissue as possible.

Patients who are not good candidates for surgery are in stage III or r are in poor physical conditi poor health.

Patients who undergo surgery are then usually given chemotherapy or radto try to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. Those who cannot have surgery may be given one or both of these treatments to slow the cancer’s spread and extend life.

The Future of Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma research is ongoing, and some exciting emerging treatments may help more patients in the future:

• Better, more targeted chemotherapy drugs that are selective for cancer cells.
• Photodynamic therapy, which uses light-activated drugs to target tumors.
• Immunotherapy is a treatment that harnesses the patient’s own immune system to target and kill cancer cells.
• Gene therapy may allow the manipulation of cancer cell genes to make them easier to kill.
• Virus therapy is in the very early stages of research but may be useful in harnessing viruses to attack and kill cancer cells selectively.

How Can I Find Mesothelioma Treatment Near Me?

Because mesothelioma is rare, many oncologists have little to no experience treating it. Talk to your doctor or diagnosing oncologist for recommendations.

For the best treatment options, look for a large cancer center with mesothelioma specialists on staff. You may need to travel to get the best care.

Some of the top cancer treatment centers in the U.S. for mesothelioma are:

• MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
• The Pacific Mesothelioma Center, Los Angeles, California
• Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
• H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
• The University of Chicago Cancer Center, Chicago Illinois

Veterans with mesothelioma can work with specialists at the VA hospitals and medical centers in Boston and Los Angeles.

When Should I See a Doctor About Mesothelioma?

If you know or suspect you were exposed to asbestos in the past, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. You do not need to have any symptoms to discuss options, including regular health screenings.

If you have any symptoms similiar to any of the types of mesothelioma, see your doctor. They should be able to rule out more common illnesses and refer you to specialists for an accurate diagnosis. If you are not happy with your doctor’s diagnosis or they do not take your concerns seriously, seek a second opinion.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma

Here are some answers to additional questions people commonly ask about mesothelioma and asbestos.

How Did I Get Mesothelioma?

You were most likely exposed to asbestos at one or more past workplaces. An experienced asbestos attorney can use your work history and their extensive resources to confirm where and when you encountered asbestos.

Is There a Cure for Mesothelioma?

There is no cure for mesothelioma right now. Specialists treat mesothelioma like a chronic illness. Expect to need ongoing treatment to extend your life expectancy and improve your quality of life.

Researchers continue to study the mechanisms of mesothelioma and better treatments to help more patients achieve remission.

Does Anyone Survive Mesothelioma?

Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, some people go into remission and live ten years or longer after a diagnosis. This is unusual but possible. The best chance of a longer life expectancy is to diagnose mesothelioma early and begin aggressive treatments right away.

What Is the Life Expectancy for Mesothelioma?

Many different factors contribute to a patient’s life expectancy: age and overall health, stage of the cancer, treatment options, and more. Considering all mesothelioma patients, the average life expectancy is 12 to 21 months.

Getting Legal Help

Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. Keep in mind that if you have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for considerable compensation. For additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.