Mesothelioma FAQ

Who can get mesothelioma?
It is most commonly found in Caucasian men over the age of 50. Occupations associated with occurrence of mesothelioma can include asbestos miners, certain factory workers, insulation factories, railroad workers, ship builders, automotive workers, and workers in the heating and construction industries.

How long does the disease take to develop?
Mesothelioma usually develops between 20 and 40 years after exposure to asbestos.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
The strongest symptoms of mesothelioma on the lungs are chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. Patients sometimes may experience weakness, weight loss, lower back pains, and/or difficulty swallowing. Symptoms of mesothelioma in the abdomen can include weight loss, nausea, and pain and swelling in the abdomen due to a buildup of fluid or a mass in the abdomen. Other symptoms can include difficulty with bowel movements, anemia, and swelling of the feet.

How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Because it is hard to diagnose, your doctor will take a thorough medical history, conduct a physical exam, and order additional tests. These tests can include a chest x-ray, a computerized tomography (CT) scan, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. These tests help your doctor assess if there is loss of lung volume and to see the location, size, and mass of any cancerous growth.

Other tests may include a thoracentesis, which is a test in which a needle is inserted into the lung area to drain fluid for testing, or a biopsy, which may confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. During a biopsy, your doctor removes a sample of tissue to observe under a microscope. Your doctor also may use other special instruments to look in your body and take samples. If these tests don't prove the presence or absence of cancer, more extensive surgery may be needed to arrive at a definite diagnosis.

Mesothelioma is not common and can be difficult to diagnose and treat. If you are diagnosed with the disease, see a doctor and treatment center with special experience with mesothelioma.

What do the "stages" of mesothelioma mean?
There are four stages of mesothelioma, which tell how serious the disease is. Staging defines how far the cancer has spread from its original location to other parts of the body. If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, your doctor will need to know the stage of your disease. The stage the cancer is in will help your doctor choose both the right treatment and prognosis of the disease.

Staging can be clinical or pathological. Clinical staging is determined with scanning tests and x-rays. Pathological staging refers to staging done at surgery. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) moves through four stages, each one more serious than the next. The cancer is described as localized if it is found only on the lining surface where it originated. If the cancer has spread beyond the original site to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, chest wall, or abdominal organs, it is considered as advanced.

The stage of the cancer helps to determine treatment options and helps determine the prognosis of the disease. Pleural mesothelioma is the only mesothelioma that has a staging system. But the clinical staging systems are considered inadequate due to the way the disease spreads.

What are the treatment options for mesothelioma?
Like other cancers, mesothelioma may be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or surgery to remove cancerous growths. ALIMTA, when given with cisplatin, is the first and only chemotherapy drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) when surgery is not an option.

What causes mesothelioma?
The biggest risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in industrial applications for decades because of its fibrous nature and its ability to be woven into many different materials to add strength, flexibility, and durability. Undisturbed, asbestos poses a minimal health risk to individuals. Unfortunately asbestos is easily broken into small, sharp fibers that become airborne when asbestos products are cut, sanded, broken, removed or otherwise disturbed. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled or ingested can cause problems in the lungs and mesothelium, which is a layer of tissue that lines the chest and abdomen. When asbestos fibers get stuck in the mesothelium on the outside of the lungs or the abdomen, they cause irritation that, over a long period of time, can lead to fluid build-up and tumors that characterize mesothelioma. Learn more about asbestos here.

What is the mesothelium?
The mesothelium is a double-layered, sheath-like lining that surrounds the cavities of the chest, abdomen, and heart. The mesothelium provides support and lubrication for the various organs of the body to move, expand, and contract while keeping them in place. The two layers of the mesothelium are very thin. Between them is a fluid that provides the lubrication properties of the tissue. Asbestos fibers that become lodged in the mesothelium can irritate mesothelial cells and lead to the formation of cancer. In many cases the mesothelium, or a portion of the affected tissue, is removed in mesothelioma patients.

What are the different types of mesothelioma?
There are three types of malignant mesothelioma cancer. There are other forms of mesothelioma that are benign, but they are usually much easier to cure and are not caused by exposure to asbestos.

The three forms of mesothelioma that are caused by asbestos are: pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma affects the mesothelium surrounding the chest and lungs. It is the most common form of the disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form of mesothelioma and it originates in the mesothelium of the abdomen. Pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare and affects the membrane surrounding the heart cavity.

Can I get mesothelioma if I have not been exposed to asbestos?
There is no conclusive evidence to support the existence of causes other than asbestos that, acting alone, lead to mesothelioma. There is some speculation that mesothelioma may be more prevalent in those exposed to asbestos who are also genetically predisposed to the disease. Research has also suggested that those with a disease called Simian virus 40, or SV40, are more susceptible to mesothelioma. However, even those with SV40 who have developed mesothelioma have usually been exposed to asbestos as well. It is thought that SV40 may increase the chances of developing the disease when an infected individual is exposed to asbestos. It should also be noted that many don’t realize they have been exposed to asbestos. This is usually the case when a person lives with someone who works with the substance brings the microscopic fibers into the home on their
clothes, hair, skin, etc. Since there need not be high levels of asbestos exposure for mesothelioma to develop, constant exposure of this type can lead to mesothelioma over time.

Am I at risk?
If you have had a history of exposure to asbestos, you may be at risk of developing mesothelioma. Typically, mesothelioma patients have been exposed to large amounts of the fibers, but this is not always the case. If you have experienced any of the symptoms of mesothelioma, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.