What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the lining of certain organs such as the lungs, heart and stomach; however, the most common location of mesothelioma is in the lungs. Like other forms of cancer, mesothelioma is caused by exposure to certain substances, particularly asbestos. Because of this, mesothelioma is commonly referenced as asbestos cancer. While the cause of mesothelioma is known, many wonder, “What is mesothelioma?”

Before delving into the specifics of this deadly cancer it is vital to understand its causes. As previously mentioned, mesothelioma is the direct result of inhaling asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in a plethora of products such as vehicle brakes and building materials. The primary purpose of asbestos materials is to resist heat and corrosion, thus these materials are used in numerous construction and manufacturing jobs.

Mesothelioma directly attacks the mesothelium, which is a dual-layered membrane found in all internal organs. Between each layer are specialized cells that produce a fluid responsible for allowing easy movement of the lungs and heart. Because mesothelioma primarily affects the lungs, the most common type of this cancer is known as pericardial mesothelioma as it affects the pericardium mesothelium lining.

Due to the slow development of mesothelioma, patients typically go undiagnosed until the cancer is in its aggressive, or advanced, stage. One of the primary problems with late detection is the risk of metastasis, which is when the cancer spreads to other parts of the body.

Upon inhaling, it can take 30 to 50 years for the cancer to fully develop and be diagnosed, which is why mesothelioma is common among the elderly. However, researchers agree that the level of asbestos exposure directly relates to the progression of the cancer. For example, September 11th first responders and clean-up crews were exposed to high levels of asbestos, which led to the development and death of said disaster workers due to mesothelioma complications.

Although the medical community has enacted steps to inform the public about the dangers of asbestos, and the implementation of asbestos-regulation in construction and manufacturing processes, statistics show men between the ages of 50 and 70 who once worked in asbestos-rich environments comprise the bulk of mesothelioma cases. While women are at a much less risk of developing this cancer, second-hand asbestos exposure caused by male family members who worked in asbestos-rich environments have affected an increasing number of women.

The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary according to the location of the cancer. Pleural mesothelioma, or lung mesothelioma, carries symptoms such as painful coughing, shortness of breath, unexplainable tissue lumps on the chest and sudden weight loss. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects other organs in the abdomen, typically include abdominal swelling, pain in the abdomen as well as tissue lumps in the stomach area.

As with other forms of cancer, there is no cure for mesothelioma, and survival rates are based on when the cancer is diagnosed and how quickly treatments begin. Typically, mesothelioma patients undergo a series of radiation or chemotherapy; however, surgery is often not an option due to the location of the tumor. Thoracentesis, a treatment to remove fluid from the lungs, is typically performed on patients with lung mesothelioma. Medications may also be used to reduce the severity of mesothelioma symptoms and to directly combat the cancerous cells.

Even though steps are taken to reduce the exposure of asbestos an average of 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of this cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States. Answering the question, “What is mesothelioma?” may be simplistic; however, treating and living with cancer is far from a walk in the park.