Learn About Mesothelioma

What is the definition of Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon cancerous tumor. It mainly affects the lining of the lung and chest cavity (pleura) or lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). It is due to long-term asbestos exposure.

What are the alternative names for Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma - malignant; Malignant pleura mesothelioma (MPM)

What are the causes of Mesothelioma?

Long-term exposure to asbestos is the biggest risk factor. Asbestos is a fire-resistant material. It was once commonly found in insulation, ceiling and roofing vinyls, cement, and car brakes. Even though many asbestos workers smoked, experts do not believe smoking itself is a cause of this condition.

Older veterans make up 30% of the cases of mesothelioma due to exposure in the military ship, vehicle, and plane industry.

Men are affected more often than women. The average age at diagnosis is 60 years. Most people seem to develop the condition about 30 years after being in contact with the asbestos.

What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Symptoms may not appear until 20 to 40 years or longer after exposure to asbestos, and may include:

  • Abdominal bloating
  • Abdominal pain
  • Chest pain, especially when taking a deep breath
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weight loss
  • Fever and sweating
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What are the current treatments for Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat.

There is usually no cure, unless the disease is found very early and the tumor can be completely removed with surgery. Most of the time, when the disease is diagnosed, it is too advanced for surgery. Chemotherapy or radiation may be used to reduce symptoms. Combining certain chemotherapy medicines may help decrease symptoms, but it will not cure the cancer.

Untreated, most people survive about 9 months.

Participating in a clinical trial (test of new treatments), may give the person more treatment options.

Pain relief, oxygen, and other supportive treatments may also help relieve symptoms.

Who are the top Mesothelioma Local Doctors?
Elite in Mesothelioma
Oncology | Hematology
Elite in Mesothelioma
Oncology | Hematology

MD Anderson

2130 W Holcombe Blvd, Life Sciences Plaza, 
Houston, TX 
 (557.9 mi)
Languages Spoken:
English
Offers Telehealth

Anne Tsao is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Tsao and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesothelioma. Her top areas of expertise are Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Thymic Epithelial Tumor, and Tissue Biopsy.

Elite in Mesothelioma
Thoracic Surgery
Elite in Mesothelioma
Thoracic Surgery

MD Anderson

2130 W Holcombe Blvd, Life Sciences Plaza, 
Houston, TX 
 (557.9 mi)
Languages Spoken:
English
Offers Telehealth

David Rice is a Thoracic Surgeon in Houston, Texas. Dr. Rice and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesothelioma. His top areas of expertise are Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Thymectomy, and Endoscopy.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Mesothelioma
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Elite in Mesothelioma
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
5323 Harry Hines Blvd, 
Dallas, TX 
 (334.9 mi)
Languages Spoken:
English
Accepting New Patients

David Waller is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Waller and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesothelioma. His top areas of expertise are Mesothelioma, Emphysema, Lung Cancer, Endoscopy, and Mastectomy. Dr. Waller is currently accepting new patients.

What are the support groups for Mesothelioma?

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Mesothelioma?

The survival time varies greatly from several months to several years. The outlook depends on:

  • The location of the mesothelioma
  • The cell type of the mesothelioma
  • The stage of the tumor
  • The person's age and general health
  • Whether surgery is an option
  • The person's response to treatment

You and your family may want to start thinking about end-of-life planning, such as:

  • Palliative care
  • Hospice care
  • Advance care directives
  • Health care agents
What are the possible complications of Mesothelioma?

Complications of malignant mesothelioma may include:

  • Side effects of chemotherapy or radiation
  • Continued spread of cancer to other organs
When should I contact a medical professional for Mesothelioma?

Make an appointment with your provider if you have symptoms of malignant mesothelioma.

How do I prevent Mesothelioma?

Avoid exposure to asbestos.

What are the latest Mesothelioma Clinical Trials?
A Phase I Study of the Safety, Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Properties of Orally Administered APG-2449 in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

Summary: APG-2449 is a novel, orally active, multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which inhibits FAK, ALK, and ROS1 with nanomolar potencies. In preclinical studies, APG-2449 demonstrated potent antiproliferative activity in various cancer cell lines as a single agent. In combination treatment, APG-2449 enhanced anti-proliferative activities of several chemotherapeutic and targeted agents. It is indic...

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A Phase 1, Open-label, Multicenter, Dose-escalation and Cohort Expansion Study of OKN4395, a Dual Antagonist of EP2 and EP4 Prostanoid Receptors, As Monotherapy and in Combination with Pembrolizumab, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumours.

Summary: The purpose of this study is to investigate the study drug, OKN4395, administered alone and in combination with pembrolizumab. The overall objectives of this study are to determine the safety and tolerability (degree to which side effects of a drug can be tolerated) of OKN4395 alone and in combination with pembrolizumab, OKN4395 and metabolites (broken-down substances) of OKN4395 levels in the blo...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: June 17, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Baas P, Hassan R, Nowak AK, Rice D. Malignant mesothelioma. In: Pass HI, Ball D, Scagliotti GV, eds. IASLC Thoracic Oncology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 53.

Davies HE, Sterman D, Gary Lee YC. Pleural malignancy. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 114.

McCool FD. Diseases of the diaphragm, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 86.

National Cancer Institute website. Malignant mesothelioma treatment (adult) (PDQ) -- Health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/mesothelioma/hp/mesothelioma-treatment-pdq. Updated April 24, 2024. Accessed July 8, 2024.