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.
Mesothelioma - malignant; Malignant pleura mesothelioma (MPM)
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.
Symptoms may not appear until 20 to 40 years or longer after exposure to asbestos, and may include:
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 drugs 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.
Janakiraman Subramanian is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Subramanian has been practicing medicine for over 23 years and is rated as an Advanced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Mesothelioma. He is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are EGFR Positive Lung Cancer, Large-Cell Lung Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Subramanian is currently accepting new patients.
Elad Sharon is an Oncologist in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Dr. Sharon has been practicing medicine for over 20 years and is rated as an Advanced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Mesothelioma. He is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Melanoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Mesothelioma, and Lung Cancer.
Frederick Barr is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Dr. Barr and is rated as an Advanced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Mesothelioma. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Urothelial Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Mesothelioma, and Thrombocytopenia. Dr. Barr is currently accepting new patients.
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.
The survival time varies greatly from several months to several years. Outlook depends on:
You and your family may want to start thinking about end-of-life planning, such as:
Complications of malignant mesothelioma may include:
Call for an appointment with your provider if you have symptoms of malignant mesothelioma.
Avoid exposure to asbestos.
Background: Cancers that spread into the thin tissue lining your lungs (pleura) cause serious illness. They often recur when removed. These tumors include malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), caused by exposure to asbestos and related fibers. Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are caused when cancers in other parts of the body spread to the lungs and pleura. Many people diagnosed with pleural tumors survive ...
Summary: This is a Phase 1 dose-escalation study of PRT3645, a Cyclin-dependent Kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor, in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety, tolerability, dose limiting toxicity, and to determine maximally tolerated dose and recommended phase 2 dose to be used in subsequent development of PRT3645.
Published Date: April 29, 2022
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.
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, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 92.
National Cancer Institute website. Malignant mesothelioma treatment (adult) (PDQ) -- Health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/mesothelioma/hp/mesothelioma-treatment-pdq. Updated January 14, 2022. Accessed June 24, 2022.