Mesothelioma Overview
Learn About 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.
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:
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain, especially when taking a deep breath
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Fever and sweating
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.
MD Anderson
Anne Tsao is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Tsao 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.
Harvey Pass is a Thoracic Surgeon in New York, New York. Dr. Pass is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesothelioma. His top areas of expertise are Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Lung Nodules, Advanced Bronchoscopy, and Thymectomy.
MD Anderson
David Rice is a Thoracic Surgeon in League City, Texas. Dr. Rice 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.
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. 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
Complications of malignant mesothelioma may include:
- Side effects of chemotherapy or radiation
- Continued spread of cancer to other organs
Make an appointment with your provider if you have symptoms of malignant mesothelioma.
Avoid exposure to asbestos.
Summary: This clinical trial is studying advanced solid tumors. Solid tumors are cancers that start in a part of your body like your lungs or liver instead of your blood. Once tumors have grown bigger in one place but haven't spread, they're called locally advanced. If your cancer has spread to other parts of your body, it's called metastatic. When a cancer has gotten so big it can't easily be removed or h...
Background: Fibroblast-activation protein (FAP) is an enzyme that appears in high numbers in cancer-associated fibroblasts of certain cancer types. \[18F\]FAPI-74 is a new PET (positron emission tomography) tracer, a substance that is injected into a person s body before an imaging scan. Researchers believe that \[18F\]FAPI-74 PET imaging may be able to visualize cancer more effectively than the approved trac...
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.
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.