Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity, abdominal cavity or lungs. In other words, if a cancerous tumor develops in the mesothelium, the cancer is considered malignant mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Workers who have a high risk of developing this disease include those working in the following industries:

• Steel
• Mining
• Plumbing
• Milling
• Insulation
• Electric

The chance of developing mesothelioma increases with the intensity and frequency of the asbestos exposure. However, there have been instances where mesothelioma develops after only a few months of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos fibers can cling to a worker's skin, hair or clothes, putting family members at risk if these toxic fibers are brought home. Family members of people regularly exposed to high asbestos levels also have an increased chance of developing malignant mesothelioma.

The three main types of malignant mesothelioma are:

• Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type, which develops in the lining covering the lungs.
• Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the perdicardium or lining surrounding the heart.
• Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the tissue of the abdominal cavity.

Mesothelioma is also broken down into cell types, which include epithelial, sarcomatoid, or mixed.

Malignant mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after the first asbestos exposure. Some common malignant mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and extreme weight loss.

All mesotheliomas are considered malignant, or cancerous. Mesothelioma begins as a localized tumor and spreads quickly to surrounding organs and tissues. Most cases of malignant mesothelioma are linked with asbestos exposure.

If mesothelioma is diagnosed early, surgery may be able to extract the majority of the cancerous tissue. If the cancer is not detected early, it can spread quickly to other organs. During advanced stages of mesothelioma, chemotherapy treatment and radiation can help to minimize symptoms.

Forms of mesothelioma treatment include radiation, chemotherapy, surgery and experimental methods such as immunotherapy. Before choosing a treatment plan, patients are strongly advised to learn about all options and to discuss them with their family and doctor.

Chemotherapy uses drugs that kill cancerous cells. Chemotherapy drugs can increase the effects of immunotherapy or radiation. It can also destroy cancer that returns or spreads to other areas of the body. Radiation attacks cancerous cells and prevents them from dividing. It may also reduce mesothelioma symptoms.

Two types of surgery that are used in mesothelioma patients include palliative surgery and curative surgery. Palliative surgery alleviates pain and symptoms, such as shortness of breath or fluid buildup. Curative surgery aims to slow or stop the disease and extend the patient's life. The most aggressive form of curative surgery in mesothelioma patients is extrapleural pneumonectomy, which removes the affected lung, diaphragm, pericardium or pleural lining.