Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the lining around the lungs (the “pleura”), abdomen (the “peritoneum”) or heart (the “pericardium”). In contrast, lung cancer refers to a malignancy of the lung itself. And, unlike lung cancer, which may have other causes as well as asbestos exposure, mesothelioma is virtually always the result of exposure to asbestos. It generally does not appear until decades after the asbestos exposure.
Currently, as many as 3,000 people will be diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, and that number is only expected to increase in conjunction with the widespread use of asbestos throughout the last century. There is no cure for mesothelioma, but that does not mean that something cannot be done to prevent the spread of this cancer. By identifying symptoms early, life expectancy can be increased, creating a better quality of life for patients and their loved ones.
There are two major cell types of mesothelioma, epithelial and sarcomatoid. Sometimes both of these cell types can be present. The sarcomatoid type is rarer and occurs in only about 15% of cases; it portends a poorer prognosis. In very rare cases, mesothelioma can originate from benign, non-malignant cells. This so-called benign mesothelioma can be cured surgically.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
A patient with mesothelioma typically demonstrates symptoms between 20 and 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. The cancer can take decades to develop and symptoms do not arise until after the cancer is present. Many patients are unaware of the severity of their condition because mesothelioma symptoms often resemble those of less serious illnesses.When symptoms do appear, it may still be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma, as the symptoms often mimic other diseases like asbestosis, as well as typical respiratory illnesses and even the common cold. . Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion) are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.
The symptoms vary according to the type of mesothelioma. Those with pleural mesothelioma often exhibit persistent coughing, chest pains, shortness of breath, fatigue and lumps on the chest, under the skin. Those with the peritoneal type may experience abdominal pain, weight loss and nausea. Pericardial mesothelioma causes irregular heartbeats, palpitations, breathing difficulties, chest pain and night sweats. Testicular mesothelioma causes lumps on the testicles that may or may not be painful.
Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma symptoms rarely arise at an early stage, which is why the disease is commonly diagnosed at a late stage of development. In the interest of early detection, those who were exposed to asbestos but have not yet exhibited symptoms should undergo regular chest X-rays or pulmonary function tests to monitor any signs of asbestos inhalation.The early symptoms of mesothelioma are generally non-specific, and may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, pleural mesothelioma patients may present with shortness of breath, chest pain and/or persistent cough; some patients show no symptoms at all. A chest x-ray may show a build-up of fluid or pleural effusion (discussed below). The right lung is affected 60% of the time, with involvement of both lungs being seen in approximately 5% of patients at the time of diagnosis. Less common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include fever, night sweats and weight loss. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include pain or swelling in the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid, nausea, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia or swelling of the feet.
Pleural Effusion
Types of Pleural Effusion
Pleural effusion is broken down into two categories, transudates and exudates. A transudate is a clear fluid that forms not because the pleural surfaces are diseased, but because of an imbalance between the normal production and removal of the fluid. The most common cause of transudative fluid is congestive heart failure. An exudate, which is often cloudy and contains many cells and proteins, results from disease of the pleura itself, and is common to mesothelioma. To determine whether a fluid is a transudate or exudate, a diagnostic thoracentesis, in which a needle or catheter is used to obtain a fluid sample, may be conducted.Symptoms
As the volume of fluid increases, shortness of breath, known as "dyspnea", and sometimes pain, ranging from mild to stabbing, may occur. Some patients may experience a dry cough. When the doctor listens to the patient’s chest with a stethoscope, normal breath sounds are muted, and tapping on the chest will reveal dull rather than hollow sounds.Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the cancer, comprising approximately two-thirds of all mesothelioma cases. Known symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
1) Chest wall pain
2) Pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
3) Fatigue or anemia
4) Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
5) Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
6) Persistent dry or raspy cough Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
7) Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
8) Night sweats or fever
9) Unexplained weight loss of 10 percent or more
10) Persistent pain in the chest or rib area, or painful breathing
11) Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that occurs even when at rest
12) The appearance of lumps under the skin on the chest
Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
1) Abdominal pain
2) Ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
3) A mass in the abdomen
4) Problems with bowel function
5) Weight loss
In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:a) Blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
b) Disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
c) Jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
d) Low blood sugar level
e) Pleural effusion
f) Pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
g) Severe ascites
A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.Pericardial mesothelioma accounts for less than 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Symptoms are caused by thickening of the pericardial membrane and fluid buildup. Symptoms of this form of mesothelioma are known to include:
1) Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
2) Chest pain
3) Difficulty breathing, even when resting (dyspnea)
4) Fever or night sweats
5) Generalized fatigue
Pericardial mesothelioma is so rare that the recognized body of symptoms is not as well-developed as with more common types of mesothelioma. It is a particularly difficult type of mesothelioma to diagnose and this correlates to a poor prognosis among pericardial mesothelioma patients.Testicular mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of cancer, as less than 100 cases of testicular mesothelioma have been recorded in the last 60 years. With so few cases recorded, very little is known about the symptoms of this disease. The only known symptom of testicular mesothelioma is the appearance of testicular lumps and the lumps may or may not be painful.
Increased risk for developing mesothelioma
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.
There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.
There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
New Treatments for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is very hard to control; the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.
LATEST MESOTHELIOMA NEWS
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is an independent global organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy and community.The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), combining education, advocacy and community as the leading U.S. organization serving as the voice of asbestos victims, today applauds Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and cosponsors for introducing a resolution that declares the first week of April as "National Asbestos Awareness Week" and seeks to "raise public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure."
Additional cosponsors and key supporters include: Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senator Harry Reid (D-NV),and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT).
"Asbestos Awareness Week is a rallying cry to keep the tragedy of Libby from happening again. It’s also an opportunity to remind people that much more work lies ahead to help victims of asbestos-related diseases," said Baucus, who was instrumental in urging the EPA to declare its first ever public health emergency in Libby. "Although we can never fully right the outrageous wrong that took place in Libby, we can fight to make sure the community has the tools it needs to heal. And, we can keep working hard to make sure the public is aware of the tragic impact of asbestos exposure."
"ADAO applauds the U.S. Senate for its introduction of the Seventh Annual Resolution recognizing National Asbestos Awareness Week," said Linda Reinstein, President and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. "It is only through continued awareness that we can succeed in our efforts to ban asbestos both in the US and globally. Our leadership continues to set an important example through this yearly initiative. We have witnessed pivotal change as doctors, scientists, governmental bodies, educators and asbestos victims come together to share information that has the power to save lives. We look forward to continued progress and each year we get closer to a future without asbestos."
Asbestos is a known human carcinogen and exposure can cause asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Studies estimate that during the next decade, 107,000 workers around the world will die of an asbestos related disease – equaling 300 deaths per day.
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