Mesothelioma
What is it?
Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds the organs in the body such as the tissue that surrounds the lungs, the sac around the heart and the tissue in the abdomen.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and is almost always a result from a person's exposure to asbestos. Most commonly exposure to asbestos is a result of being around the following things that may contain asbestos.
- insulation
- brakes
- shingles
- flooring
Tell me more.
Men between the ages of 45-85 are most at risk to developing mesothelioma.
In general the cancer is agressive and for many, treatment can't fully get rid of the cancer.
Are there different types? yes.
There are three main types of mesothelioma called
- epithelioid
- sarcomatoid
- biphasic or mixed
The majority of cases (around 60-70%) are epitherlioid, where as sarcomatoid and biphasic or mixed make up around 10-15% each.
Mesothelioma classifications
Mesothelioma can also be classified by where in the body it starts, so if it starts in the tissue around the lungs (called the pleura), the cancer is referred to as pleural mesothelioma.
If the cancer is found in the abdomen, it will be referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma.
How can I see if I have it?
If you think that you may have mesothelioma, make it known to your doctor that you've been exposed to asbestos because symptoms of mesothelioma are very similar to other cancers, diseases and conditions.
Having a doctor who is experienced in mesothelioma cases is important in getting an early diagnosis to have a better chance with effective treatment.
First the doctor may do a physical exam to check for lumps or abnormalities. Then the doctor may perform imaging, such as a CT scan or an X-ray. If these findings are abnormal, the medical professional will consider doing a biopsy (a sample of tissue) to test for cancer.
The biopsy can be done in a couple ways by either inserting a needle through the skin and removing fluid or tissue, or collecting a tissue sample during an operation where a camera would be inserted with a tube to collect tissue around the chest or abdomen.
Treatment
Treatment for mesothelioma will depend on how advanced the cancer is, and unfortunately, most cases are found in more advanced stages in which the cancer has spread.
Surgery is used in early stages of mesothelioma by removing cancerous fluid and tissue in the area in which is has started. If the cancer is surrounding a lung, the doctor may choose to remove one of the lungs along with the surrounding tissue.
Chemotherapy is also an effective treatment for mesothelioma which may be used before surgery to minimise the cancerous cells or after to ensure all the cancer cells are gone.
Radiation is also considered after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells left in the body. Radiation might also be used in advanced cases to reduce the cancer when surgery isn't an option.
Other treatments can be used if other treatment hasn't worked including immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
Immunotherapy is used to help the immune system to fight of the cancer cells, whereas targeted therapy uses drugs that can identify the cancer cells and attack them, however this option will only be used based on DNA testing.
There are also clinical trials available to people with advanced cancer in which certain drugs are being tested for effectiveness. Ask your doctor about potential trials if other treatment isn't working.
What is it?
Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds the organs in the body such as the tissue that surrounds the lungs, the sac around the heart and the tissue in the abdomen.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and is almost always a result from a person's exposure to asbestos. Most commonly exposure to asbestos is a result of being around the following things that may contain asbestos.
- insulation
- brakes
- shingles
- flooring
Tell me more.
Men between the ages of 45-85 are most at risk to developing mesothelioma.
In general the cancer is agressive and for many, treatment can't fully get rid of the cancer.
Are there different types? yes.
There are three main types of mesothelioma called
- epithelioid
- sarcomatoid
- biphasic or mixed
The majority of cases (around 60-70%) are epitherlioid, where as sarcomatoid and biphasic or mixed make up around 10-15% each.
Mesothelioma classifications
Mesothelioma can also be classified by where in the body it starts, so if it starts in the tissue around the lungs (called the pleura), the cancer is referred to as pleural mesothelioma.
If the cancer is found in the abdomen, it will be referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma.
How can I see if I have it?
If you think that you may have mesothelioma, make it known to your doctor that you've been exposed to asbestos because symptoms of mesothelioma are very similar to other cancers, diseases and conditions.
Having a doctor who is experienced in mesothelioma cases is important in getting an early diagnosis to have a better chance with effective treatment.
First the doctor may do a physical exam to check for lumps or abnormalities. Then the doctor may perform imaging, such as a CT scan or an X-ray. If these findings are abnormal, the medical professional will consider doing a biopsy (a sample of tissue) to test for cancer.
The biopsy can be done in a couple ways by either inserting a needle through the skin and removing fluid or tissue, or collecting a tissue sample during an operation where a camera would be inserted with a tube to collect tissue around the chest or abdomen.
Treatment
Treatment for mesothelioma will depend on how advanced the cancer is, and unfortunately, most cases are found in more advanced stages in which the cancer has spread.
Surgery is used in early stages of mesothelioma by removing cancerous fluid and tissue in the area in which is has started. If the cancer is surrounding a lung, the doctor may choose to remove one of the lungs along with the surrounding tissue.
Chemotherapy is also an effective treatment for mesothelioma which may be used before surgery to minimise the cancerous cells or after to ensure all the cancer cells are gone.
Radiation is also considered after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells left in the body. Radiation might also be used in advanced cases to reduce the cancer when surgery isn't an option.
Other treatments can be used if other treatment hasn't worked including immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
Immunotherapy is used to help the immune system to fight of the cancer cells, whereas targeted therapy uses drugs that can identify the cancer cells and attack them, however this option will only be used based on DNA testing.
There are also clinical trials available to people with advanced cancer in which certain drugs are being tested for effectiveness. Ask your doctor about potential trials if other treatment isn't working.
Symptom list:
Mesothelioma
Financial support
Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.
p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.
Emotional support
Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!