Mesothelioma is cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is the thin layer of tissue that covers nearly all your internal organs. This cancer is highly aggressive and usually develops in the mesothelium that surrounds the lungs, abdomen, and/or heart.
There is no cure for mesothelioma. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to reduce your symptoms and make you feel as comfortable as possible. Knowing what causes mesothelioma can help you take the right steps to reduce your risk for this cancer and stay healthy and safe.
Causes of Mesothelioma
Exposure to asbestos is thought to be the primary cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group of six minerals that are found in the natural environment. These minerals are composed of very thin fibers that are resistant to heat and chemicals. Due to these characteristics, asbestos is widely used in products such as building materials, brake parts in vehicles, and certain types of fabrics.
The tiny fibers in asbestos can become airborne, especially when products that contain asbestos degrade or are broken apart. If you inhale or swallow asbestos particles, they can permanently stick in your lungs and digestive tract, affecting these and other organs. Over time, these asbestos fibers can lead to the development of mesothelioma.
Anyone who is exposed to asbestos can get mesothelioma. Factors that can increase your risk for this cancer include:
- Direct exposure to asbestos at work or home
- Living with someone who works around asbestos
- Working in places like construction sites, mines, or shipyards where there is lots of asbestos
- Having received radiation therapy for cancer in the chest
- Family history of mesothelioma
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma will depend mainly on the part of your body being affected by this cancer.
Mesothelioma that affects the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) may cause symptoms including:
- Painful cough
- Chest pain and discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Lumps under the skin on your chest
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lower back pain
- Sweating
- Fever
Mesothelioma that affects your abdominal area (peritoneal mesothelioma) may cause symptoms including:
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lumps in the abdomen
- Fatigue
Mesothelioma that affects the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) may cause symptoms including:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Low blood pressure
- Heart palpitations
- Fluid retention
- Fatigue, usually after light exertion
Diagnosing Mesothelioma
A physical exam and biopsy are the most common methods used to diagnose mesothelioma. During the physical exam, your doctor may check for lumps and swelling in your chest and abdominal regions. A biopsy entails taking a small sample of tissue from the area in which your doctor suspects you may have cancer.
Other diagnostic tests you may have to determine the severity of your cancer include MRI, CT scan, PET scan, X-ray, and blood tests.
Treatments for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can be treated using one or a variety of therapies, depending on its stage and location. Receiving treatment for mesothelioma can improve your symptoms and quality of life and extend your life expectancy despite the aggressiveness of this particular cancer.
Surgery
Surgery is usually performed during early-stage mesothelioma to remove all or part of the tumor or cancer. For instance, if you have pleural mesothelioma affecting the lungs, your doctor may perform surgery to remove fluid buildup in the chest, cancerous tissue surrounding the lungs, or an entire lung. Many times, surgery for mesothelioma can reduce your symptoms.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can shrink the tumor and delay its progress. The drugs used in chemotherapy may also destroy cancer cells. This treatment may be used when surgery cannot be performed or before surgery to shrink tumors and make them easier to remove.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. This treatment often helps reduce symptoms of mesothelioma that cannot be treated with surgery.
Targeted Therapy
In targeted therapy for mesothelioma, drugs attack specific components of cancer cells. For instance, bevacizumab is a drug that targets a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that allows tumors to form new blood vessels. This medication may be combined with others to treat pleural mesothelioma that cannot be treated with surgery.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses drugs that can stimulate your immune system to effectively target and destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy for mesothelioma uses immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are drugs that target specific proteins in immune cells that are keeping cancer alive. Pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab are all checkpoint inhibitors used to treat mesothelioma.
Preventing Mesothelioma
The best way to reduce your risk for mesothelioma is to avoid asbestos exposure or follow safety regulations if you work around asbestos. This may include wearing protective equipment like gloves, eye goggles, and respirators and changing out of your work clothes before coming home.
Before moving into a new home, consult with a home inspector or another expert who is trained to identify and detect asbestos. If you live in a home with asbestos, hire someone qualified and experienced in asbestos removal and its replacement with another safer material.
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have been exposed to asbestos and think you may have mesothelioma. Early detection and treatment are essential to reducing your symptoms and improving your outcome.