Mesothelioma - FAQ's and Facts

Mesothelioma - FAQ's and Facts
By Frederick Schenk

If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, you may still learning about this cancer, and what the diagnosis means for you and your family. Here the most frequently asked questions and answers about mesothelioma

What is mesothelioma? It's a rare type of cancer, accounting for only 1% of all cancer diagnoses that grows in the mesothelium, the thin membrane that lines the chest and abdominal cavity, and covers the organs within each of these cavities.
What causes mesothelioma? Almost all cases of mesothelioma are linked to asbestos exposure. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked in asbestos-related industries such as pipe-fitting, manufacture of brakes, and shipbuilding.
How does asbestos cause mesothelioma? When asbestos is handled, tiny asbestos fibers, thinner than a human hair, break off and become airborne. If the workplace is not appropriately ventilated, workers inhale the fibers. Inhaled asbestos fibers work their way into the chest cavity or the abdominal cavity, and lodge in the mesothelium.

How long does it take to develop mesothelioma? The disease progresses slowly; symptoms may not appear for 15 years, sometimes for as long as 40 years after the exposure. The membrane thickens into a hard, inflexible rind, forming bumps and nodules. The enlarging cancerous tissue produces large amounts of fluid that crowds the chest or abdominal cavity, and the cancer itself compresses nearby organs
Why does mesothelioma take so long to be diagnosed? The mesothelium thickens very slowly, and until it becomes so thick that it presses against the chest or abdominal wall, or its fluids begin to leak, the victim has no symptoms. Only when it has grown large enough to press on vital organs and to leak fluid into the chest or abdominal cavity does the victim begin to experience symptoms such as severe chest pain, shortness of breath, and constant fatigue. By the time symptoms are troublesome enough for a victim to seek medical attention the disease may have progressed so far that the life expectancy will be measured in months.
Does mesothelioma always show up in the lungs? About 80% of mesothelioma cases occur in the lungs, where it's called pleural mesothelioma. The other 20% of mesothelioma cases are peritoneal, occurring in the abdominal cavity.

Is there treatment for mesothelioma? Current treatments involve chemotherapy and radiation, and surgical removal of some of the tumor mass to reduce discomfort. Researchers are investigating new therapies which may have greater potential to slow the development of tumors, and biological markers which may lead to earlier diagnosis.

If you believe that your mesothelioma developed as a result of workplace exposure to asbestos, you may have a legal claim against the corporation that permitted the exposure, or the manufacturer of the asbestos product.