Mesothelioma - Information

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Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?
How is mesothelioma treated?
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
How common is mesothelioma?
What is mesothelioma?
What is the mesothelium?
Selecting Your Mesothelioma Attorney or Law Firm

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. 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. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Resources

Lung Cancer News From Medical News Today

Smokeless Tobacco Can Also Increase Cancer Risk

A review published in The Lancet Oncology finds that although users of smokeless tobacco products (STPs) likely have a lower cancer risk than smokers, they are still increasing their risk of developing several types of cancer. In the USA and Sweden, a finely cut or powered, flavored tobacco called moist snuff is the most popular form of STP used. In places like India, there is a wide range of products that are regularly consumed.

Smoke-Free Policies Are Achieving Intended Goals

A new article published in The Lancet Oncology claims that the recent smoke-free policy initiatives have resulted in numerous public health gains. The special report from the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) reveals that the policies have been instrumental in reducing heart disease related to smoke exposure, diminishing the number of adults who smoke, and curbing second-hand smoke exposure to adults and children.

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation Shows Promise In The Treatment Of Lung Tumours

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation - a minimally invasive treatment technique that heats and destroys cancer cells - achieves a high rate of sustained complete responses in selected patients with lung tumours, according to results from the first prospective study of patients treated with technique. Tumours in the lungs are common. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women.

Faulty DNA Repair May Increase Lung Cancer Risk In Nonsmokers

People who have never smoked but whose cells cannot efficiently repair environmental insults to DNA are at higher risk of developing lung cancer than those with effective genomic repair capability, according to researchers from the Department of Epidemiology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. "About 15 percent of lung cancers occur in lifetime never smokers.

One Step Closer To Tailored Treatment For Lung Cancer

A major study released in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has shown that doctors could increase the survival of patients with a specific type of lung cancer to over 12 months, if they match choice of chemotherapy with the type of tissue in a patient's tumour. Mick Peake, Lung Cancer Specialist and Chair of the Clinical Reference Group for the UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC) commented, "This is a very important opportunity to re-assess how we treat people with NSCLC.