Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which develops in the cells in the linings of certain parts of the body, particularly the chest and abdomen. These cells, called mesothelial cells, line the inside of the chest, abdomen, and space around the heart, forming what is known as the mesothelium. The mesothelium helps protect organs by producing a lubricating fluid which helps them move around and expand, preventing damage and allowing for the expansion needed during normal respiration.

Unfortunately, when asbestos fibers enter the body, they can become trapped in this tissue surrounding organs. Eventually, their presence can lead to the development of a cancer known as mesothelioma. Although a cancerous tumor of the mesothelium is technically known as malignant mesothelioma, this cancer is generally known as simply mesothelioma.  Mesothelioma develops in four main areas of the body:

• Pleural mesothelioma begins in the chest and accounts for about 75 percent of all cases of this cancer.
• Peritoneal mesothelioma appears in the abdominal area and makes up the majority of the remaining cases.
• Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the tissue surrounding the heart and is rare.
• Testicular mesothelioma, or mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis, is an extremely rare tumor which develops in the covering of the testicles.

Incidence of Diagnosis

Somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 U.S. citizens are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. These numbers, although small, are expected to increase in the future.

Age of Incidence

The majority of diagnoses of mesothelioma are made in men, from 50 to 70 years of age.

Gender and Race

The cancer occurs more often in men than women due to the fact that the majority of asbestos exposure occurs at industrial sites. It is expected, however, that the diagnoses in women will increase due to secondary asbestos exposure. The cancer is also less common in African Americans for reasons which are not known.

Patient Survival Rates

Because mesothelioma is rarely able to be diagnosed during its early stages, it is rare for a favorable prognosis. The life expectancy of a patient strongly depends on the treatments that the patient is able to receive. During the early stages, surgery can often be performed to remove the cancer. With the increase in available treatments, it is hoped that the prognoses will improve.

Mesothelioma Disease

Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, attacks the mesothelium of tissues and is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Latency Period

There is usually a period of several decades between the initial asbestos exposure and the onset of symptoms. During this time, the tissue becomes inflamed leading to malignant mesothelioma.

Remission

Mesothelioma, which is highly aggressive, often spreads from its point of origin into other areas such as the lymph nodes, the chest, or abdominal cavity. Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery may be helpful in extending a patient’s life expectancy if the cancer is caught at an early stage.

Mesothelioma Cure

Today, no cure exists for mesothelioma. However, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, as well as other alternative cancer therapies have proven useful in the treatment of the illness when the mesothelioma is caught early.

Mesothelioma Survivors

Some patients have survived past their expected life expectancy through the use of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation as well as altered diets and the reduction of stress.

Survival Rate

The survival rate for mesothelioma is very low due to the lack of cure and late diagnoses. The use of therapies in an aggressive manner can result in a more positive prognosis. One such therapy is extra-pleural pneumonectomy.

Life Expectancy

The prognosis for patients with mesothelioma relies on a variety of factors such as the overall health and age of the patient, the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis, as well as the receptivity of the patient to treatment.

Mesothelioma Prevention

The only known cause for mesothelioma is the inhalation of asbestos fibers that were frequently used in insulation. Besides the avoidance of asbestos, prevention of the disease is being researched in the form of a vaccine which would provide the body with anti-mesothelioma anti-bodies.

Adult Mesothelioma

Adults over the age of 40 are the most common victims of mesothelioma.

Child Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is very rare in children although it has been known to occur.

Mesothelioma and Women

Women with mesothelioma were typically exposed to secondhand asbestos while washing the work clothing of their husbands.

Mesothelioma Vaccine

The use of mesothelioma anti-bodies in vaccines is hoped to prevent the occurrence of the disease in those exposed to asbestos.

Reference:

American Cancer Society