What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma are tumors that surround the mesothelium, a type of tissue that makes up the lining of cavities or hollows that protect and surround certain organs, including:
- The pleura, which surrounds your lungs (pleural mesothelioma)
- The peritoneum, which surrounds the organs of your abdomen and pelvic area (peritoneal mesothelioma)
- The pericardium, which surrounds your heart (pericardial mesothelioma)
- The tunica vaginalis, which surrounds your testicles (mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis testis)
Mesothelioma can be cancerous (malignant mesothelioma) or non-cancerous (benign mesothelioma).
What causes mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral used in many industries, including construction, mining, milling, mechanics and more.
What are symptoms of mesothelioma?
Some people with mesothelioma do not experience symptoms, and some experience different symptoms depending on the type they have. Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Weakness
- Unintended weight loss
- A general feeling of being unwell
Pleural mesothelioma
- Shortness of breath that comes on slowly and gets worse overtime
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lumps in the chest area
- Fluid on the lungs
Peritoneal mesothelioma
- Abdominal pain
- Anemia
- Abnormal fluid collection
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite and loss of weight
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blockage in the small intestine
Pericardial mesothelioma
- Low blood pressure
- Abnormal heart rhythm patterns
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
Mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis testis
- Lump in the scrotum
- Inguinal hernia
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Your provider will perform an examination and review your current symptoms. They may also order certain tests, which can include:
- Blood tests
- Lung function tests
- Imaging tests
- Biopsy
What are treatment options for mesothelioma?
Treatment will depend on what type of mesothelioma you have. For benign mesothelioma tumors, your provider will remove them in a surgical procedure as they do not spread to other parts of your body. In some cases, you may require chemotherapy to prevent it from coming back.
With malignant mesothelioma, your provider will first stage the tumor to assess how far the disease has progressed. From there, treatment options typically include:
- Surgery with or without chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
What is the outlook for mesothelioma?
The best way to prevent mesothelioma is to avoid asbestos and other harmful dusts and minerals. If you have to be around asbestos, take precautions with protective masks and clothing.
Benign mesothelioma isn’t fatal. However, malignant mesothelioma may be. If you are someone who used to work with asbestos and you have trouble breathing, contact your healthcare provider.