Mesothelioma: What Is Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer?

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer that develops in the linings of the lungs, abdomen, heart or testes. The only known cause of malignant mesothelioma is asbestos, though there are other potential risk factors. Due to a long latency period, symptoms may take 10 – 50 years to develop after exposure.

According to the most recent data, around 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. The average life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is 12 – 21 months, but will vary based on tumor location, cell type, staging, and patient characteristics. Currently, there is no cure for cancer, but surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and clinical trials can improve patient prognosis.

Mesothelioma Causes

The only known cause of malignant mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. When asbestos is disturbed, microscopic fibers are released into the air and inhaled or ingested. Fibers can then lodge themselves into the lining of organs, including the lungs, heart, abdomen, and testes, causing inflammation and leading to the development of mesothelioma. Though asbestos use has declined, it was used frequently prior to the 1980s and is still not fully banned, continuing to put people at risk.

Research studies have shown that there may be other causes of mesothelioma, though none of them have been proven, including zeolites, radiation exposure, simian virus 40 and high aspect ratio nanoparticles.

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma type is determined by tumor location. Mesothelioma cancer develops in the linings of certain organs or spaces within the body, known as the mesothelium.

There are four primary types of mesothelioma, including malignant pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma, and testicular mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma involves tumors within the pleura (lung linings). Peritoneal tumors develop in the peritoneum (abdominal linings), while pericardial tumors develop within the pericardium (heart linings), and testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis testis (testes linings). Pleural mesothelioma is the most common, followed by peritoneal, pericardial and testicular mesothelioma.

Diagnosing Mesothelioma Symptoms

Malignant mesothelioma has a long latency period of 10 – 50 years, meaning it can take decades for symptoms to emerge after exposure to asbestos, the only known cause of mesothelioma. When disturbed, asbestos fibers are inhaled and become lodged in the linings of organs, leading to development of the cancer.

Mesothelioma symptoms are nonspecific and often mimic other more common diseases, frequently leading to delays in diagnosis. Symptoms may vary for mesothelioma patients based on type, cell type and staging, however, there are common symptoms that patients and physicians can look out for

The best way to improve mesothelioma prognosis is through early detection. Patients who exhibit mesothelioma symptoms should seek medical care immediately to begin the diagnostic process. A mesothelioma diagnosis typically involves the following:

• Imaging scans: X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, PET scans and ultrasounds are used to look for tumors and abnormalities.
• Blood tests and biomarkers: Various blood tests may be able to detect certain biomarkers in the blood that suggest the presence of mesothelioma, show mesothelioma symptoms or reveal a history of asbestos exposure.
• Biopsies: A biopsy is the only definitive way to diagnose mesothelioma, as a tissue or fluid sample is taken to determine malignancy, cancer type, cell type and staging through a study known as pathology.