FOLLOWING DIAGNOSIS
When diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is most important to find a specialist experienced in the treatment of mesothelioma.
Not all mesotheliomas are the same, and not all physicians have a track record with all types. Knowing who to turn to can make a big difference for that patient’s outcome. Although currently there are only two FDA-approved treatments for mesothelioma, there are a number of clinical trials open to mesothelioma patients. Our experts can help you make sense of your situation, identify the right specialists for you, and direct you to clinical trials that apply to you.
About Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the smooth lining of the chest, lungs, heart, and abdomen. The thin layer of tissue surrounding these organs is made up of mesothelial cells, hence the name mesothelioma. As the cancer progresses, the lining thickens, progressively invading and impairing the function of the organs it surrounds. Learn more here.
Malignant mesothelioma is organized into four main categories based on the location of the tumor:
- Pleural mesothelioma – found in the chest cavity, on the surface of the lung and on the diaphragm,
- Peritoneal mesothelioma – found in the abdomen on the surface of the omentum and visceral organs,
- Pericardial mesothelioma – growing on the exterior surface of the pericardium, or lining of the heart
- Tunica vaginalis mesothelioma – noted as a thickening of the ducts and glands in the testes. Learn more here.
Mesothelioma Causes and Development
Mesothelioma is known to be caused by exposure to asbestos. The CDC reports that despite regulatory actions to decrease the use of asbestos and subsequent exposures, the annual number of mesothelioma patients has increased by nearly 5% from 1999 to 2015. There is an established history of asbestos exposure in the U.S. military, and approximately one third of mesothelioma cases have been shown to involve exposures to Navy personnel or civilian workers in Naval shipyards. Learn more here.
Who is at risk?
The process of developing mesothelioma from asbestos exposure is a long one. Furthermore, while the development of mesothelioma correlates with asbestos exposure, such exposure isn’t an absolute indicator of who will get the tumor and who won’t. Learn more here.
Symptoms
As the tumor grows and expands, it often produces fluid that fills the chest or the abdomen, depending upon whether it is pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Based on the location of the disease, symptoms of mesothelioma can vary, causing different reactions for different patients. Learn more here.
Mesothelioma Staging and Outcomes
Assuming a diagnosis of mesothelioma is confirmed, staging of the disease remains extremely difficult and is an obstacle to effective treatment. Mesothelioma staging techniques require knowledge about where the tumor is located, how extensive it is and whether it is still locally contained or whether it has metastasized to organs or adjacent tissues. Learn more here.
