Mesothelioma: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Prevention, early detection, and correct diagnosis are key factors in managing a malignant disease like Mesothelioma. And while it is comparatively rare in the US, it is still important to get up-to-speed and conduct regular check-ups.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a malignant disease and a type of cancer that originates in particular cells’ linings, commonly the chest and abdomen. When cells grow rapidly out of control, they turn into cancer. That translates into that cells in almost any part of the body can become cancer.

Now, the human body has a few very special kinds of cells (called Mesothelial) that run along the inside of your chest, heart, and abdomen. They also form the outermost layer of most of our internal organs. These cells form a lining called mesothelium.

The mesothelium’s function is to protect our organs when they move against each other. It releases a special lubricant that allows the organs to slide past easily instead of grinding against each other. The mesothelium has different names based on where it is located in the body:

Pleura: covers the lungs and chest.
Peritoneum: abdomen.
Pericardium: heart.
Tunica Vaginalis: testicles.

Asbestos

One major cause of mesothelioma is asbestos, a group of six minerals that occur naturally and are composed of heat-resisting fibers. Although asbestos is regulated now, it was used in many consumer products before its dangers became apparent. That is why it is so important to learn more about asbestos issues and to be aware of the dangers of its exposure.

The mineral is useful because of its resistant fibers to heat, electricity, and corrosion and was commonly used in the construction industry as an efficient insulator. However, it was later revealed that inhaling or ingesting asbestos dust particles permanently trapped the fibers in the body. Over multiple decades, this led to inflammation, scarring, and even genetic disorders, including mesothelioma (a rare and aggressive kind of cancer). With so many people now claiming compensation after finding out the dangers, there are now specialist lawyers dedicated to asbestos-related disease claims - fighting for damages for those affected.

Types

Now that we know what mesothelium is let’s discuss the types of mesothelioma. Remember that mesothelioma can occur in any of the linings associated with mesothelium. These tumors are either cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). Malignant mesothelioma, often called mesothelioma, can form in four main parts:

Pleural Mesotheliomas: forms in the area surrounding the chest and is the most common type (3 out of 4).
Peritoneal Mesotheliomas form in the abdomen and are most common after pleural mesotheliomas.
Pericardial Mesotheliomas: a rare kind that forms around the heart.
Mesotheliomas of the Tunica Vaginalis: another rare kind of tumor that forms in the testicles.

Malignant mesothelioma is further divided into three groups based on the shape of its cancer cells:

Epithelioid: more than fifty percent of mesotheliomas are epithelioid and usually have a comparatively better prognosis.
Sarcomatoid is arare kind (ten to twenty percent) with a fibrous shape.
Biphasic (Mixed): the other twenty to thirty percent is a combination of epithelioid and sarcomatoid shapes.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms can take anywhere between ten and fifty years to fully develop and emerge after a person is initially exposed to asbestos. Often, these symptoms are mistaken for other, less fatal, diseases which makes early detection nigh impossible. However, with ongoing research, newer techniques are being developed for early diagnosis. Here are a few symptoms associated with malignant mesothelioma:

Chest pain.
Abdominal pain.
Difficulty breathing.
A buildup of fluid.
Weakness.
High fever.
Night sweats.
Weight loss.

Causes and Prevention

As it is a rare and very aggressive kind of cancer, research is still ongoing for more efficient ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat mesothelioma. Early detection techniques are constantly being developed and studied for a better prognosis. But because it is so rare, research has been slow, with most scientists agreeing that clinical trials need to be considered for mesothelioma (any type or stage).

The reasoning behind that is people suffering from mesothelioma can get the best and the most up-to-date treatments in a clinical trial. And that’s why most of the treatments mentioned here are only available as part of a clinical trial. The role of asbestos was discussed previously as a major health concern, especially since we don’t know much about it. Research is being done on which fibers cause cancer and how much fatal exposure.

That said, mesothelioma is easy to treat with early detection and diagnosis. However since it is mostly detected later, scientists are developing early detection tests (called screening tests) using protein biomarkers of people suffering from mesothelioma to improve prognosis.

Treatment

Just like any other type of cancer, mesothelioma is difficult to treat. Doctors currently choose between, or even a combination of, surgery (Potentially Curative or Palliative), radiation therapy (EBRT or Brachytherapy), and chemotherapy. Some chemotherapy drugs slow down the growth of mesothelioma but only temporarily.

Some newer types of treatment are being developed in clinical trials that might offer other options for some patients:

Photodynamic Therapy: uses a light-activated drug injected through a vein that spreads in the body and connects with mesothelioma cells. A light tube is injected into the chest to “turn on” the drug and kill the cancer cells a few days later.
Targeted Therapy: To counter the side effects and limited duration of chemo drugs, researchers are developing targeted drugs that detect the difference between a cancerous and a healthy cell.
Immunotherapy: drugs developed through clinical trials to strengthen the immune system to fight cancer.
Alternating Electric Fields: research suggests that some types of cancer can be slowed down or stopped altogether by being exposed to alternating electric fields. Electrodes are placed on the chest/back and are attached to a battery pack to be worn throughout the day.
Gene Therapy: a treatment method in its early developmental stage that uses modified virus cells that cause an infection and attack the cancer cells.
Vaccine Therapy: another newer form of treatment that strengthens the immune system to attack the cancer cells. The modified “immune” cells, taken from a patient’s body, are given back, hoping that they will “react” to the tumor and destroy it.

Final Thoughts

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer with no known cure yet. So take it one day at a time and keep fighting. Some traditional treatment methods, like chemotherapy and surgery, are utilized to ease the pain, improve prognosis, and have side effects. New treatment methods are constantly being developed to find a cure. Research is ongoing on radiation therapy and vaccine therapy methods to eradicate this disease. But knowledge and prevention are always your best options. Learn as much about asbestos toxicity as possible and monitor for possible symptoms with routine checkups. But remember, don’t ever lose hope!