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How did I get Mesothelioma?
Microscopic asbestos fibers are breathed in or swallowed, and the human body has
difficulty destroying or getting rid of them. Over decades, fibers cause biological
changes that result in inflammation, scarring and genetic damage. The most
susceptible area to these fibers is the lining of the lungs, called the pleura, although
fibers also can become trapped in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).
Once fibers cause biological damage, the stage is set for the decades-long latency
period for the development of malignant mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, though cases have been
documented in children or other individuals with no asbestos history. Asbestos is a
microscopic and naturally occurring mineral that lodges in the pleural lining of the lungs and
the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. In most cases, several years will pass (up to
60) before mesothelioma develops in those who had been exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma can be a difficult malignancy to diagnose because the symptoms of the
disease closely resemble other respiratory conditions, and because the pathology can be
very difficult to distinguish from adenocarcinoma of the lung. For this reason,
misdiagnosis is not uncommon in mesothelioma patients. Symptoms of mesothelioma
include chest pain, chronic cough, effusions of the chest and abdomen, and the presence of
blood in lung fluid.
While mesothelioma is typically advanced at diagnosis, treatment options are available.
Mesothelioma, while certainly an aggressive disease, is a manageable malignancy. While
there is no cure for the cancer, mesothelioma treatment options may potentially include
surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. A combination of Alimta® and Cisplatin is
currently the only FDA approved chemotherapy regimen, though several clinical trials are
currently in progress utilizing other drugs including Gemcitabine and Onconase, that may
lead to new treatment options that provide a benefit for patients.
Diagnostic surgeries, including a biopsy, will typically be required to determine the type of
malignant cells that are present in the body. Typically a body imaging scan, including a
magnetic resonance image (MRI), computer topography (CT scan), and/or positron emission
tomography (PET), will be required to determine the extent and location of the disease.
Radiation therapy is also utilized, but typically in conjunction with other treatment methods
like surgery and chemotherapy. Surgical resection of mesothelioma is possible in early-
stage-diagnosed patients. Diagnostic and palliative procedures such as thoracentesis and
pleurodesis are also commonly performed in patients with malignant mesothelioma in order
to minimize cancer-related symptoms.
Alternative therapies have also been used effectively by many mesothelioma patients to
assist in managing symptoms of the disease and conventional treatments.
