Mesothelioma - malignant
Malignant mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon cancerous tumor of
the lining of the lung and chest cavity (pleura) or lining of
the abdomen (peritoneum) that is typically due to long-term
asbestos exposure.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Long-term exposure to asbestos -- a fire-resistant material
-- is the biggest risk factor. Asbestos was once commonly
found in insulation, ceiling and roofing vinyls, cement, and
automotive brake materials. Although many asbestos workers
smoked, experts do not believe smoking itself is a cause of
this condition.
Malignant mesothelioma affects men more often than women.
The average age at diagnosis is 60.
Symptoms
Symptoms may not appear until 20 - 50 years or longer after
exposure to asbestos, and may include:
Signs and tests
Mesotheliomas are often hard to diagnose under the
microscope. It can be hard to distinguish between this
disease and similar conditions and tumors.
Treatment
Malignant mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat.
There is usually no cure, unless the disease is found
extremely early and the tumor can be completely removed with
surgery. However, most of the time at diagnosis, the disease
is too advanced for surgery. Chemotherapy or radiation may
be used to reduce symptoms. Combining certain chemotherapy
drugs may help decrease symptoms, but it will not cure the
cancer.
Untreated, the average malignant mesothelioma patient
survives 9 months.
Consider participating in a clinical trial (test of new
treatments), which may give you more treatment options.
Pain relief, oxygen, and other supportive treatments may
also help relieve symptoms.
Support Groups
You can ease the stress of
illness by joining a support group where members share
common experiences and problems.
See:
Expectations (prognosis)
The average survival time varies from 4 - 18 months.
However, your outlook depends on:
-
The stage of the tumor
-
Your age and general health
-
Whether surgery is an option
-
Your response to treatment
Complications
The tumor can quickly spread to other organs.
Calling your health care provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if
you have symptoms of malignant mesothelioma.
Prevention
Avoid exposure to asbestos.
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