Mesothelioma Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis and Statistics

A Rare Cancer in the Thin Layer of Tissue Covering Organs

May 11, 2010
Sandra Blake

Mesothelioma, a Rare and Rapidly Spreading Cancer. - ktheory

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin layer of tissue which covers the internal organs. Treatment options are limited.

Mesothelioma rates have continued to increase over the past 20 years. However, it is still considered a rare form of cancer. Approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States yearly. Asbestos remains the major risk factor for developing mesothelioma and contributes for 70 to 80 percent of all cases.

Types of Mesothelioma

There are five types of mesothelioma. Four are malignant and the fifth type is benign mesothelioma, which is a non-cancerous condition.

Pleural Mesothelioma - develops in the pleura, the lining of the lungs. It is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma. 75% of cases are pleural mesothelioma.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma - develops in the peritoneal membrane, the lining of the abdominal cavity. 20% of cases are peritoneal mesothelioma.
Pericardial Mesothelioma - develops in the pericardium, the lining of the heart. 5% of cases are pericardial meosthelioma.
Testicular Mesothelioma - develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles. This is the rarest form of mesothelioma.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Symptoms can develop up to 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. Symptoms often appear as less serious conditions which can cause a delay in diagnosis. Mesothelioma symptoms will depend on the type of mesothelioma.

Pleural symptoms - chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, fatigue, lumps under the skin of the chest
Peritoneal symptoms - abdominal pain and swelling, bowel obstruction, unexplained weight loss, nausea, fatigue, night sweats, anemia, diarrhea, constipation
Pericardial symptoms - fatigue, nausea, night sweats, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, heart palpations
Testicular symptoms - appearance of lumps

Diagnosis and Treatment of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is diagnosed by a series of physical examinations, X-rays, CT scans, PET scan, or MRI. If mesothelioma is suspected, a biopsy will be performed to confirm the presence of cancerous cells.

Treatment options for mesothelioma can include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Surgery can be performed if mesothelioma is discovered in the early stages. Chemotherapy and radiation are used to help with symptoms, slow the spread of the cancer, and help prolong the patient's life.

Survival Rate, Prognosis, and Statistics for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma diagnosed in the late stages often has a poor prognosis. If a patient is diagnosed early, prognosis may improve with various treatment options.

The average life span for a newly diagnosed mesothelioma patient ranges from four to 18 months, depending on symptoms and treatment responses. Survival rates vary and will depend on the patient's age, general health, and the type of mesothelioma cancer.

Males are diagnosed more often than females. Males comprise over 80% of mesothelioma cases. Caucasian people account for over 95% of mesothelioma cases.

The five year survival rate for mesothelioma is approximately 10% and the one year survival rate is about 40%.

Mesothelioma has a greater chance of responding to treatment in the early stages of the disease. If a person has a known exposure to asbestos, screenings for this type of cancer should be done on a regular basis to try and diagnosis the cancer early for a better prognosis and treatment course.

References:

1. National Cancer Institute, "Mesothelioma" accessed May 11, 2010

2. Asbestos.com, "Mesothelioma" accessed May 11, 2010

Sandra Blake - Sandra resides in Ohio. She attended the Academy of Health Sciences and Columbus State. She has years of experience in health information ...