Mesothelioma cancer, or malignant mesothelioma, is an extremely rare disease generally affecting the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity. Less than 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer each year, and the average age of people afflicted is between 50 and 70 years old. Mesothelioma cancer is most strongly associated with exposure to asbestos, and can remain latent in those exposed for 30 to 40 years. There are two main types of mesothelioma cancer: pleural, in which the cancer affects the lining of the chest and peritoneal, which affects the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Pleural is the more common of the two, accounting for approximately three out of every four cases. Peritoneal comprises the bulk of the remainder of mesothelioma cancers. Other extremely rare forms of mesothelioma cancer affect the lining of the heart (the pericardium) or testicles.

Symptoms of mesothelioma cancer include the following:

Pleural mesothelioma cancer:

• Pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Persistent cough
• Persistent fever
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer:

• Stomach pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swelling of the abdomen

It's important to remember that these symptoms may be caused by other, less serious conditions. In addition, other cancers can exhibit the same symptoms as pleural mesothelioma cancer, such as small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer. If you experience the symptoms of mesothelioma cancer, please visit your physician for an accurate diagnosis.

Your doctor may employ a number of resources to accurately diagnose mesothelioma cancer, beginning with a discussion of your medical history, followed by a complete physical examination including X-rays of the chest and lung function tests. Further tests may include a CT scan, an MRI, a bronchoscopy (a procedure in which a tiny camera at the end of a flexible tube is inserted into the chest via the mouth), and finally, for complete confirmation, a biopsy. These methods will also be used to stage, or determine the progression of, the disease.

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer can be an overwhelming experience for you and your family. Cancer Treatment Centers of America will rally around you a multidisciplinary team, consisting of a medical oncologist, a surgical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist, accompanied by expert practitioners from a variety of other fields. Your team will work with you to create an individualized, integrative treatment plan for your mesothelioma cancer, consisting of conventional methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, as well as complementary or alternative treatment options.

Surgery is a time-tested method for treating mesothelioma cancer, provided the tumor is confined to one space. Surgery may also be used as a palliative measure (to reduce discomfort from the symptoms).

Chemotherapy, treating mesothelioma cancer with anticancer drugs, may be used in conjunction with other conventional methods or, in certain cases, on its own. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America we employ numerous innovative chemotherapy techniques that can reduce side effects while optimizing treatment.

Radiation therapy, often used in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy, uses high-energy rays to either destroy or impede the growth of tumors. Innovative new methods have been and continue to be developed, enabling more focused delivery of higher doses of radiation that limits its effect on healthy cells.