Mesothelioma
Q: My father was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. Can you tell me more about it?
A: Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, which is a type of tissue that envelopes organs inside the body. The mesothelium consists of two layers: one immediately surrounding the organ and the other forming a sac around it. The space between those layers contains a fluid secreted by the mesothelium that functions to reduce friction and thereby allow parts to easily move without excessive wear. This fluid functions essentially like oil in an engine.
Just as people give different names to the cloth surrounding different parts of their bodies (that worn on the head is termed a hat or scarf, that worn on the upper body is called a shirt or blouse, and that worn on the legs is termed pants or a skirt), anatomists and doctors give different names to the mesothelium depending on what it surrounds (see the table below).
| Type of mesothelium | What does it cover? |
| Pleura | Lungs and the internal chest cavity that contains them |
| Peritoneum | Organs in the abdominal cavity |
| Pericardium | Heart |
| Tunica vaginalis testis | Male internal reproductive organs |
| Tunica serosa uteri | Female internal reproductive organs |
Who gets mesothelioma, and why?
Mesothelioma is surprisingly rare even though millions of people have inhaled asbestos particles, which is the primary cause of mesothelioma. In fact, about 75% of mesothelioma cases are linked to asbestos exposure. A person's genetic makeup, diet, and other factors likely alters susceptibility to mesothelioma, just as individual variation explains why the risk of contracting other diseases also varies from person to person. While the risk of mesothelioma is statistically increased in a group of people with greater exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time, any given individual with such heavy and protracted exposure may not develop mesothelioma, whereas some people with brief exposures do develop mesothelioma.
Men face an increased risk of mesothelioma, probably because they are more likely than women to have been occupationally exposed to it in greater concentrations and for more time.
Asbestos has been used in insulation, roof shingles, flooring products, cement, brake linings, textiles, and other products. People who worked with asbestos-containing products are more likely to develop mesothelioma decades later. However, a person who does not work with any products containing asbestos may still be massively exposed to it if, for example, he renovates a home containing asbestos insulation and flooring. The risk of mesothelioma is slightly increased in people who live with someone who has worked with asbestos, probably because of asbestos dust carried home on their clothing and hair.
What symptoms might suggest mesothelioma?
Depending on the location and extent of the mesothelioma, affected individuals may experience one or more of the following: shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, hoarseness, chest pain, hemoptysis (blood in the sputum), abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, bowel obstruction, weight loss, anemia, fatigue, jaundice, blood clotting abnormalities, and fever. If the mesothelioma spreads to other parts of the body, a person with it can develop pain in those areas, difficulty swallowing, and swelling of other body parts. However, all of these symptoms may result from other conditions.
Can mesothelioma be treated?
Yes, but as with other cancers, the treatment options depend on where the cancer is located and the stage of the disease; that is, how far it has progressed. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, alone or in combination. In general, mesothelioma has a poor prognosis (chance of a cure), even with the best treatment. Attorneys representing mesothelioma victims have filed multiple successful lawsuits, winning billions of dollars in compensation. The risks of asbestos have been accumulating over the past century, so manufacturers have a difficult time defending such cases. If you or a loved one has mesothelioma but no legal representation, you should contact an attorney now. The attorneys advertising on this page have web sites offering much more information about mesothelioma and how you can obtain legal representation. (NOTE: If the ads do not pertain to mesothelioma, simply reload or refresh the page to see another group of ads.)