Mesothelioma is a rare, lethal form of cancer affecting the thin layer of tissue surrounding many internal organs. Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining surrounding the lungs, represents approximately 90% of mesothelioma cases. Accordingly, exposure to airborne asbestos fibers is the primary risk factor for developing mesothelioma and asbestos exposure increases mesothelioma risk by 10 to 20%. The next most common form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the layer of tissue surrounding abdominal organs.
Prognosis and Life Expectancy
Unfortunately, mesothelioma is almost always diagnosed after it spreads and the prognosis is generally poor. The overall survival expectancy for patients is between 8 and 14 months, even with treatment.
cancer cellTypes of Mesothelioma
The most lethal type of mesothelioma, in terms of life expectancy, is sarcomatoid. This type occurs in about 10 to 20% of mesothelioma patients. The other main types of mesothelioma are epithelial and biphasic, which affect 50 to 70% and 20 to 35% of patients, respectively. Biphasic mesothelioma consists of cells with both epithelioid and sarcomatoid histological features. Classifying mesothelioma tumors by type is diagnostically useful and predictive of survival rates. For example, epithelioid tumors respond better to treatment as evidenced by longer patient survival rates and mixed tumors tend to have an intermediate response to treatment.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The symptoms that initially bring patients to the doctor can include any of the following: chest pains, trouble breathing, pain when coughing, the appearance of lumps on the chest under the skin, and unexplained weight loss. Once exposed to asbestos, though, it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for symptoms to finally appear.
Diagnosing the Disease
Diagnosis of mesothelioma can be performed a number of ways. An asbestos exposure history, if known, is considered diagnostically useful. Saliva and lung biopsy samples can be examined for a higher than normal concentration of asbestos fibers. Pleural effusion, which is the liquid that can form around diseased lungs, can be examined for signs of malignancy. A more invasive, but highly accurate method is called thoracoscopy, which involves taking biopsy samples from the pleural cavity using an endoscope and then performing a number of definitive histological procedures on the sample. Other diagnostic assays may also be employed.
Treating the Disease
Treatment usually consists of a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Since a diagnosis of mesothelioma typically occurs at stage 3 or later, the goal of treatment is usually focused on prolonging patient survival and improving quality of life.
The incidence rate for mesothelioma in the U.S. was about 0.97 per 100,000 between 1973 and 1999. Between 2,000 and 3,000 new cases are reported each year.
References:
American Cancer Society
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Prognosis and Life Expectancy
Unfortunately, mesothelioma is almost always diagnosed after it spreads and the prognosis is generally poor. The overall survival expectancy for patients is between 8 and 14 months, even with treatment.
cancer cellTypes of Mesothelioma
The most lethal type of mesothelioma, in terms of life expectancy, is sarcomatoid. This type occurs in about 10 to 20% of mesothelioma patients. The other main types of mesothelioma are epithelial and biphasic, which affect 50 to 70% and 20 to 35% of patients, respectively. Biphasic mesothelioma consists of cells with both epithelioid and sarcomatoid histological features. Classifying mesothelioma tumors by type is diagnostically useful and predictive of survival rates. For example, epithelioid tumors respond better to treatment as evidenced by longer patient survival rates and mixed tumors tend to have an intermediate response to treatment.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The symptoms that initially bring patients to the doctor can include any of the following: chest pains, trouble breathing, pain when coughing, the appearance of lumps on the chest under the skin, and unexplained weight loss. Once exposed to asbestos, though, it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for symptoms to finally appear.
Diagnosing the Disease
Diagnosis of mesothelioma can be performed a number of ways. An asbestos exposure history, if known, is considered diagnostically useful. Saliva and lung biopsy samples can be examined for a higher than normal concentration of asbestos fibers. Pleural effusion, which is the liquid that can form around diseased lungs, can be examined for signs of malignancy. A more invasive, but highly accurate method is called thoracoscopy, which involves taking biopsy samples from the pleural cavity using an endoscope and then performing a number of definitive histological procedures on the sample. Other diagnostic assays may also be employed.
Treating the Disease
Treatment usually consists of a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Since a diagnosis of mesothelioma typically occurs at stage 3 or later, the goal of treatment is usually focused on prolonging patient survival and improving quality of life.
The incidence rate for mesothelioma in the U.S. was about 0.97 per 100,000 between 1973 and 1999. Between 2,000 and 3,000 new cases are reported each year.
References:
American Cancer Society
American Society of Clinical Oncology
