Mesothelioma

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that there is an increasing number of deaths from 2479 in 1999 to 2597 in 2018 due to malignant mesothelioma especially among aged ≥85 years, most likely representing exposure to asbestos fibers and possibly other causative elongated mineral particles (EMPs) many years ago.

"Asbestos" refers to six naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have the ability to resist heat, fire, and electricity. For many years it was used as an important ingredient in a large number of products, primarily for the construction industry.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs known as the mesothelium.

The mesothelium is the layer of flat cells, derived from the mesoderm, that lines the body cavity of the embryo. In the adult, it forms the simple squamous epithelium that covers the surface of all true serous membranes (peritoneum, pericardium, pleura). The most common area affected is the lining of the lungs and chest wall. Less commonly the lining of the abdomen and rarely the sac surrounding the heart, or the sac surrounding the testis may be affected. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma may include shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung, a swollen abdomen, chest wall pain, cough, feeling tired, and weight loss. These symptoms typically come on slowly.

How do you get mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the most common risk factor for mesothelioma.

However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

When asbestos fibers in the air are inhaled, they can get into the lungs. Fibers that stay in thel ungs can travel to the ends of the smale airways and enter the pleural lining of the lung and chest wall. These fibers can then injure the cells of the pleura, and eventually cause mesothelioma.

What are the types of mesothelioma?

There are four primary types of mesothelioma based on the location where a tumor first develops: pleural(lungs), peritoneal (abdomen), pericardial (heart) and testicular. In addition, mesothelioma can be categorized based on cell type — epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic — and according to malignancy.

① Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs). This is the most common type, malignant pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 80-90 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Symptoms or signs of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion) are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:

• Chest wall pain

• Pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue or anemia

• Wheezing, hoarseness, or a cough

• Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis).

② Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen). Inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers can become trapped in the lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum)

Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain

• Ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen

• A mass in the abdomen

• Problems with bowel function

• Weight loss

③ Pericardial Mesothelioma (Heart). An extremely rare form of cancer that develops in the lining around the heart (pericardium). It is not well characterized, but observed cases have included cardiac symptoms, specially constrictive pericarditis, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, and cardiac tamponade.

④ Testicular Mesothelioma (Heart). Testicular mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of the disease, with fewer than 100 cases having been diagnosed around the world. Because there are so few incidents of this type of mesothelioma, little is understood about how it develops, and there is no standard course of treatment available according to rarediseases.org.

The earlier the cancer is detected the better the prognosis for mesothelioma patients. So people who have been exposed to asbestos in the past should see a doctor at the first sign of mesothelioma symptoms.

SOURCES:

www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6608a3.htm
rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/mesothelioma
www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/types/
www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/types/pericardial.htm
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma
www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html