Mesothelioma Cancer: Types, Symptoms, Prognosis, and Treatments

A mesothelioma diagnosis can alter one’s life. It usually appears decades after initial asbestos exposure. It is a deadly, uncommon cancer that presents subtle symptoms. The latent period adds to the risk and challenges of early diagnosis. While mesothelioma is only a tiny fraction of all cancers, its impact is highly felt by families and individuals. Here is a comprehensive guide to what you need to know about mesothelioma cancer.

Understanding Type of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is subdivided by where malignancy occurs in the body, and each has unique attributes. Knowing what one is dealing with will help decide on optimal therapy, and a comprehensive knowledge of the prognosis is essential.

Pleural Mesothelioma

It is the most frequent and occurs in about 75% of all diagnosed cases. It develops the pleura, a two-layered membrane surrounding the lungs. It is sometimes mistaken for illness such as pneumonia and chronic bronchitis and thus needs proper examination.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The diseases arise in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity, and account for 15% to 20% of cases. They tend to manifest symptomatically with abdominal discomfort, gas, nausea, and alteration of bowel function. Some have nonspecific tiredness and loss of weight.

Less common than its pleural counterpart, peritoneal mesothelioma is more curable, especially if discovered early and subsequently managed with interventions like surgical cytoreduction combined with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Pericardial Mesothelioma

It is a rare type found in the covering of the heart, the pericardium. It is responsible for less than 1% of all mesothelioma reports. Some of its symptoms include chest pain, arrhythmia, and dyspnea, and at some point, they are mistaken for heart disease. It isn’t easy to diagnose and manage because of its location. It is usually only found when surgery is underway or even after death.

Testicular Mesothelioma

It occurs in the tunica vaginalis, a sheath that contains the testis. Most commonly found incidentally at the time of surgery for some other cause, such as hernia, usually quite asymptomatic, this type accounts for less than one percent of mesotheliomas. It can appear as a mass or a swelling on a testicle. Extremely rare, testicular mesothelioma also has a more favorable prognosis than the other, particularly if surgery alone is employed.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma may be elusive and only manifest 20 to 50 years from asbestos exposure.  Most frequently, the lag is caused by an end-stage delayed diagnosis, which minimizes the likelihood of curative treatment. While symptoms generally increase over time, symptoms vary with the type of mesothelioma. Symptoms most frequent include:

• Chronic cough
• Limited breathing
• Mysterious weight loss
• Abdominal or chest pain
• Fatigue

Symptoms can easily be mistaken for more benign conditions, such as bronchitis or irritable bowel syndrome. This calls for a timely visit to a specialist for tests. Be regular with doctors’ appointments and update them on any unusual signs.

The Prognosis

The prognosis depends mostly on how early or late the disease was identified. Survival rate will, however, vary depending on the stage and category of the illness, but the range is 12 to 21 months. The individual’s health and age also play a huge role, so leading a healthy lifestyle matters. Prognosis varies on a myriad of factors:

• Type of mesothelioma: The prognosis for peritoneal mesothelioma could be better than pleural mesothelioma.
• Epithelioid cells are easier to treat than sarcomatoid cells.
• Early-diagnosis patients have better treatment options and outcomes based on diagnosis.

Due to early diagnosis, tailored treatment plans, and participation in clinical trials, many patients have lived many more years than projected. Quality care and good access, together with hope, can pay dividends. Common diagnostic tools include:

• X-rays
• CT scans
• MRI
• Blood tests
• Biopsy

Treatments

Remedies often take the shape of a multimodal approach, which is often customized to meet a patient’s specific needs. Speak with your specialist about mesothelioma treatment options based on what will work best. During the initial consultations, the medical team will guide them on the plan they’ll follow, including its expectations. Discuss everything, including the additional support you need from psychologists and nutritionists. The following are the main treatment options for mesothelioma.

• Surgery: Tumor removal, usually done at the initial phase of mesothelioma.
• Chemotherapy: Drugs given to kill or slow down the development of malignancies.
• Radiation Therapy: Cancer cells are killed using high-energy beams.
• Immunotherapy: Triggers the immune system to attack cancer. It seeks to disrupt specific molecules that take part in the generation of cancer.

Hope is being regained with new medications and clinical trials for the patients. Photodynamic treatment and gene therapy are some methods being researched to be more effective and have fewer side effects.

Endnote

Typically associated with asbestos exposure, mesothelioma is a rare but tenacious cancer. Knowledge of its subtypes and presentation can prove helpful in early detection, which can lead to a better prognosis. Families and patients must remain informed, investigate all resources for support networks and aid, and seek appropriate care.