Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of cancer that typically forms in the linings of certain tissues. The two most common forms are pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, which develop in the linings around the lungs and abdomen, respectively. There are also less common forms of the disease, such as pericardial and testicular mesothelioma. In addition, different mesothelioma cell types can also be identified.
People exposed to asbestos, which is a fibrous mineral that can be inhaled or ingested, may have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. Treatment plans may be able to improve survival and quality of life in patients, though the maximum survival rate is typically 18 to 31 months. Treatments can include chemotherapy or immunotherapy, or a combination of both, which is known as a multimodal plan.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms can take 10 – 50 years to present after initial asbestos exposure. When symptoms do appear, they can easily be mistaken for less serious illnesses. Similar symptoms may occur with the flu, pneumonia or intestinal troubles.
This latency period and delay in symptom reporting may complicate the mesothelioma diagnostic process. If you or a loved one have a history of asbestos exposure, it can be helpful to disclose that exposure to a doctor who can do periodic checkups. This may help lead to an earlier diagnosis and treatment plan.
With an earlier diagnosis, patients may have different treatment options. In some cases, early detection may improve a mesothelioma prognosis.
Causes of Mesothelioma
Asbestos is the only definitive cause of mesothelioma. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they may embed in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. Over time, the fibers can cause inflammation and scarring. This irritation can later lead to the development of mesothelioma tumors.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are four main types of mesothelioma, each based on the location of tumors. The most common type is malignant pleural mesothelioma. These main types of mesothelioma fall into categories based upon the kinds of cells in the tumor. The three main mesothelioma cell types are:
- Epithelioid mesothelioma: The tumors contain epithelioid cells that look similar to epithelial cells found in the skin and other common tissues. This is the most common mesothelioma cell type. Compared to other cell types, epithelioid mesothelioma responds well to treatment.
- Sarcomatoid mesothelioma: The tumors contain epithelioid cells that look similar to epithelial cells found in the skin and other common tissues. This is the most common mesothelioma cell type. Compared to other cell types, epithelioid mesothelioma responds well to treatment.
- Biphasic mesothelioma: The tumors contain a combination of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. In general, this type occurs in the pleura (lung lining) or peritoneum (abdominal lining). The percentage of each cell type may affect which treatment options are available.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options
Treatment is the best way to help improve a mesothelioma prognosis. This can include improving quality of life and extending life expectancy.
Traditional treatments for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Immunotherapy is a newer, promising treatment method that is often used, too. This may be an option for mesothelioma patients.
These methods will often be combined to create a successful treatment plan. This approach is called multimodal treatment. Multimodal plans have yielded the best known patient survival outcomes.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells and stop them from multiplying. For mesothelioma, the standard first-line chemotherapy treatment is cisplatin or carboplatin with pemetrexed. It is often combined with other methods.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy helps the body identify and fight cancer cells. It has been successful for patients with average or complex cases. The combo of Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab) has approval for pleural cases. Clinical trials continue testing this method.
Radiation
Radiation is a standard cancer treatment that uses energy to damage or kill cancer cells. It is commonly used with other methods, such as surgery, to treat pleural mesothelioma.
Surgery
Surgery is the method of manually removing cancerous tissue. It may be used throughout the various stages of cancer. In later stages, surgery may have a more palliative than therapeutic intent.
