Asbestos cancer / mesothelioma
Asbestos cancer / mesothelioma - Mesothelioma, also known as pleural or asbestos cancer, is a malignant cancer type in the pleural cavity or lungs and airways. 85% of mesothelioma cases are caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, which led to the name “asbestos cancer”.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, develops in the linings of certain tissues. Pleural and peritoneal are the two most common types of mesothelioma. These types develop in the lining around the lungs or the abdomen, respectively. Other types are pericardial mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma. There are also different mesothelioma cell types.
Malignant mesothelioma cancer develops after exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that often creates dust or powder. If inhaled or ingested, the fibers can lodge in internal organs and later cause tumors to develop. People with occupational asbestos exposure risks have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma life expectancy ranges from 18 to 31 months, with treatment. In general, treatment may help improve factors like quality of life and survival. Treatment plans may include traditional methods like surgery and chemotherapy or newer methods like immunotherapy. Multimodal plans, which are plans with different treatments combined, are common.
The Netherlands Cancer Institute
At the NKI Lung Cancer Center, our specialists excel at thoracic oncology: lung cancer and tumors in the lungs, airways, pleural cavity, and thymus, including mesothelioma/asbestos cancer and neuroendocrine tumors in the lungs. The Netherlands Cancer Institute is an expert center for mesothelioma in the Netherlands.
