Asbestos Exposure and Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Asbestos Exposure and Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma - How Is Mesothelioma Related to Asbestos?
Asbestos exposure can be blamed for almost all of the 3,000-plus cases of malignant mesothelioma diagnosed every year in the U.S.[1] Most asbestos exposure occurred in the workplace.[2]
Companies used asbestos until the government began regulating it in the 1970s. Workers more likely to have been exposed include industrial workers, sailors, shipyard workers, construction laborers and skilled tradespeople, and miners, among many others.
Asbestos exposure is now declining and occurs much less often than it did in the past, thanks to the decrease in its use.[3] But anyone with a history of asbestos exposure can still get a diagnosis of mesothelioma today. This cancer has a long latency period, not appearing for decades after exposure.
What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
Most patients with mesothelioma experience no symptoms or mild symptoms for many years.[2] The early symptoms are similar to those of more common illnesses.
Only when mesothelioma tumors grow larger and begin to spread do symptoms worsen.[4]
The later stages of mesothelioma cause symptoms more typical of other types of cancer: weight loss, fatigue, fever, and persistent pain, swelling, or feelings of fullness in peritoneal mesothelioma.
Is There a Cure for Mesothelioma?
There is currently no cure for mesothelioma, but this doesn’t mean people don’t survive it. Researchers and specialists continue to find better ways to manage the disease, giving patients longer life expectancy and greater quality of life.
No single treatment cures mesothelioma, but some patients achieve remission with the right combination of therapies and other factors. Multimodal treatment in early-stage patients provides the best chance for remission.
Emerging and innovative treatments like gene therapy, immunotherapy, vaccine therapy, and others are changing the game for mesothelioma patients, even if none represent a definitive cure.
What Are the Options for Mesothelioma Treatment?
Treatment plans for mesothelioma vary depending on the needs, limitations, and preferences of each patient. Treatment also depends on the type and stage of the cancer.[9] Mesothelioma is aggressive and spreads fast. Diagnosis usually comes in the later stages, which limits treatment options.
Typical treatment plans are multimodal, including two or more strategies. The most standard options are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Palliative care is an important aspect of mesothelioma treatment. It includes hospice and end-of-life care but also treatments and therapies to improve quality of life for patients at any stage.
Palliative care providers enrich and strengthen the care provided by an oncologist and surgeon. They are experts in pain and symptom management and can help support important decision-making and patients’ goals. Patients with advanced cancers who are not eligible for surgery or chemotherapy need more palliative care services.[10
