What Patients Need to Know About Mesothelioma Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Someone who sees their doctor for a cough that won’t seem to go away is probably not expecting to be asked about a job they held thirty years ago. But if a scan shows anything unusual around the lungs, that old employment information could matter. The doctor may ask questions about insulation, construction work or even the sort of dust a person may have tracked in on their clothes.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the thin tissue lining of certain organs, usually around the lungs, but also in the abdomen. It is most commonly linked to asbestos exposure, and could take decades to show up. Many years can pass before someone ever has a reason to suspect anything.
A Doctor’s Appointment Might Bring Up an Old Job
Asbestos was once extremely common in insulation, roof shingles, floor tiles and even industrial equipment because it could withstand high temperatures. The danger comes when those materials are disturbed, where they then release tiny fibers into the air that people can breathe in.
Construction workers, shipyard employees and manufacturing workers could be exposed to asbestos on the job. Exposure risks can also happen during renovations or demolition work, because older buildings may still contain large amounts of asbestos.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most cases of mesothelioma are caused by asbestos, but exposure doesn’t necessarily mean a person will develop the disease. Not everyone with a similar work history will experience the same health outcomes.
People may have encountered the fibers in less obvious ways. Someone working around asbestos could bring home dust on their clothes or shoes. Family members who never visited that workplace may have been exposed by handling laundry or just being around contaminated clothing.
Someone may remember their job but know very little about the materials they worked with. They may have spent years working near old insulation without knowing that it contained asbestos. It’s important to tell a doctor about that possibility, especially if symptoms aren’t clear.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma Can Vary
Pleural mesothelioma affects the tissues surrounding the lungs. Someone with this type of cancer may develop a persistent cough, chest pain or trouble breathing. It is also possible to experience fatigue or unexplained weight loss.
Sometimes fluid may build up in the space between the lungs and chest wall, which is called a pleural effusion, and the pressure could make it harder to breathe. Those symptoms aren’t necessarily specific to mesothelioma since other lung conditions can cause similar problems, including respiratory infections. However, the American Cancer Society says people sometimes have symptoms months before they ever receive a diagnosis.
Mesothelioma can also affect the lining of the abdomen. Symptoms may include swelling, stomach pain, nausea or a loss of appetite. In rare cases, the disease develops in the tissue surrounding the heart or even the testicles. And because these symptoms can occur with other illnesses, a doctor will need to investigate what’s causing them.
What if Something Strange Shows Up on a Scan?
A chest X-ray may reveal fluid around the lungs or perhaps something else that looks unusual. A CT scan can give doctors a closer look at anything unusual that appeared on the X-ray.
Fluid around the lungs can develop for a multitude of reasons, including infections or heart problems. When a scan shows changes that concern the doctor, more often than not, more testing is needed to find out what’s causing them.
Doctors may test fluid collected around the lungs, although they’ll usually need a small tissue sample to confirm mesothelioma. That sample is examined in a laboratory to determine whether cancer is present and what type it is. The National Cancer Institute details the tests involved in the process, including imaging and the various methods doctors use to obtain tissue samples.
Sometimes the first round of tests doesn’t provide enough information, and doctors may need to do more testing. Once mesothelioma is confirmed, they’ll look at how far the cancer has spread and examine cancer cells more closely before deciding which treatments to consider.
Treatment Options After Diagnosis
For one person, a treatment discussion might involve surgery; for another, medicines. A big difference is the location and extent of the cancer, as well as the person’s health and ability to tolerate a proposed procedure.
Mesothelioma treatment can include chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Some patients with peritoneal mesothelioma may be candidates for surgery combined with heated chemotherapy delivered directly into the abdomen. These treatments are not interchangeable, and some are not appropriate for all patients. The National Cancer Institute explains options for various stages and forms of the disease.
Patients may also need treatment for symptoms that interfere with daily life. Fluid that builds up around the lungs may need to be drained to make breathing easier. Together with the treatments for the cancer itself, pain relief and other supportive treatments should be discussed.
It can be helpful to ask the specialist about the goal of the proposed treatment, how often it will be administered and what recovery might look like. Because mesothelioma is rare, experience treating the disease may be an important factor to consider when choosing a medical team.
What Doctors Need to Know
Old job records, dates of home renovations and information about possible asbestos exposure can be hard to remember. Patients don’t have to have all of those details before seeking the medical care they need. Anything they do remember can help the medical team with a place to start.
Patients may also have questions about their legal rights or possible compensation related to asbestos exposure at work. Those are questions that are dependent on the facts and the applicable laws, and should be answered by a qualified attorney.
Keeping copies of imaging reports, biopsy results and keeping a list of questions for upcoming appointments could make the conversations with specialists easier, especially for those facing a new diagnosis. It’s also never a bad idea to bring a family member or trusted friend to help keep track of the information discussed during visits.
The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, financial, medical or professional advice. Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances. We disclaim any liability for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of, or reliance on, the information presented.