Mesothelioma
Overview
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the body's organs. It's usually linked to asbestos exposure.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma tend to develop gradually over time. They typically do not appear until several decades after exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma in the lining of the lungs include: chest painshortness of breathfatigue (extreme tiredness)a high temperature and sweating, particularly at nighta persistentcoughloss of appetite andunexplained weight lossclubbed (swollen) fingertips Symptoms of mesothelioma in the lining of the tummy include: tummy painor swellingfeeling or being sickloss of appetite and unexplained weight lossdiarrhoeaorconstipation See a GP if you have any persistent or worrying symptoms. Tell them about any exposure to asbestos you may have had in the past.
Causes
Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibres that used to be widely used in construction. These tiny fibres can easily get in the lungs, where they get stuck, damaging the lungs over time. It usually takes a while for this to cause any obvious problems, with mesothelioma typically developing more than 20 years after exposure to asbestos. The use of asbestos was completely banned in 1999, so the risk of exposure is much lower nowadays. But materials containing asbestos are still found in many older buildings. Read more aboutasbestosis.
Treatment
The best treatment for mesothelioma depends on several factors, including how far the cancer has spread and your general health. As mesothelioma is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, treatment is usually focused on controlling the symptoms and prolonging life for as long as possible. This is known aspalliative or supportive care. Possible treatments include: chemotherapy– this is the main treatment for mesothelioma and involves using medicine to help shrink the cancerradiotherapy– this involves using high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells; it may be used to slow the cancer down and keep it under controlsurgery – an operation to remove the cancerous area can be done if mesothelioma is detected at a very early stage, although it's not clear whether surgery is helpfulimmunotherapy – this involves using a combination of 2 medicines to help stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells; immunotherapy cannot cure mesothelioma, but it can slow the spread of the disease and prolong lifespan You'll also probably have treatment for your individual symptoms to help you feel as comfortable as possible. For example, regularly draining fluid from your chest may help your breathing and strong painkillers may help relieve your pain. Sometimes, a procedure is carried out to stop the fluid coming back by making the outside of the lungs stick to the inside of your chest (pleurodesis), or a tube is put in your chest to drain the fluid regularly at home. Your doctors should discuss these treatments with you.
Prevention
Avoid asbestos exposure (banned in UK since 1999). Follow safety rules for old buildings.
When to see a doctor
See GP if: persistent worrying symptoms; history of asbestos exposure.