Mesothelioma cancer occurs in the thin tissue layer (mesothelium) covering the chest wall, lungs, and abdomen. It is deadly and aggressive and does not have a cure. But on the brighter side, available treatments can help control the symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life. Doctors typically divide this cancer into different types based on the part of the mesothelium affected. Sometimes, mesothelioma cancer can affect the tissues around the heart and testicles.

Causes
Asbestos exposure is a primary risk factor for the condition. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral commonly used in manufacturing, marine, military, automotive, and construction industries. When asbestos is cut, tiny particles are released, which float in the air. If not using proper safety measures, people can swallow or inhale these particles. Asbestos fibers can stay in our bodies for decades without causing any harm. But they sometimes trigger genetic changes in the mesothelial cells, such as a BAP1 gene mutation, resulting in mesothelioma cancer. Usually, it develops 20 to 50 years after a person comes in contact with asbestos, and most people are unaware of their past asbestos exposure.

Besides mesothelioma cancer, asbestos exposure may result in other severe health conditions, such as kidney, larynx, and lung cancer. It may also result in asbestosis, a benign but chronic lung disease.

Other factors can also aggravate one’s risk of developing mesothelioma cancer. For instance, people exposed to radiation for cancer treatments are likely to develop the disease. Moreover, the condition is more prevalent in men, and one generation may pass it down to the next in rare cases.

Symptoms
As mentioned, the symptoms usually appear 20 to 50 years after the initial asbestos exposure. Moreover, they can vary depending on the organ that is affected. For instance, the primary lung-related mesothelioma symptoms are chest pain and shortness of breath, possibly due to fluid accumulation in the pleura. When the condition affects the abdomen, it could lead to pain and swelling in the abdomen, bowel obstruction, fever, anemia, and blood clotting abnormalities.

When cancer spreads to other body parts, it may induce other symptoms, such as swallowing difficulties, pain, or swelling in the face or neck. Since several conditions share these symptoms, they do not necessarily mean one has mesothelioma cancer. But if the signs persist, individuals must visit a doctor for a diagnosis.

Diagnosis
Diagnosing mesothelioma cancer can be tricky as it closely resembles other cancers. If a doctor suspects the disease, they order specific tests and match the results with the patient’s symptoms. Some examinations individuals may undergo are:

• CT scans to assess if the cancer has spread to other body parts
• Blood tests
• Biopsies, wherein a small tissue sample from the abdomen or pleura is sent for laboratory examination
• X-rays to assess problems in the lungs, including fluid between the chest wall and lungs, or pleura thickening
• PET scans to evaluate the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest
• Ultrasounds to look through the windpipe into the lungs
• Examinations of the fluid removed from the abdomen or pleura

Treatment options and management
Treatment depends on the cancer stage and location and the patient’s overall health and age. Based on these factors, the doctor may recommend the following options:

• Surgery
  It involves removing a part or all of the tumor while in the early stage to prevent it from growing and relieve the symptoms. If it is not possible for the surgeon to extract the entire tumor, they may remove a part of it to reduce its size. Sometimes, the surgeon will remove the lining around the abdominal cavity or lungs to reduce the symptoms. After this, the person may require a catheter to drain the fluid from the lungs.
• Chemotherapy
  When surgery is impossible, doctors recommend chemotherapy to slow the tumor’s growth and size. Sometimes, the procedure is performed before surgery to reduce the tumor’s size, making the removal easier. Alternatively, it may be performed after the surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy
  This therapy uses powerful energy beams to reduce the symptoms’ severity in people with pleural mesothelioma. At times, it also helps avoid metastasis following surgery or biopsy.

Typically, mesothelioma cancer is aggressive, and diagnosis usually happens in the later stage. Hence, only about 35 percent of people diagnosed make it to another year. Surgery is not recommended at this stage, and treatment options like radiation or chemotherapy trigger adverse effects. In many cases, the only option is to manage the person’s pain and keep them as comfortable as possible.