Resources

Mesothelioma - Other Resources

These websites can help you connect with others through discussion lists, message boards, online answers to questions, and one-on-one matching with trained volunteers.

Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR) (http://www.acor.org/)
Here you'll find online discussions for people with a variety of diseases, including mesothelioma. Also features news updates regarding cancer.

Cancer Answers (https://www.moffitt.usf.edu/canceranswers/)
Cancer Answers at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute is a national toll-free cancer information service staffed by registered nurses. Cancer Answers' staff assist callers throughout the United States with answers to their questions and current information related to cancer research, treatment, and community resources. For more information, call (888) MOFFITT.

Cancer Care, Inc. (http://www.cancercare.org/)
Offers online social workers to answer questions and provide guidance, educational materials, telephone support groups, and direct support to people in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Cancer Hope Network (http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org/)
A non-profit organization that provides free and confidential one-on-one support to cancer patients and their families by matching them with trained volunteers who have undergone and recovered from a similar cancer experience.

drkoop.com (http://www.drkoop.com/)
This site is a rich source for health information, offering articles and advice on a wide range of medical topics, including cancer. Additionally, drkoop.com, includes personalized medical news, an index of health sites on the Internet, "Health and Wellness" centers, an interactive pharmacy, an "Ask Dr. Koop" message board, and information about malignant mesothelioma.

Patient Advocate Foundation (http://www.patientadvocate.org/)
Provides education, legal counseling, and referrals to cancer patients and survivors concerning managed care, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination and debt crisis matters. They have national and state-by-state listings for help with housing, utilities, transportation to medical treatment, pharmaceutical agents, and home health care, to name a few.

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Building 31
Room 10A03
31 Center Dr., MSC 2580
Bethesda, MD 20892-2580
Phone: (301) 435-3848
Toll-free: (800) 422-6237
http://www.nci.nih.gov/

American Cancer Society (ACS)
1599 Clifton Rd., NE
Atlanta, GA 30329-4251
Toll-free: (800) 227-2345
http://www.cancer.org/

American Lung Association
1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 315-8700
Toll-free: (800) 586-4872
E-Mail: info@lungusa.org
http://www.lungusa.org/

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
6701 Rockledge Dr.
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
Phone: (301) 592-8573
E-Mail: NHLBIinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
4676 Columbia Parkway, Mail Stop C-18
Cincinnati, OH 45226
Toll-free: (800) 356-4674
Fax: (513) 533-8573
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh

National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) PDQ clinical trials search form and other information about clinical trials can be found at http://www.cancer.gov/search/clinical_trials/ . You can choose "mesothelioma" under the scroll down window for "Type of Cancer" to learn about mesothelioma-specific trials listed with the NCI.

The 'Special' Material

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is found in just about every town in the country, and the places and manners it has been used are countless. The material appeared to meet many different needs before the dangers were known, and, as such, it appeared in over 300 consumer products, as well as in job sites, transportation vehicles, housing and construction.

It is almost impossible to claim that any individual has never been exposed to asbestos, and it still appears in many households in some form or another. (For the most part, it is safe if sealed and intact.) However, as an overview of some of the more commonly utilized locations for this “miracle mineral” (as dubbed by its discoverers, the early Greeks), asbestos exposure has been found in, but not limited to, the following locations:

Oil Refineries, Steel Mills, Power Plants, Chemical Plants, Auto Manufacturing Plants-These industries all depended upon asbestos for job site protection from the volatility of electricity, heat, flame and chemical accidents. It was used everywhere that there was a chance of danger, from around pipes and beams to between partitions, panels, wall, tiling, and ceilings. It was placed in fire blankets, fire curtains, around fire doors, and in other fireproofing materials, in addition to stovepipe rings, soldering and welding blocks and sheets.

Mines and Asbestos Processing Plants-Naturally occurring asbestos was still dangerous to workers since the day to day operations involved procedures that involved separation of asbestos fibers, which allowed them to contaminate the air. Ironically, asbestos was used also inside worker’s protective clothing such as bibs, aprons, hoods, gloves and overcoats.

Shipyards and on ships-Asbestos was used in many capacities by ship fitters in the construction and repair of liners. Onboard, asbestos was often found below deck, where there was a greater danger of fire causing potential loss of life. It was found in all areas where protection was needed, such as around high temperature gaskets, furnaces and boilers.

Construction-Asbestos was used throughout buildings from the second half of the nineteenth century, so generations of workers faced risk during building or renovation of these older facilities. In cities that have been heavily populated since the settlements of the 1800’s, much of the public has been exposed to asbestos used not only in housing, but in all public facilities. Banks, cinemas, stores, government offices, and recreation centers all used asbestos at some point, due to it popularity, ease of use, inexpensive availability and inherent properties to absorb heat, cold, sound and flames. In and around millboard, wallboard, lay-in panels, roofing felt, electrical wiring, elevator brakes shoes, cooling towers, steel beams, columns, and shingles, heaters and incinerators were areas in which asbestos was primarily placed.

Residences:

In the home, asbestos exposure was predominantly found in the areas most vulnerable to the need for weather insulation, and those were usually the attic, roof and basement. Asbestos was placed in crawl spaces, below flooring, and above ceilings. It was around water and sewer pipes, ducts, and electrical wiring. Asbestos was under vinyl, linoleum sheet flooring, floor backing, and inside acoustic tiles and barbecues.

Consumer Products:

Asbestos was also found in stove burner mats, iron rests, ironing board pads, pot holders, furnace door gaskets, wires, auto brake pads and linings. It was also mixed into the materials used in the manufacture of safes, safety boxes, filing cabinets, chalkboards, table tops, thermal paper, vinyl wall coverings, and packing materials. Furthermore, asbestos was mixed into concrete, stucco and plaster for greater strength needed for partitions, wallboard, and siding, and either sprayed on or applied with trowels. Asbestos was added to putty, caulking, adhesives, metal ware, clay, crayons, protective wear, paints, spackling compounds, tiling, paper-mache, and decorative plaster.

Appliances:

Almost every appliance had some amount of asbestos insulation due to its contact with electricity, especially if its major used involved a heating element. Examples would be toasters, ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, ranges, clothes washers, dryers, curling irons, and hair dryers. Plus, electric blankets, broilers, slow cookers, deep fryers, electric frying pans, electric grills, mixers and popcorn makers also could contain asbestos materials.

It should be noted that this list contains possible locations of asbestos during the last half of the 1900’s, since asbestos was not legally available for construction and industrial use after the 1980’s. Newer homes should not have asbestos, and older homes that have since remodeled also should not have asbestos as insulation, either. However, older properties and even some fairly newer consumer products may still contain asbestos. Asbestos becomes dangerous once fibers begin separating, since they then are light enough to float in air currents and become inhaled. Once in an individual’s lungs, the fibers remain wedged there for decades, and a person may only become aware of their exposure after being diagnosed with an asbestos disease such as potentially lethal mesothelioma.

Anyone who believes he or she has suffered from significant asbestos exposure either from their job or from their environment, and who is experiencing respiratory or other unusual symptoms should seek medical and legal attention as soon as possible.

Choose the Right Thing

Choosing the Right Attorney

If you have developed a serious medical condition due to asbestos exposure, such as mesothelioma, it is important to talk to a lawyer right away about your case. By waiting, your state’s statute of limitations may run out, meaning you will not be eligible to file suit. In some states, this time period is as short as one year. Keep in mind, it is important to find a lawyer that is right for you instead of just choosing the first one you find. How to go about choosing the right attorney? Use the follow tips to find the attorney that is right for your mesothelioma case:

Ask many questions during the initial meeting. To achieve a good understanding of your case, the attorney will probably ask many questions about your experiences with asbestos and your mesothelioma diagnosis. Make sure to ask your lawyer about his or her practice, as well as what you can expect if you choose to work with him or her on the case.

Be clear about your needs. Finding the right attorney starts with understanding what kind of legal help you need. Are you filing a personal injury case for yourself or a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a deceased relative? What sort of medical conditions are you experiencing? What are you seeking in damages? It is also important to talk to your lawyer about the possible outcome of your case.

Look for a lawyer that has time for you. Some asbestos-related cases can take years to resolve. It is not necessary for a lawyer to call you every day. In some cases, you don’t even need a lawyer that calls you every week. What you do need is an attorney that can have a meeting with you without being distracted by other cases. If the lawyer picks up the phone a few times during your meeting, chances are he or she may be too busy to devote enough time to your case.

Look for experience. In the case of medical lawsuits, it is always best to find a law firm that has handled similar cases in the past. Mesothelioma can be hard to understand, and every hour your lawyer spends researching your condition is time that could be better spent looking at helpful evidence. Ask about the lawyer’s experience in dealing with asbestos victims, as well as his or her track record concerning asbestos or mesothelioma cases.

Talk about costs with your attorney. Of course, quality is very important, but you should also look for a lawyer who is fair with pricing. Some attorneys charge an initial interviewing fee, while others charge an hourly rate. However, in most cases, the best option is to go with a lawyer that only recieves compensation if you do. Instead of paying per hour or a flat fee, he or she will be entitled to a percentage of your awarded compensation.

Read over the generic written agreement the lawyer provides. The right attorney will be willing to change things in the agreement, but if you find yourself questioning every other line, this is probably not the lawyer for you. You shouldn’t need a lawyer to sign a contract with a lawyer! Also, keep in mind every lawyer should provide a written agreement. This is important in order to protect your rights.

Avoid lawyers who tell you what you want to hear. No lawsuit is a “sure thing.” If your lawyer seems to be telling you what you want to hear for the sake attaining a client, consider other options. You need an attorney who will be straightforward with you about your legal options and the potential outcomes of your case, both good and bad.

Overall, the most important part of hiring a lawyer for a mesothelioma case or another asbestos-related case is to find one that makes you feel comfortable. Again, asbestos-related cases can take years to resolve, so you may be working with this individual for a long time. If you do not get along with your lawyer, or feel uncomfortable telling him or her the truth, you may want to think about hiring another attorney. Remember, you will have to disclose all information to your lawyer, so comfortability is a major factor in winning a case.

If you would like more information about choosing an attorney and other legal issues surrounding asbestos and mesothelioma, please fill out the form on the right to receive an information packet.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid for People Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

After a patient has been diagnosed with cancer of any type, the implications of the medical and financial burdens can be staggering. Receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma is no exception, as victims lives may be considerably shortened and a great deal of legal costs surely ensue. In a patient’s overwhelmed and weakened condition, they may not explore all possible avenues of assistance, which puts additional burdens on their family. Many mesothelioma patients have health insurance that may cover a major portion of treatment options. However, some people do not have health insurance or may need additional financial assistance. Patients should not lose hope, as government and nonprofit organizations can be easily reached for information that may save the patient and their family thousands of dollars. The following programs may be able to offer assistance:

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s Bureau of Primary Health Care provides health care, transportation, and translation services to low-income individuals. For more information, please visit http:// ask.hrsa.gov/pc/.

Another resource is the Hill-Burton Program, a provision granting government funds to facilities, that, in return, offer discounted services to those exhibiting financial need. Visit http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/default.htm to find hospitals that offer services to those who cannot afford hospitalization costs.

Medicaid is funded by federal and state budgets and provides a health insurance program to individuals who require financial assistance. It is usually supported by home care services to those who also are eligible for social security income and aid for families with dependent children. Medicaid may provide part-time nursing, at-home aide services, and medical supplies as well. Program details can be obtained through state welfare offices, health departments, social services agencies, or the state medicaid offices. For more information, please visit http://www.cms.gov/medicaid/consumer.asp, or call (877) 267–2323.

Medicare may be an option for folks who are at least 65 years of age and those of any age or who are considered disabled. There are two distinct divisions, Part A and Part B. Medicare Part A is responsible for hospitalization, home health care, hospice care, and nursing facilities that are Medicare-certified. Diagnostic studies, physicians’ services, home equipment, ambulance transportation, and screening exams fall under the jurisdiction of Medicare Part B. For more information, please call (800) 633–4227 (800-MEDICARE), or visit http://www.medicare.gov.

The Veterans Administration can help veterans for conditions that are service-connected, and may even offer some benefits to veteran’s families. For more information on VA benefits and services, please visit http://www1.va.gov/cancer/index.cfm.

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America, a national nonprofit organization, offers help to patients and their families and provides funding to mesothelioma research studies. For more information on this foundation, please visit http://www.mesorfa.org.

Another national nonprofit agency is CancerCare, which offers financial assistance in limited grants that apply towards specific treatment. To reach CancerCare by phone, please call (800) 813–4673 (800-813–HOPE), or visit http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/assistance/cc_financial.php.

NeedyMeds is a website offering assistance to those who cannot afford medicine or health care costs by helping them find programs. For more information, please visit http://www.needymeds.com/.

The Patient Advocate Foundation may be able to assist with legal counseling, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination, and debt crisis matters. To reach this foundation, please call (800) 532–5274, or visit http://www.patientadvocate.org. Their Co-Pay Relief Program may be able to offer assistance for medicine to patients who qualify ( http://www.copays.org).

Certain pharmaceutical manufacturers supply patient assistance in 475 public and private programs. Parameters are available by calling (888) 477–2669 (888-4PPA–NOW) or visiting https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php.

The American Cancer Society provides a workshop (Taking Charge of Money Matters) regarding financial concerns during or after cancer treatment. For more information, please visit http://www.cancer.org/ or call (800) 227–2345.

Community agencies such as United Way, Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Jewish Social Services, and religious charities may offer help and can be found in local phone directories. Plus, certain nonprofit community hospitals and state or local service agencies offer programs funded by state and local governments. They can be found through hospital social workers, the local health department, or by calling the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service: (800) 4–CANCER.

The Internal Revenue Service can also be consulted regarding deductions for costs that insurance may not cover, such as travel, out-of-pocket costs, meals during medical visits and other expenses. Patients can call (800) 829–1040, or visit http://www.irs.gov for more information.

The following include some other additional resources:

GovBenefits: (800) FED–INFO; http://www.govbenefits.gov/
Social Security Administration: (800) 772–1213; http://www.ssa.gov/reach.htm
Supplemental Security Income: http://www.ssa.gov/
Hope Lodge: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/SHR/content/SHR_2.1_x_Hope_Lodge.asp?sitearea=SHR
The Road to Recovery-Patients should contact their local American Cancer Society office.
National Patient Travel Helpline: (800) 296–1217; or visit http://www.patienttravel.org/.

Legal Issues and Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is diagnosed in approximately 2,000 people every year. However, unlike most other kinds of cancer, mesothelioma can be prevented. This type of cancer is, in most cases, caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a mineral found naturally in the earth. It is not a hike through nature that should deeply concern you, though. Heavy mining of asbestos began with the Industrial Revolution and continued through the early-1990s. The toxic mineral was used in thousands of domestic and industrial products throughout the United States. Widespread use has created a number of health problems for people, including mesothelioma. If you’ve developed mesothelioma, it is important to know your legal rights. Those afflicted with mesothelioma deserve compensation if they were put at risk without their knowledge.

Mesothelioma law covers both risk and the actual development of mesothelioma. An estimated 1.3 million people are exposed to asbestos every year, and before the 1980s, asbestos was not even moderately regulated, meaning that even more people were exposed before the '80s. Currently, the laws set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration state that asbestos fibers cannot exceed levels of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeters during a 30-minute time period. Laws also regulate this rate cannot be exceeded during an 8-hour work shift. In addition, current law states employees handling asbestos or working near it must be provided with protective clothing, a facility for showering after work to contain the asbestos, breathing devices, and other items to prevent exposure to asbestos. On top of that, employees must be trained and told about the health risks surrounding asbestos.

However, this was not always the case. Before the 1980s, asbestos was not regulated closely and major asbestos companies often neglected to tell their employees about the health dangers of this substance. Research shows these corporations did know about mesothelioma and other health problems caused by asbestos. In some cases, companies did private studies on these factors as early as the 1920s and 1930s. Asbestos companies conspired to keep this information a secret to prevent employees from leaving or the government from regulating the use of this product that was bringing in large sums of money.

If you were unknowingly exposed to asbestos and have developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related health condition, it is important to talk to a mesothelioma lawyer about filing suit against the company or companies responsible for exposure. If you are personally dealing with an asbestos-related health problem, you will file a personal injury lawsuit. On the other hand, if a loved one has passed away from mesothelioma, anyone in that person’s family can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Eligibility is essential to file a claim. Anyone unknowingly exposed to asbestos is eligible when diagnosed with mesothelioma, as long as state statute of limitations rules are followed, and this varies from state to state. It usually ranges from one to three years, and the countdown begins on the day you are diagnosed. If you want to file suit, it is important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid exceeding the statue of limitations.

Asbestos lawsuits are becoming more and more common as people continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma. The first major case was actually won in the early-1970s, while asbestos was conventionally used in many places and products. Today, most major corporations will settle outside of court because they know losing the case may be highly likely. In fact, some companies even have special funds set up for victims and their families. Naturally, many mesothelioma cases can be difficult or drawn-out. The asbestos company will try to prove they are not at fault for your condition, and they may appeal a ruling. Sometimes an asbestos-related court case can take more than two years, which often motivates a settlement out of court.

The industries hardest hit by mesothelioma lawsuits include construction, shipbuilding, and power generation. However, many other products were manufactured using asbestos as well. This is why it is so important to see a doctor if you worked in a factory, on a ship, or in a power plant in the past. You may also want to have your home tested for asbestos if it was built before 1980. This is especially important if you intend to do any home renovation projects.

If diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, it is very important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Finding a good asbestos lawyer with experience in this subject matter will help you file a strong case. By filing suit, you may be able to get the compensation you deserve to pay for medical bills. To learn more, fill out the form on the right for more information about mesothelioma, asbestos, and the legal rights surrounding these issues.

Clinical Trials

All new medical drugs and treatments must go through clinical trials before they can be considered safe for use in the general population. Therapies and drugs that have become standard in the current medical industry use have been through extensive clinical testing before becoming widely used.

These types of trials can be a source of hope and encouragement for people who have treatment-resistant, aggressive, and nearly incurable diseases such as mesothelioma. When considering taking part in a clinical trial, however, it’s very important to remember that taking part does not by any means guarantee the treatment will improve your health.

The Clinical Trial Process

Any given clinical trial includes three different stages, or phases.

· Phase One: A limited number of people are enrolled, and the trial mainly involves determining the most safe and effective dose to use of a new drug.

· Phase Two: A larger number of people are enrolled in this phase, where the efficacy of the drug in treatment of a particular illness is tested. In this phase, all that is tested is whether or not the treatment actually works.

· Phase Three: The goal here is to show the experimental treatment is more effective than existing treatments. In this phase, the new drug is compared to existing treatments for the disease.

If a new drug passes through all three phases successfully, it may be approved for use amongst the general public, and may become part of the established standard of care for the disease it is designed to treat.

How can you find out About Clinical Trials?

There are several sources of information about clinical trials. Your first point of call may be the internet, where you can find resources about clinical trials being carried out all over the country. The National Institute of Health (http://clinicaltrials.gov/) and the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/search/clinical_trials/) provide databases that can be searched for information about clinical trials.

Second, you can consult your doctor, who will be able to help you access information about specific trials, and help you determine if you meet qualifying criteria for trials you are interested in. Finally, you can also contact regional cancer centers in your area, which may have information about clinical trials being carried out in hospitals with which they share an affiliation.

What Should You Expect at a Clinical Trial Screening?

Not everyone who applies for entry to a clinical trial will be accepted. The primary purpose of a clinical trial is to collect information about a particular drug used in the treatment of a particular disease. To make the information-gathering process as accurate as possible, the people who take part in a clinical trial have to be chosen very carefully.

This is done to control what are called “variables” in the clinical trial, which are all the various characteristics that make each person in the trial different. In a clinical trial, the aim is to remove as many variables as possible, as these can potentially affect the results of a trial, and pose difficulties in establishing the effectiveness of the experimental treatment.

This means that in a clinical trial for mesothelioma, the trial may only accept people with a particular kind of mesothelioma that is in a particular stage. For example, the trial might only accept people with pleural mesothelioma in stage two, but not people with peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma in any other stage. The trial may also accept people based on the type of treatment they have received. For example they might only accept people who have not received any treatment, or who have not received a particular kind of treatment (such as surgery or chemotherapy).

General health is also a consideration, in that clinical trial coordinators will generally only accept people who don’t have any other pre-existing medical conditions, and who are not taking medications. Again, this is done to control the variables in the trial—don’t take it personally if you apply to enter a clinical trial and are not accepted.

Points to Consider before Participating in a Clinical Trial

If you are thinking about participating in a trial, there are several different important factors to consider besides whether or not you will be accepted into the trial. The following are some questions you can ask the trial coordinator during the screening process.

· What is the trial testing?

· What treatments are being used?

· What potential risks and side effects are there?

· What were the results of any previous trials that used this treatment?

· How long will the trial last?

· How often are treatments administered, and how long will treatment take?

· Will I have to cover any of the costs of treatment?

· Will I have to be hospitalized, or will the treatment be out-patient?

Another very important consideration is that you lose control over your medical treatment. In some clinical trials, not all patients receive the experimental treatment—some receive an existing standard treatment, and some receive a placebo, which essentially means they receive no treatment at all. If you participate in a trial like this, you cannot choose and will not know which type of treatment you are given.

One particular benefit of a clinical trial, however, is that you will receive excellent medical care throughout the trial. You will also be participating in an event that may help produce a new and more effective treatment for mesothelioma.

Meso-Treatment_2

Surgery

People who are diagnosed with mesothelioma have three main conventional treatment options: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Surgery for Different Purposes

Surgical options for mesothelioma and other cancers are split into three different categories: diagnostic, curative, and palliative surgery.

· Diagnostic surgery is carried out to determine what is causing a patient’s symptoms. In these cases a sample of tissue or fluid is removed from a site and tested for the presence of diagnostic markers, such as cancer cells.

· Curative surgery attempts to remove as much cancer as possible, in an effort to cure the patient permanently. This type of surgery is usually followed up by chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill residual cancer cells.

· Palliative surgery is carried out when curing a patient is not an option. These procedures are designed to provide symptomatic relief.

Surgical Procedures for Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Treatment

Biopsy:

This diagnostic procedure removes suspected cancer cells from a site so they can be tested to determine whether cancer is present. There are three types of biopsy procedures: core biopsy (not usually used to diagnose mesothelioma), excisional biopsy, and needle aspiration biopsy.

In an excisional biopsy the intent is to determine how far the cancer has spread. In some cases, the purpose of the surgery may change during the operation itself, and as much cancerous tissue as possible may be removed before completing the procedure.

Needle aspiration uses a very long needle to remove a small sample of cells and fluid from the area. The cells are then tested for the presence of cancer by looking at the shape of cells, the types of proteins they produce, and other diagnostic indicators.

Paracentesis:

This palliative procedure is carried out to remove fluid that has built up in the abdominal cavity of patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. In patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, built-up fluid can cause considerable pain and discomfort because the fluid places pressure on internal organs. During this procedure a very long, hollow needle is inserted into the abdomen to remove the fluid. This procedure can also be diagnostic. In this case, the fluid is removed and tested for the presence of cancer cells.

Pleurodesis:

This is another palliative treatment in which symptomatic relief is achieved for people with pleural mesothelioma (which develops in the lining of the lungs). Undergoing this procedure prevents a side effect of pleural mesothelioma, called pleural effusion. Pleural effusion occurs when fluid builds up in the lungs, causing considerable pain and difficulty with breathing.

During a pleurodesis procedure the pleural spaces are drained of fluid, then treated with a chemical that causes inflammation. The inflammation causes the pleural membrane spaces to close up so fluid cannot build up again.

Pneumonectomy:

This curative procedure involves the complete removal of one lung. This procedure can be carried out on patients who have pleural mesothelioma in one of their lungs. A patient with mesothelioma in both lungs is not usually a good candidate for a pneumonectomy. Similarly if a patient has mesothelioma in one lung but the cancer has metastasized to other organs, they may not be a suitable candidate. A person who undergoes this procedure must also be otherwise healthy, to reduce the possibility of complications that might endanger their health.

Thoracentesis:

This palliative procedure is carried out to remove fluid that has built up in the lungs of patients with pleural mesothelioma. This built-up fluid can cause considerable pain and discomfort because the fluid places pressure on the lungs, and prohibits breathing. During this procedure a very long, hollow needle is inserted to remove the fluid. A thoracentesis may be followed by a pleurodesis to prevent further fluid build-up. In some cases a thoracentesis is also a diagnostic procedure. In this case, the fluid is removed and tested for the presence of cancer cells.

Thoracoscopy:

This procedure is a diagnostic surgery used to diagnose pleural mesothelioma and other lung diseases. In this procedure an incision is made in the chest, through which a long thin tube is inserted. This allows doctors to view the interior of the pleural spaces to determine whether disease is present, and perhaps make a preliminary diagnosis. Samples of suspected cancerous tissue are usually removed so diagnostic tests can be carried out to confirm what type of disease is present.

Thoracotomy:

This generic term refers to lung surgery in which part of one or both lungs are removed. A thoracotomy may be diagnostic, curative, or palliative depending on the circumstances under which the procedure is performed.

There are three main types of thoracotomy surgery: wedge resection, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy. A wedge resection is carried out when tumors are small and localized, and involves removing a section of tissue that is as small as possible. A lobectomy involves the removal of one of the five lobes of the lungs, while a pneumonectomy involves the removal of one entire lung.

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Chemotherapy

Broadly speaking, the word chemotherapy can apply to drugs that treat disease by killing cells, but most often, it is used to describe drugs used in cancer treatment.

Most chemotherapy drugs work by targeting specific metabolic processes in cells that are dividing rapidly, and work by preventing cell division or killing these cells. The method of action of these drugs means cancer cells—which are constantly and rapidly dividing—are killed by chemotherapy drugs.

The drawback, however, is that these drugs are not specific. Rather than specifically targeting cancer cells, they target all cells that are dividing rapidly. This means that cells involved in hair growth and cells of the immune system may also be killed when a person undergoes chemotherapy. Furthermore, this means a person undergoing chemotherapy may lose their hair, and is also highly vulnerable to infections.

There are seven chemotherapeutic drugs that are most commonly used to treat mesothelioma. Most of these drugs cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, as well as hair loss and come with a higher risk of developing infections.

Deciding which chemotherapy option is best depends on factors such as the type of mesothelioma , the stage of development, and whether you have any other treatment options. Overall physical health is also important.

Alimta (AKA Premextred):

This drug is usually used in conjunction with Cisplatin to treat people with pleural mesothelioma. In most cases, people who receive this treatment are not good candidates for surgery. Treatment is administered every three weeks, and each session usually lasts around two hours. People receiving these chemotherapy drugs must take B vitamins and folate (also a B vitamin) supplements to help counteract side effects.

Cisplatin:

This chemotherapy drug is used in the treatment of several types of cancer in addition to mesothelioma. When used to treat mesothelioma it is usually used in conjunction with Alimta, as combining the two drugs makes them both more potent. Treatments are administered in two hour sessions every three weeks. Patients must take supplements of folate and other B vitamins to counteract side effects.

Carboplatin:

This drug is a modified version of Cisplatin that has reduced side effects and is generally used in conjunction with non-chemotherapy mesothelioma treatments. For example, it is often administered following surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Cisplatin is commonly administered every 28 days, but may be given more frequently in some cases.

People with impaired liver or kidney function are not usually considered candidates to receive Carboplatin treatment due to toxicity issues and side effects.

Gemcitabine:

While this drug is most often used in the treatment of lung, breast, pancreatic, and bladder cancer, it is also a treatment for pleural mesothelioma. In people with pleural mesothelioma, Gemcitabine is usually used after surgery. The surgery is carried out to remove as much of the cancer as possible, and chemotherapy treatment follows this to kill residual cancer cells the surgery could not remove.

Patients may receive Gemcitabine as often as once a week, for up to seven weeks. Depending on the circumstances some patients may be treated for more than seven weeks. A session of treatment usually takes around 30 minutes. As with Carboplatin, this drug is not safe for people who have impaired kidney or liver function.

Navelbine:

This relatively new chemotherapy drug is a semi-synthetic drug derived from the Periwinkle plant. Navelbine is usually administered once a week for several weeks, depending on the individual. This drug has produced positive results for many people with mesothelioma, and has actually been shown to slow the spread of the cancer temporarily. Most people suffer fewer unpleasant side effects when being treated with Navelbine.

Onconase:

This is another new semi-synthetic chemotherapy drug that is derived from an unusual source—the eggs and embryos of the leopard frog. Onconase has been used to treat a wide range of cancers, including mesothelioma. Clinical trials have shown promising results. Many mesothelioma patients have had increased survival times, some up to two years. The drug is administered once per week for several weeks, and each session lasts for around 30 minutes.

Heated Chemotherapy:

This type of chemotherapy treatment is very different from others. While most chemotherapy treatments are administered intravenously, heated chemotherapy is administered during surgical procedures carried out on people with peritoneal mesothelioma (this type of chemotherapy is not an option for any other types of mesothelioma).

Heated chemotherapy proceeds following surgery, which aims to remove the bulk of cancerous tumors from the peritoneal cavity. During the chemotherapy treatment the cavity is perfused with chemotherapy drugs that have been heated slightly above body temperature. The increased heat allows the drugs to penetrate deeper into the tissues. This type of treatment is particularly advantageous in patients for this reason, and because patients experience fewer side effects due to the site-specific delivery of the drugs.

Radiation

Along with surgery and chemotherapy, radiation therapy is one of the three most commonly used treatments for mesothelioma.

Radiation: The Basics

Radiation therapy uses ionizing radiation to kill or slow down the growth of cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be used as a stand-alone treatment, or in conjunction with other treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery. The exact treatment regime a given patient receives depends on the type of cancer, stage of development, and overall general health.

Radiation therapy can be used both as a curative treatment and as a palliative treatment. When used for curative reasons it is commonly administered following surgery that removes the bulk of tumors. In this case the radiation is given to kill any remaining cancer cells not removed during surgery.

In the case of palliative treatment, the cancer is usually too far advanced for surgery to be an effective treatment option. Radiation therapy is given to provide relief from pain by shrinking tumors slightly.

In terms of mesothelioma, radiation therapy is often palliative because mesothelioma cancer is aggressive and highly resistant to treatment. In addition, mesothelioma is often diagnosed too late for curative surgery to be possible. For these reasons, it is very rare for any type of mesothelioma treatment to be effective in the long term. Mesothelioma has an almost 100 percent mortality rate.

There are three main types of radiation therapy: external beam radiotherapy, unsealed source radiation therapy, and brachytherapy. Generally only external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy are used to treat mesothelioma, while unsealed source radiotherapy is used for other reasons. The type of radiation treatment patients receive depends on several factors, including the type of mesothelioma they have, the stage the disease is at, and whether they have any other treatment options.

External Beam Radiotherapy

External Beam Radiotherapy is the most commonly used type of radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer, and for mesothelioma. During this procedure, the patient sits or lies down in a position that exposes the treatment area, and a beam of radiation is directed at the treatment area.

A patient will usually receive several treatments. The net result is that the radiation kills cancer cells and limits the rate at which new cancer cells can grow and spread. However, it is not typically feasible for all tumor cells to be killed. External beam radiotherapy is usually a palliative treatment carried out to relieve pain, or is carried out in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy.

Brachytherapy

Also known as “sealed source radiation therapy,” brachytherapy involves the implantation of tiny radioactive rods in or near tumors. In addition to mesothelioma, this type of radiation therapy is used to treat breast, cervical, and prostate cancer.

The radioactive “seeds” used in brachytherapy are tiny rod-shaped objects that emit radiation in a radius of approximately one centimeter. This very short distance means that the radioactive seeds can deliver concentrated doses of radiation that can be targeted to tumors much more accurately than other types of radiation therapy. In the case of mesothelioma this is an important advantage, because the increased accuracy and penetration is useful in treating a disease that is highly resistant to treatment.

Another important advantage of this type of radiotherapy is that the concentrated and specific dose means healthy tissue is largely unaffected. A radioactive seed can be implanted in a tumor, and then emits radiation in only a one centimeter range, so the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor receives very little radiation and the patient also benefits from side effects that are much less severe. Overall, the patient is in much better health following this type of radiation therapy, and experiences fewer complications or side effects.

People with mesothelioma may receive temporary or permanent treatment, in which radioactive seeds are placed in the patient for a short time and then removed, or are placed and then left in the tumor permanently. In the latter case the seeds emit radiation for only a limited period of time, usually for three to twelve months.

Unsealed Source Radiation Therapy

This type of treatment involves giving a patient a soluble dose of a radioactive substance. It is administered orally or via an injection for the treatment of a limited number of cancers. This treatment is used rarely because people who receive unsealed source radiation actually become radioactive, and can pose a health risk to other people, particularly children and pregnant women. However, unsealed source radiation is not a treatment for mesothelioma.

Meso-Treatment_1

Treatment Options

People with mesothelioma have three main treatment options: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Experimental treatments such as photodynamic therapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy have shown promise in clinical trials. Other options include alternative and complementary treatments such as acupuncture and massage therapy, which are designed to alleviate pain and other symptoms rather than improve a patient’s prognosis.

Mesothelioma treatments are rarely used in isolation—a given patient does not usually receive only surgery, or only chemotherapy. Instead, treatment programs usually involve a combination of at least two different types of treatment. For example, a patient may undergo surgery to remove the bulk of a tumor, followed by either radiation therapy or chemotherapy to remove any remaining cancer cells. A treatment program of this type is a common option for mesothelioma patients who are strong enough to undergo surgery.

Curative versus Palliative Treatments

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that is highly resistant to treatment. In addition, it is often diagnosed in a late stage of development. This means many patients are limited to palliative treatments. These are treatments designed to relieve symptoms rather than try to cure a patient.

Curative treatments, on the other hand, are those that are carried out in hopes of curing the patient. In terms of mesothelioma, curative treatments may be carried out, but because the cancer itself is very resistant to treatment, a true cure is extremely unlikely. Mesothelioma is almost 100 percent fatal.

Conventional Mesothelioma Treatments

There are three main conventional treatments for mesothelioma: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Surgery: Surgical treatments for mesothelioma are diagnostic, curative, or palliative. Some types of surgery fall into more than one category. Diagnostic surgery involves removing a sample of tissue or fluid to test it for the presence of cancer cells. Curative surgeries remove either tumors or an organ to prevent further cancer spread. Palliative surgeries are designed to relieve pain and other symptoms.

Only curative surgery has the potential to remove all tumors, and curative surgery must usually be followed up by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, if curative surgery is to have any chance of being effective, mesothelioma must be diagnosed as early as possible.

For more information, please see “Surgery.”

Chemotherapy: Most forms of chemotherapy involve intravenous administration of drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells. However, cancer cells are not the only cell type in the body that divides rapidly. Hair cells and immunity cells do as well. This means people who receive chemotherapy often lose their hair, and become more vulnerable to infections. Only a small handful of chemotherapy drugs have any efficacy in treating mesothelioma. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma sometimes have the option to undergo a relatively new form of chemotherapy called heated chemotherapy. This treatment is carried out following surgery.

For more information on this treatment option, please see “Chemotherapy.”

Radiation: A type of radiation called ‘ionizing radiation’ is used to kill cancer cells (to prevent or slow down the spread of cancer). Radiation therapy is usually used in conjunction with surgery. In some cases it may be used as a stand-alone treatment to relieve pain for people who are not good candidates for surgery. In both cases, radiation therapy usually provides only short-term symptomatic relief.

Mesothelioma patients may receive one of two types of radiation therapy—external beam radiation therapy (where tumors are bombarded with beams of radiation to kill cancer cells), and brachytherapy (where a tumor is implanted with tiny radioactive rods).

For more information about this type of treatment, please see “Radiation.”

New or Experimental Treatments

Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic therapy is most often used to treat skin cancers, as well as pleural mesothelioma and other types of lung cancer. This treatment is most effective in patients who have localized a condition (meaning it is not suitable for people with cancer that has metastasized).

This type of therapy uses light energy to kill cancer cells. During the treatment session the patient receives an intravenous injection of a drug that makes cancer cells sensitive to light of a special wavelength. The patient is exposed to the special light—which kills the cancer cells—between one and three days following the administration of the drug.

Gene Therapy: In terms of mesothelioma treatment, this uses genetic material to target cancer cells and make them more susceptible to chemotherapeutic drugs. In one type of therapy, called suicide gene therapy, a non-infection virus is genetically modified to produce a special protein. During treatment, a patient is treated with the virus, which enters cancer cells and makes them produce the protein. The patient is then treated with a chemotherapy drug that reacts with the protein to kill the cancer cell. This type of therapy has produced promising results for mesothelioma patients, but is only available through clinical trials.

Immunotherapy: These types of treatment use the patient’s own immune system to kill cancer cells. Normally the immune system is not able to kill cancer cells because they are modified versions of the body’s own normal cells. Immunotherapy treatments “trick” the immune system into recognizing the cancer cells as harmful, so the immune system can then attack the cancer. Immunotherapy strategies involve creating specialized vaccines made in the laboratory using a patient’s tumor cells. The vaccine is then given to the patient. If the treatment is successful, the patient’s immune system reacts to and destroys cancer cells. As with gene therapy, most immunotherapy treatments are considered experimental and are only available in clinical trials.

Staging

Mesothelioma Staging

Staging cancer helps doctors and specialists determine how far the disease has advanced. Information gained during staging is also important for determining the type of treatment a given patient will receive. Different types of treatment tend to be used in different stages.

Basic Staging Information

During the process of diagnosing mesothelioma, your doctor or specialist must determine the extent that the cancer has spread within the affected area and whether it has metastasized (spread to distant locations via the bloodstream). To do this, you will undergo imaging procedures such as x-ray, MRI scan, CT scan, and PET scan, which create detailed images of the inside of the body. Your specialist can then “read” these images to determine where cancer is located, and how large tumors are. Based on this information, cancer is staged, and this information is used to determine the best course of treatment.

Mesothelioma cancers, and all other cancers, are broken down into four basic stages.

Basic Stage One: The cancer is localized to one small section of the chest or abdomen (depending on the type of mesothelioma involved). The point at which the cancer first develops is called the primary tumor site.

Basic Stage Two: The cancer is said to be “advanced,” and has spread from its point of origin in the mesothelium to the organ directly beside it (in the case of pleural mesothelioma, for example, it has spread from the lining of the lungs to the lung itself).

Basic Stage Three: The cancer has spread from the mesothelium to adjacent organs, and has also spread to the lymph nodes closest to the primary tumor site.

Basic Stage Four: The cancer has metastasized to areas not adjacent to the primary tumor, usually via the bloodstream. Mesothelioma most often metastasizes to the brain, as well as other major organs.

There are various specific staging systems that are used to diagnose and treat cancers, including mesothelioma. Each of the systems uses slightly different methods of staging cancers.

Staging Systems: Butchart

The Butchart system is the oldest staging system developed, and is the one that is most commonly used to diagnose and treat mesothelioma. The Butchart system is based mainly on tumor mass, and is generally used to stage only pleural mesothelioma.

Butchart Stage One: Mesothelioma has developed in the right or left side of the chest cavity. It has not spread to the other side of the chest but may be seen in the diaphragm.

Butchart Stage Two: Cancer has been found in the lining of the heart, pleura or esophagus on both sides of the chest. Lymph nodes may be affected.

Butchart Stage Three: Mesothelioma has spread to the abdominal cavity. Lymph nodes past the chest may be affected.

Butchart Stage Four: Cancer has entered the bloodstream and spread to distant organs.

Staging Systems: TNM

The TNM System is a more modern staging system that is based on the extent of the tumor, metastasis, and lymph node involvement. This system can be used to stage both peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma.

TNM Stage One: Cancer is present in the left or right pleural membrane, and may have spread to the lung, to the lining around the heart (the pericardium), or to the diaphragm on the same side of the body. Lymph nodes are not involved at this stage.

TNM Stage Two: Mesothelioma has spread from the chest cavity to nearby lymph nodes on the same side. The cancer has also spread to the diaphragm, pericardium or the lung on the same side as the primary tumor.

TNM Stage Three: Ccancer has penetrated one or more of the chest lining, heart, esophagus, muscle, ribs, and vital organs within the chest cavity on the same side as the cancer.

TNM Stage Four: Cancer has metastasized to the opposite side of the chest from its point of origin. It may have reached the chest cavity or lungs on both sides, or has spread to vital organs in the abdomen.

Staging Systems: Brigham

The Brigham System is the newest of the four cancer staging systems. This system evaluates the stage of a cancer based on the involvement of the lymph nodes and the ability to remove tumors via surgery (this is referred to as the resectability of the tumor).

Brigham Stage One: The mesothelioma tumor is resectable and the lymph nodes are not affected.

Brigham Stage Two: The tumor is resectable, but the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Brigham Stage Three: The mesothelioma tumor is not resectable. The cancer has penetrated the chest wall, heart, abdominal cavity, or diaphragm. Lymph nodes may or may not be affected.

Brigham Stage Four: The tumor is not resectable and the cancer has entered the bloodstream and metastasized to organs and tissues distant from the primary tumor site.

Mesothelioma's Variation

Some Types of Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Every year, thousands of people are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Unfortunately, almost all cases of this rare and deadly form of cancer could have been prevented. Mesothelioma is caused by an environment substance – asbestos. Asbestos is found naturally in the ground, but poses little threat undisturbed in nature. However, during the industrial revolution, manufacturers began using asbestos in a number of products, especially those used for construction. Asbestos is a great product to use because it is fire-resistant, lightweight, flexible, durable, and cheap, but it also puts people at risk for very serious health problems. Today, the EPA regulates all use of asbestos, but this wasn’t always the case.

There are three kinds of mesothelioma, each attacking a different part of the body (the lungs, the heart, and the abdomen). While pleural mesothelioma (affecting the lungs) is the most common, peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form of mesothelioma

This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen and is predominately caused by swallowing asbestos. Of course, no one eats asbestos, and it was never an ingredient in food products, but asbestos can be accidentally consumed in a number of ways:

• Children who are teething may stick something containing asbestos in their mouths.

• If you naturally breathe through your mouth, you could swallow asbestos.

• Eating near an area contaminated with asbestos could cause asbestos fibers to settle on your food.

• Asbestos could pollute a drinking water source you use.

Asbestos is so dangerous when it enters the body partly because of the shape of its fibers. These fibers are extremely sharp and jagged, which is why your throat might feel itchy if you’re around asbestos. When you swallow these fibers, they can get stuck in and tear the peritoneum.

The peritoneum is a soft tissue lining in the abdomen. It surrounds the liver, pancreas, stomach, colon, and small intestines for protection. This lining provides a fluid that allows them to glide against one another when moving. However, when asbestos enters the body, it creates a perfect condition for the development of abnormal cells – cancer.

When peritoneal mesothelioma develops, which can happen over the course of decades, the asbestos fibers irritate the peritoneum and cause cells to multiply quickly and overproduce the fluid normally used to keep the body healthy. Therefore, one of the main symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms include weight loss (even though your waist size may increase due to the fluid), stomach pains, bowel obstruction, and fever. Some peritoneal mesothelioma patients also develop anemia, a condition that reduces the red blood cells in the body. This strains the heart and can make you feel tired. It is also dangerous if you are injured, as bleeding becomes a problem.

Peritoneal mesothelioma makes up approximately one out of every five mesothelioma cases. While it can take years or even decades to develop, in most cases, it is discovered sooner than other forms of mesothelioma, which is in part due to the build-up of fluid.

There are two types of peritoneal mesothelioma. Dry peritoneal mesothelioma reveals a tumor in the abdomen in a single location. For this kind of cancer, many times the best option is surgery to remove the mass. Wet peritoneal mesothelioma is a bit harder to treat. In this type of mesothelioma, you’ll see a number of smaller tumors growing all over the peritoneum. Surgery is also an option, and patients can also consider chemotherapy, radiation, gene therapy, and other traditional cancer treatments. For information about treatment, please see “Mesothelioma Treatment Options.”

In addition to traditional forms of treatment, there are also alternative options as well. Not that not all of these alternative therapies are recommended by all doctors. Usually, a doctor will prescribe a traditional medical treatment, but if alternative medicine interests you, make sure you talk to a licensed professional about these options as well. For mesothelioma, some of the alternative therapies being studied include ukrain, iscador, vitamin C, ozone therapy, astragalus, and cat’s claw. Techniques like medical massage, acupuncture, and acupressure may help if you’re experiencing a lot of pain due to the mesothelioma.

Whatever course of treatment you choose, make sure that you talk to a lawyer in addition to talking to medical professionals. In the vast majority of mesothelioma cases, you are not at fault for developing this condition. Companies that produced asbestos products knew about the dangers involved with this substance since the 1940s. However, asbestos was still commonly used until the 1980s, at which time it became more regulated. Employees were put at risk without consent, as were their families, since asbestos is easily transferred home on clothing or in hair. You have legal rights against those who put you at risk. Please see “Legal Issues and Mesothelioma” for more information.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects three main parts of the body – the lungs, the abdomen, and the heart. The development of mesothelioma only occurs after exposure to asbestos, a dangerous natural substance. Therefore, mesothelioma is preventable in most cases. Unfortunately, however, thousands of people have died from this deadly form of cancer and thousands more are diagnosed every year. Are you at risk? If you have been previously exposed to asbestos, you may develop mesothelioma, even if your exposure happened decades ago. By learning a bit about asbestos and mesothelioma, you can determine if you are at risk and what you should do to stay healthy.

Of all types of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma is the one that doctors least understand. Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the heart. It all starts by breathing in asbestos fibers. Asbestos was once used in a number of products because it is strong, durable, lightweight, flexible, and heat-resistant. In addition, when compared to the other options, asbestos was extremely cheap to mine, ship, and use in manufacturing. However, another of asbestos’ qualities is that it is very fibrous. Whenever asbestos rock or powder is disturbed, tiny fibers fill the air.

Although very small, asbestos fibers are extremely dangerous because they are jagged and pointy. These sharp fibers can tear tissue and become lodged in the body. This is how mesothelioma develops in the linings of the lungs and abdomen – asbestos is either breathed in or swallowed, and the fibers get stuck in the soft tissue linings of these organs. Please see “Peritoneal Mesothelioma” and “Pleural Mesothelioma” for information about these cancers.

How asbestos attacks the lining of the heart is still open for debate. The most popular theory is that some of the smaller asbestos fibers break through the lining of the lung and enter the blood stream going to the heart. When the heart pumps, the asbestos fibers get stuck in the very sensitive soft tissue lining of the heart – the pericardium. Because this is unlikely to happen, pericardial mesothelioma is extremely rare, with less than 200 new cases diagnosed every year. That also makes it hard to study and thus hard to treat. The life expectancy for a patient dealing with pericardial mesothelioma is lower than other mesothelioma patients.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops slowly over many years. In some cases, patients are not diagnosed with this cancer until 30 or more years after initial exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers just once is enough to cause cancer, but the risks greatly increase the longer you are exposed.

Because pericardial mesothelioma builds up slowly, some people miss the signs and symptoms that gradually worsen until they become a major problem. At this point, it is likely that the cancer is unable to be effectively treated, and it may have spread through the blood stream to other parts of the body. Some symptoms you should look for include the following: chest pains that worsen over time, irregular heartbeat, pressure on the chest, coughing, and shortness of breath.

If you are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, there are a number of treatment options you should discuss with your doctor. The best path depends on the advancement of the cancer and your personal preferences. Surgery is sometimes a good option, especially if you catch the mesothelioma early. However, because the cancer is located near the heart, surgery is not always an option. Instead, you can opt to try radiation or chemotherapy. Both of these traditional cancer options work at destroying cancerous cells which, left untreated, grow very quickly. For information about treatment, please see “Mesothelioma Treatment Options.”

You can also choose not to treat the cancer, which is often a decision that patients with advanced pericardial mesothelioma consider. Instead, the medical treatments done are used to make you more comfortable. Fine needle aspiration is recommended to help the heart beat and subdue any pain – this technique uses a hollow needle to drain the fluid from your chest. Medications can also be effective, and new clinical trials are testing alternative drugs to see if they are effective against mesothelioma.

If you’ve developed pericardial mesothelioma, it's important to talk with both a medical professional and a lawyer. A mesothelioma attorney can discuss your case with you and talk about your legal rights. In most cases, mesothelioma is the fault of a past employee or of someone else who knowingly put you in harm’s way without your consent. Asbestos corporations chose profit over the health of consumers and employees and, as a result, thousands of people have died. You do have legal rights in this situation to help you get the compensation you deserve to pay for medical bills, lost wages, funeral expenses, and other fees associated with mesothelioma. Please see “Legal Issues and Mesothelioma” for more information.