Frequently Asked Mesothelioma Questions
If you or a family member has been exposed to asbestos or diagnosed with mesothelioma, you probably have a number of questions about what your next steps should be. We've answered some of the most common questions we receive about both asbestos and mesothelioma, but if you don't find the answer to your specific question below, please request your free copy of the book 100 Questions and Answers about Mesothelioma.
Questions:
- What is mesothelioma?
- What are the different types of mesothelioma?
- What is asbestos?
- Have I been exposed to asbestos?
- What should I do if I've been exposed to asbestos?
- How common is mesothelioma?
- How is mesothelioma treated?
- Where can I find a mesothelioma specialist?
- How do I know if I have mesothelioma?
- Why has asbestos been used for so long if it's dangerous?
- How do I know if something has asbestos in it?
- Does asbestos exposure lead to any other diseases besides mesothelioma?
- Where can I find more medical information on asbestos?
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare disease that attacks the mesothelium, or the protective sac lining that surrounds the lungs, abdomen and heart. While mesothelioma tumors can be benign, most people who refer to "mesothelioma" are talking about the cancerous type. Because mesothelioma is a rare cancer with symptoms that can take up to 50 years to appear, it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Learn more about mesothelioma from Mary Hesdorffer, a mesothelioma expert from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
What are the different types of mesothelioma?
There are three main types of mesothelioma, all of which are caused by asbestos exposure:
- Pleural Mesothelioma
Accounting for about 70 to 80 percent of all cases, pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of mesothelioma. This disease starts in the chest cavity, attacking the "pleura," or the outer lining of the lungs. Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain and pleural effusion. - Peritoneal Mesothelioma
About 20 to 30 percent of mesothelioma cases are peritoneal mesothelioma. This disease attacks the mesothelium that surrounds the stomach. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms [LINK TO http://www.simmonsfirm.com/practices-info-peritoneal-mesothelioma.html] include abdominal pain and swelling as well as nausea, vomiting and weight loss. - Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is by far the rarest type of mesothelioma, accounting for only about 1 to 6 percent of all cases. Less than a thousand cases have been documented worldwide. This disease develops in the pericardium, the lining that surrounds the heart, and can result in chest pan, shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in products ranging from insulation to automobile brakes due to its heat and corrosion-resistant properties. Unfortunately, asbestos fibers have been linked to a number of diseases including asbestosis and mesothelioma. These fibers are dangerous when inhaled or swallowed, and are much too small to be seen with the naked eye. Once they are inhaled or ingested, they can get caught in the lining of the lungs or abdomen and lay dormant for decades before causing problems.
Have I been exposed to asbestos?
Because asbestos has been used in thousands of products over the years, it is very possible that you've been exposed to asbestos at some point during your life. While some people are exposed to asbestos in their home, especially when removing or installing products that contain asbestos, most asbestos exposure occurs in the workplace.
Occupations that carry a high risk of asbestos exposure include electricians, power plant workers, pipe fitters and manufacturers. In some cases, family members of workers in these industries have also contracted mesothelioma through "paraoccupational" or take-home asbestos exposure. See our list of occupations with the greatest exposure to asbestos.
What should I do if I've been exposed to asbestos?
If you believe you've been exposed to asbestos, it is important to share this information with your doctor and schedule regular checkups. Symptoms of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases may not appear for decades, and regular checkups can catch these symptoms in their earliest stages. Also, because mesothelioma shares symptoms with so many other diseases, it can be extremely difficult to diagnose. Knowledge of your history might be able to help your doctor diagnose any asbestos-related condition you develop.
If you work at an occupation that presents a high risk of asbestos exposure, take extra safety precautions. Do your best to stay away from asbestos products and always wear extra protective gear. Finally, stop smoking. Doctors believe smoking can raise one's chances of developing mesothelioma.
How common is mesothelioma?
Fortunately, mesothelioma is an extremely rare cancer. Less than 3,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States. Researchers believe that the number of mesothelioma cases will level out and eventually drop dramatically because many manufacturers have taken steps to protect the population from the dangers of asbestos in recent decades.
How is mesothelioma treated?
Doctors generally use a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and experimental treatments to treat mesothelioma.
- Surgery is perhaps the most effective mesothelioma treatment. It is usually only used to treat mesothelioma that has not yet metasized or spread across the lung or abdomen.
- Chemotherapy can be effective at stopping or slowing the spread of mesothelioma. It is generally used in combination with either surgery or radiation.
- Radiation is most effective at soothing the symptoms of mesothelioma. Because mesothelioma tumors usually spread across a large area, however, radiation treatments are rarely effective at fighting the disease itself.
- Experimental mesothelioma treatments are constantly being developed by doctors and researchers. To help mesothelioma patients willing to try new treatments, the National Cancer Institute provides an online database of clinical trials across the country.
Where can I find a mesothelioma specialist?
Because mesothelioma is such a rare disease, it must be treated by a mesothelioma specialist. Few oncologists have the experience or the resources needed to effectively diagnose or treat mesothelioma patients.
If you've been diagnosed with this disease, one of the best places to find a mesothelioma specialist is a university hospital center. At these research centers, you'll be more likely to not only find a doctor who is familiar with your disease, but also a research group that can offer experimental treatments. For more help finding a mesothelioma specialist in your area, contact the Simmons firm at (866) 468-8631.
How do I know if I have mesothelioma?
Because mesothelioma shares symptoms with many diseases that are much more common, it can be extremely difficult to diagnose. In fact, there is no single symptom exclusive to mesothelioma. Some pleural mesothelioma symptoms, for example, include shortness of breath, wheezing, weight loss, chest pain and pleural effusion – all symptoms also associated with dozens of common respiratory problems. Because of this, the process of ruling out other diseases can take a number of months and usually includes physical exams, imaging tests, x-rays, blood tests and tissue samples.
Why has asbestos been used for so long if it's dangerous?
Even though corporations have known for at least a century that asbestos is extremely deadly, even when used in moderation, they decided to ignore the facts because they fell in love with asbestos's unique properties. The mineral is unbelievably resistant to heat and corrosion, making it perfect for use in products that have to withstand a lot of heat. This lead to asbestos products being installed in everything from U.S. Navy ships to machine shops to home insulation. It took lawsuits from mesothelioma victims that resulted in bankruptcy for asbestos companies to convince corporations to start seeking alternatives to asbestos in their products.
How do I know if something has asbestos in it?
One study estimated that 3,000 different types of commercial products once contained asbestos. Unless a material is specifically labeled, however, it can be difficult to determine whether it contains asbestos or not simply by looking at it. You can browse a list of asbestos products, but not every product on the list always contains asbestos.
If you're not sure whether or not a material contains asbestos, you should always treat it as if it does contain asbestos. If you want to find out for sure, give the product to a professional. Never take samples yourself, because it can be extremely easy to release asbestos into the air if you handle it wrong.
Does asbestos exposure lead to any other diseases besides mesothelioma?
Asbestos can lead to a number of diseases, most notably asbestosis and asbestos lung cancer. Asbestosis is more common than mesothelioma and often develops after years of occupational asbestos exposure. While this disease is not as fatal as mesothelioma, it will cause coughing, difficulty breathing and permanent lung damage. Asbestos lung cancer is different from mesothelioma because it starts in the lungs themselves rather than the pleural lining. Once asbestos lung cancer develops, it behaves similarly to most other types of lung cancers.
Where can I find more medical information on asbestos?
Your doctor is the best person to talk to with any type of medical questions. If you are worried about mesothelioma or any other type of asbestos diseases, schedule an appointment with your doctor and come prepared with your medical and occupational history as well as any questions you'd like to be answered. The Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation can also connect you with Mary Hesdorffer, a Nurse Practitioner with the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation who specializes in working with mesothelioma patients and their families. Finally, we can provide you with a free copy of the excellent book 100 Questions and Answers about Mesothelioma that answers many patient and family mesothelioma questions from a number of perspectives.
For more information about mesothelioma or asbestos, please call us today at (866) 404-5805.
