Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Treatment Options - Surgery

2010-04-16T01:24:00.001-07:00

There are two main types of surgical treatment for pleural mesothelioma: extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy/decortication.

EPP involves the removal of the pleura, diaphragm, pericardium, and the whole lung involved with the tumor. Pleurectomy/decortication involves the removal of the pleura without removing the entire lung.

Which treatment is recommended depends on many factors, including the stage of the tumor. (The NCI has a detailed description of mesothelioma stages.) However, it is unclear if EPP provides significantly greater benefits than pleurectomy/decortication, and indeed if either is significantly more effective than non-surgical options.

A recent study followed about 400 mesothelioma patients who, between 1983 and 1998, had pleurectomy/decortication, or extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP), or thoracotomy. The results indicate that no one type of surgery was more effective than another in extending the survival rate. Rather, other factors seemed to determine how long people survived. These factors included the stage and cell type of the tumor, the gender of the patient, and the type of treatment(s) given together with the surgery. Click here for the text of this study.

Surgery can provide symptomatic relief and sometimes the bulk of the tumor can be removed. Surgery is often used in combination with other treatments (known as multi-modal treatments), but its value is very limited if the tumor is near any vital organs.

Both EPP and pleurectomy/decortication are complex surgeries, not performed frequently by most surgeons. They require referral to centers dedicated to such treatments. Many of these centers also specialize in other forms of mesothelioma treatment, either alone or in combination (multi-modal therapy.) You should discuss referrals with your doctor.

Asbestos and The Lungs - What Happens When We Breathe?

2010-04-16T01:22:00.001-07:00

When we take a deep breath, the air goes down the wind-pipe (or trachea) into the middle of the chest. There the trachea divides into two, then four, then eight - and finally, hundreds of thousands of little airways (or bronchi and bronchioles) in each lung. At the end of each airway is a tiny sac (or alveolus.) Healthy lungs have hundreds of millions of these sacs (or alveoli.)

An upside-down oak tree provides a good example: The wind-pipe is like the large trunk which divides countless times into branches (airways) and twigs (small airways), until at the end of every twig there is a leaf (alveolus). As the wind blows, the leaves move.

Similarly, the air we inhale moves all the way through the lungs to the alveoli. The oxygen in that deep breath is transported through the walls of the alveoli into the red blood cells in the blood vessels (capillaries) that surround each alveolus.

The heart then pumps the oxygen-rich blood through the body and we are able to do things like run up a hill, throw a ball, or surf the web.

One of the by-products of all this web-surfing and ball-throwing, is the build-up of "exhaust fumes" (carbon dioxide) in the body's cells. Red blood cells pick up the carbon dioxide in place of the oxygen they deliver.

Thus, there are two processes at work as we breathe in and breathe out. Blood vessels transport blood that is rich in carbon dioxide and poor in oxygen to the alveoli. And, in the reverse process, the carbon dioxide goes out through the walls of the alveoli, into the airways, and, as we breathe out, back up the trachea.

The lungs expand and contract as we breathe in and out, whereas our ribs are fairly immobile. The pleura, or lining around the outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs, has some lubricating fluid. It allows the lungs and ribs to slide over each other comfortably. It is easy to imagine that, if the pleura is damaged or inflamed, every breath becomes very painful.

However, when we are healthy, breathing is easy - so easy we don't even think about it.

What are Asbestos-related Diseases?

2010-04-16T01:21:00.001-07:00

There are several different kinds of diseases that are related to previous exposure to asbestos fibers, and they can be categorized in various ways:

Some are malignant (or cancerous), such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Others are benign (non-malignant or non-cancerous), such as asbestosis, pleural plaques, diffuse pleural fibrosis, and benign pleural effusions.
Some are increasingly and severely disabling, often leading to death, like mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer; and others are less so, such as pleural plaques and thickening, which rarely produce symptoms or disability.

Some are very clearly and directly attributable to exposure to asbestos, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. For others, such as gastro-intestinal tract cancers, the causal connection to asbestos exposure is one that appears probable but has not yet been proven with certainty.

The diseases for which asbestos exposure is a generally accepted cause are mesothelioma, asbestosis, small airway fibrosis, scarring, pleural plaques, pleural fibrosis, pleural effusion, and many lung cancers. Diseases for which asbestos exposure is not at this time generally accepted as the cause, include cancers of the kidney, GI tract and ovary.

Each of these asbestos-related diseases can only be diagnosed through medical examinations and tests. If you were exposed to asbestos it does not mean that you therefore must have, or will have, an asbestos-caused disease. But it does mean that you should:

    * be vigilant about your health,
    * receive regular medical care and check-ups, and
    * tell your doctor about your asbestos exposure.

Asbestos News from Coast to Coast

2010-03-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

Here is Mesothelioma Cases that ever happen:

Merlin Olsen Dead at 69
Merlin Olsen, the Pro Football Hall of Famer who had a distinguished career as a member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" defensive squad in the 1960s, died earlier this week from mesothelioma. Olsen went on to television acting and a sports broadcasting career after he retired from the NFL.

He was well known for his TV acting roles, most notably in the shows "Little House on the Prairie" and "Father Murphy". Along with veteran broadcaster Dick Enberg, he covered college football games for NBC throughout the 1980s.

Olsen stated that he had contracted the disease, which attacks the protective fluid lining the lungs, from exposure to asbestos. He said that he had worked at several construction sites during his formative years, where he was exposed to the hazardous mineral. At the time, construction firms used asbestos extensively in insulation, adhesives and fireproofing materials. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma typically do not display symptoms until several decades after the initial exposure period. Olsen was sixty-nine years old.

New York Luxury Apartment Building Has Asbestos "Chunks"
Residents of a luxury apartment complex on Manhattan's Upper West Side claim that their $10,000-per-month apartments are falling apart and that "chunks" of asbestos can be seen in the corridors. Tenants of the Apthorp building contracted an independent investigator to conduct environmental tests on the site. The tests found that the levels of both asbestos and lead in the air system were substantially over the limits set by EPA guidelines and that the building poses "an imminent hazard" to its residents.

Tenants have also taken proactive measures to track the progress made during a recent remodeling project ordered by the building's new owners. One resident took a cell phone photo of a construction worker who pushed asbestos-laced debris across the floor with a broom. Also, the worker was not wearing the required protective clothing and breathing masks. Federal air quality and worker safety regulations specify that asbestos dust must be vacuumed and sealed in special containers to prevent workers from inhaling the hazardous dust.

Asbestos Found SDSU Student Center
The Aztec Center, the student union building on the campus of San Diego State University, contains asbestos in several rooms, according to a report from the school's physical plant. When the site was constructed in the 1960s, asbestos was a major component in adhesives used to glue ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and rubber wall moldings. Center Director Lynn Cacha said that the building has several issues, including electrical and plumbing problems, but the asbestos does not pose a health hazard at this point.

Student government officials have stated that the Aztec Center is too small and does not provide adequate services to the growing student population. Cacha said that any renovation or expansion project on the building would bring up "lots of compliance issues". If workers were to remove the asbestos adhesives during any remodeling processes, the building would have to be quarantined and crews would need to take special precautions to prevent students, faculty and staff from becoming exposed to the dangerous dust.

Treatment Options for Mesothelioma Patients

2009-11-25T16:40:00.000-08:00

Your medical team will consider several factors in plotting a course of treatment:

* Your age.
* Your current health status.
* The stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis.
* The location and size of the tumor.

Given these particulars, oncologists may recommend different mesothelioma treatment options for different people. The preferences of the mesothelioma patient and his / her family also are considered in creating a treatment plan. Therefore, it is important for everyone involved to fully understand all available options, and then make a personal decision on what is right in their particular case.

A mesothelioma treatment plan should be overseen by an oncologist. This is a doctor who specializes in cancer treatment and is more likely to be familiar with mesothelioma than the most physicians. Because of the rarity of this disease, it is encouraged that patients seek an opinion from a mesothelioma specialist. Contact us if you need help finding a mesothelioma specialist.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments; many are intended to attack the cancer cells while others address symptoms such as difficulty in breathing and pain. Most patients want to pursue aggressive cancer treatment initially. If the mesothelioma is diagnosed early in its development, this may be the best approach.
Conventional Treatment of Mesothelioma

There are three forms of malignant mesothelioma. The most common is pleural mesothelioma, followed by peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lung, peritoneal mesothelioma, the abdominal cavity and pericardial mesothelioma, the lining around the heart. For more information on these diseases, please contact us through the form below or by calling us at the toll-free number above.

The traditional treatments for malignant mesothelioma include:

* Surgery (removing the cancer).
* Chemotherapy (using drugs to fight the cancer).
* Radiation Therapy (using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill the cancer cells).

Often two or more of these treatment regimens are combined. Although we classify them as "traditional" treatments, there are many exciting and innovative developments within these treatments.

The combination of Navelbine (vinorelbine) and Platinol (cisplatin) creates a highly active palliative therapy for patients with non-resectable malignant pleural mesothelioma.

In a new study published by Danish researchers, 54 patients with newly diagnosed cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma were given the combination therapy. Two patients had complete responses and 14 others had partial responses. The median survival time for all patients was 16.8 months with a median time to tumor progression of 7.2 months. The one-year survival rate was 61 percent with a two-year survival rate of 31 percent and two patients lived more than three years.

The authors of the study concluded this treatment regimen is as effective as current therapies and may even be better than currently used chemotherapy combinations.

What Is Malignant Mesothelioma?

2009-11-24T22:23:00.000-08:00

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that starts in cells in the linings of certain parts of the body, especially the chest or abdomen. A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the inside of the chest, the abdomen, and the space around your heart.

These cells also cover the outer surface of most of your internal organs. The lining formed by these cells is called mesothelium. The mesothelium helps protect your organs by making a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around.

For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing. The mesothelium has different names in different parts of the body:

* In the chest it is called the pleura.
* In the abdomen it is called the peritoneum.
* In the space around the heart it is called the pericardium.

Tumors of the mesothelium can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

Malignant mesothelioma
A cancerous tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma, although this is often simply shortened to just mesothelioma. Mesotheliomas can start in 4 main areas in the body.

*Pleural mesotheliomas start in the chest cavity. They account for about 3 out of 4 mesotheliomas.

*Peritoneal mesotheliomas begin in the abdomen. They make most of the remaining cases.

*Pericardial mesotheliomas start in the cavity around the heart and are very rare.

*Mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis are very rare tumors that start in the covering layer of the testicles, which is actually an outpouching of peritoneum into the scrotum.

Malignant mesotheliomas can also be classified into 3 types based on how the cells are arranged when looked at under a microscope:

* epithelioid: About 50% to 60% of mesotheliomas are of this type. It tends to have a better outlook (prognosis) than the other types.

* sarcomatoid (fibrous): About 10% to 20% of mesotheliomas are of this type.

* mixed (biphasic): These mesotheliomas have both epithelioid and sarcomatoid areas. They make up about 30% to 40% of mesotheliomas.

Benign tumors of the mesothelium

It is important not to confuse malignant mesothelioma with benign tumors that also start in the mesothelium.

Adenomatoid tumor: This benign tumor can develop in the mesothelium of certain female and male reproductive organs. In men, it often starts in the epididymis (a small collection of ducts that carry sperm cells out of the testicle). In women, this tumor may begin in the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus or womb).

Benign cystic mesothelioma: This is another non-cancerous tumor that may begin in mesothelium near female reproductive organs.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: This type of benign tumor can form in the pleura surrounding the lungs. It used to be called benign fibrous mesothelioma, but doctors now know that this tumor actually starts from tissue under the mesothelium and not from mesothelial cells. This disease is usually benign, but about 1 in 10 are cancerous. A similar disease starting in the peritoneum is called solitary fibrous tumor of the peritoneum.

These benign tumors are typically removed by surgery, and there is usually no need for additional treatment.

Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers

2009-11-24T22:18:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

1. What is the mesothelium?
The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

2. What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

3. How common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.

4. What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney. Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

5. Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure. The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases. There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.

6. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

7. How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed. A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary. If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment. Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.

8. How is mesothelioma treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined. * Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

* Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).

* Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).

To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.

9. Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?
Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.

Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma

2009-05-22T22:38:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:
* chest wall pain
* pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
* shortness of breath
* fatigue or anemia
* wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
* blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)

In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body. Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
* abdominal pain
* ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
* a mass in the abdomen
* problems with bowel function
* weight loss

In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:
* blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
* disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
* jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
* low blood sugar level
* pleural effusion
* pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
* severe ascites

A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

Mesothelioma Treatment

2009-05-22T22:35:00.000-07:00

Once an individual has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the next step is to discuss mesothelioma treatment options with his/her physician. Recent scientific research has produced significant breakthroughs with regard to treatment protocols for mesothelioma patients and more options are now available for managing the disease and supporting improved quality of life.

Newly diagnosed patients always have many questions about the treatment options that would be most effective for them, including those about new treatment therapies like Alimta and Cisplatin and other chemotherapy drugs. In addition to these newer drugs that are being used to treat asbestos cancer, mesothelioma patients also have a number of "conventional" treatment options to consider, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

Clinical trials and experimental treatments are still other options that some mesothelioma patients may be eligible to participate in. Our site features a comprehensive mesothelioma cancer treatment section that includes important information for patients and families. We've included resources on top mesothelioma doctors such as Dr. Sugarbaker, as well as a comprehensive list of questions that you may wish to discuss with your personal physician when preparing a treatment plan.

We are always providing new and informative resources regarding mesothelioma treatment including: Clinical Trials, conventional treatments, experimental therapies, and more. Check back often for the most recent advances in mesothelioma treatments

Mesothelioma What is that?

2009-05-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs.

Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart, the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways.

Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases risk of other asbestos-induced cancer. Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).

The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies.

It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.