​Mesothelioma
​About mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is rare. Our oncologists can help you fight it.
Mesothelioma is cancer that develops in the thin tissue, or mesothelium, that lines the lungs, chest wall and abdomen. The mesothelium helps protect the organs by producing a lubricating fluid that lets them move against one another. Mesotheliomas start in the chest, abdomen, heart or testicles. Most begin in the chest, and are called pleural mesotheliomas.
Age is a risk factor for mesothelioma, with most people developing the disease later in life, but the major risk factor for this type of cancer is asbestos exposure. Researchers are working to learn more about which asbestos fibers cause cancer, how they cause it, and what levels may be considered safe.
Treating mesothelioma tumors is historically difficult, although combinations of certain therapies have shown promise. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), we offer a variety of treatment options to fight the disease, and a range of supportive care therapies to help you manage your side effects.
What you should know after a mesothelioma diagnosis
Treatment for mesothelioma generally depends on where the disease started, the size of the tumor and whether it has spread. Your care team will help you determine which treatment option meets your specific diagnosis, needs and personal preferences. Treatment options may include:
Chemotherapy may be used to treat patients with advanced pleural mesothelioma and mesothelioma that cannot be surgically removed. For earlier-stage disease, chemotherapy may be used in combination with surgery and radiation therapy.
Immunotherapy may be used to treat certain types of mesothelioma. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several types of immunotherapy drugs to treat the disease.
Radiation therapy may be used to destroy cancer cells that remain after surgery.
Surgery often depends on the type of mesothelioma and whether the cancer has spread. It may be used to help remove the cancer, or it may be used to lessen symptoms of the disease.
The FDA has approved targeted therapy drugs called anti-angiogenesis drugs that stop the production of new blood vessels in an effort to deprive the tumor of oxygen.
Learn more about treatments for mesothelioma
Mesothelioma patients may experience side effects, either from the disease or its treatments. The side effects may include fatigue, skin reactions, nausea and neuropathy. Our supportive care clinicians help you manage these side effects, so you are better able to say on your treatment regimen without interruption and get back to your life. Supportive care therapies for mesothelioma may include:
​Nutritional support
Every patient has the option of meeting with a registered dietitian.
Learn about mesothelioma
Cavities in the body, sometimes called sacs, hold different internal organs, and are lined with a thin membrane called the mesothelium. The mesothelium produces fluids that lubricate the space between the organ and the cavity wall, which allows for movement during processes like breathing, when the lungs fill up with air. Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in these linings.
Mesothelioma is considered a rare disease. Around 3,000 people, most over the age of 65, are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States each year, according to the American Cancer Society. The disease is strongly associated with exposure to asbestos, a fibrous mineral used in construction materials for many years. People who have been exposed to asbestos may have inhaled tiny fibers that may remain in the lungs for 20 to 50 years. During this period of time, mesothelioma may slowly develop.
"I think, over the years, my husband Holt and I have learned to appreciate each other more. Having shared these cancer experiences and going through the recoveries has made us stronger and more grateful for the love and compassion we have for each other. And I continue to thank God every day for sending me to CTCA."
Kathleen H.
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