Pleural mesothelioma (asbestos) is a very common type of mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of an individual’s lungs (pleura). Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and pain in the chest. Pleural mesothelioma can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Pleural mesothelioma can take up to 20 years before symptoms begin to show.
Peritoneal mesothelioma (peritoneal mesothelioma) is another common form of mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma can affect any part of the abdomen, and the disease does not tend to spread. When peritoneal mesothelioma occurs, fluid may accumulate in and around the abdomen, causing pain and weight loss. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms tend to become less noticeable over time. Cancer treatments for peritoneal mesothelioma are similar to those used for non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
As with all forms of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, the survival rate for individuals with this form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma is lower than that of those with other forms of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This is due in part to the increased difficulty of detecting this disease early. In addition, because the prognosis for survival from peritoneal mesothelioma varies so greatly depending upon the type and extent of the cancer, the outlook for a patient’s quality of life also varies greatly. The outlook for a patient’s quality of life can improve slightly if additional treatment is administered, the cancer is caught at an earlier stage, or the patient has a strong immune system.
Peritoneal mesothelioma patients who have a high quality of life expectancy can expect to live about one year less than those with a low to medium quality of life expectancy. This difference in life expectancy can be as large as a couple of years. Life expectancy can increase or decrease based upon the type and extent of the cancer. For example, solid tumors generally give life expectancy much more than non-solid tumors. The survival rate for people with a life expectancy of more than a year is about 90%.
As the cancer progresses through its various stages, the effectiveness of treatments can decrease as well. Age, general health, overall appearance, general surgical health, and the suitability of surgery often have a direct impact on the quality of life affording a patient with a mesothelioma diagnosis. Quality of life in this area can be improved with additional treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
In some individuals, asbestos exposure may increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. In these individuals, this exposure is associated with increased risks of pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Men more often than women develop mesothelioma. Also, asbestos exposure tends to cause more rapid development of peritoneal mesothelioma than other types of mesothelioma. People with a family history of mesothelioma are more at risk than others.
