Mesothelioma FAQ's
This FAQ section is intended only for informational
use. Therefore, this information is not to be
taken in any way as legal advice, but merely
to educate you somewhat on the very basic tenets
of this complicated and area of the law. Please
contact a licensed attorney within your jurisdiction
for both legal and procedural advice.
- What is Mesothelioma?
- The National Cancer Institute states that: "Malignant
mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease
in which cancer (malignant) cells are found
in the sac lining the chest (the pleura) or
the abdomen (the peritoneum).
- How do you get Mesothelioma?
- Most people with malignant mesothelioma have
worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos.
Others have been exposed to asbestos in a household
environment, often without knowing it.
- How much exposure does it take to get the disease?
- An exposure of as little as one or two months
can result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later.
- How long does it take after exposure for the
disease to show up?
- People exposed in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and 70s
are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma because
of the long latency period of asbestos disease.
- How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
- Mesothelioma is diagnosed by pathological examination.
Tissue is removed, put under the microscope,
and a pathologist makes a definitive diagnosis,
and issues a pathology report. This is the end
of a process that usually begins with symptoms
that send most people to the doctor: a fluid
build-up or pleural effusions, shortness of
breath, pain in the chest, or pain or swelling
in the abdomen. The doctor may order an x-ray
or CT scan of the chest or abdomen. If further
examination is warranted, the following tests
may be done:
Thoracoscopy
For pleural mesothelioma the doctor may look
inside the chest cavity with a special instrument
called a thoracoscope. A cut will be made through
the chest wall and the thoracoscope will be
put into the chest between two ribs. This test
is usually done in a hospital with a local anesthetic
or painkiller.
If fluid has collected in your chest, your doctor
may drain the fluid out of your body by putting
a needle into your chest and use gentle suction
to remove the fluid. This is called thoracentesis.
Peritoneoscopy
For peritoneal mesothelioma the doctor may also
look inside the abdomen with a special tool
called a peritoneoscope. The peritoneoscope
is put into an opening made in the abdomen.
This test is usually done in the hospital under
a local anesthetic.
If fluid has collected in your abdomen, your
doctor may drain the fluid out of your body
by putting a needle into your abdomen and using
gentle suction to remove the fluid. This process
is called paracentesis.
Biopsy
If abnormal tissue is found, the doctor will
need to cut out a small piece and have it looked
at under a microscope. This is usually done
during the thoracoscopy or peritoneoscopy, but
can be done during surgery.
NOTE: Results based on analysis of fluid are
not very reliable. Analysis of tissue is much
more reliable. Mesothelioma is a very complicated
diagnosis. Many hospitals send the pathology
off to experts. For a list of expert pathologists,
call the MW toll-free at 1-877-367-6376 or send
e-mail at the bottom of this page.
- What is the prognosis for mesothelioma?
- Like most cancers, the prognosis for this disease
often depends on how early it is diagnosed and
how aggressively it is treated.
- Is there any promising research or are there
promising drugs for mesothelioma?
- Research is being conducted at various cancer
centers all over the United States. There are
no research results, however, that conclusively
offer a cure to the disease.
|