Mesothelioma
মেসোথেলিওমা
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin lining (a membrane) that covers the outer surface of many organs in the body. It also lines the spaces (cavities) inside the body, such as the chest cavity and the abdominal cavity.
The mesothelium goes by different names depending on where it sits. In the chest, it's called the pleura. In the tummy (abdomen), it's called the peritoneum.
Cancer of the mesothelium is properly called malignant mesothelioma, but most people just say mesothelioma.
In the UK, more than 2,700 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma
Mesothelioma doesn't look the same in everyone, because the symptoms depend on whether it starts in the pleura or in the peritoneum.
With pleural mesothelioma, you may notice:
- shortness of breath
- chest pain that feels heavy, dull or aching
- a high temperature (fever) and heavy sweating at night
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- weight loss
- loss of appetite
- a cough that does not go away.
How mesothelioma is diagnosed
If you have symptoms of mesothelioma, you'll usually start by seeing your doctor. They'll ask about your symptoms and examine you. They may also ask whether you've been exposed to asbestos in the past.
Depending on the results of any tests, your doctor may refer you to hospital for further tests. You may need several different tests before your doctor can make a diagnosis.
Tests for pleural mesothelioma
If your doctor suspects pleural mesothelioma, you may have some of these tests:
- chest X-ray
- CT scan
- pleural aspiration
- pleural biopsy
Treatment for mesothelioma
A team of specialists meets to talk about the best treatment for your mesothelioma. They are called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse will explain the different treatments and their side effects. They will also talk to you about the things you should consider when making treatment decisions.
Pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are treated in different ways. For both types, you may have treatments that support you by helping to control symptoms. You may also have treatment as part of a clinical trial.
Treatment for pleural mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma may be treated with:
- chemotherapy
- radiotherapy
- surgery
- immunotherapy
Treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma can be treated in a few different ways. The options may include:
- chemotherapy
- surgery
- HIPEC
Coping with advanced cancer
For some people with mesothelioma, the main aim of treatment is to control symptoms. Both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma can have their symptoms controlled in many ways.
Your cancer doctor, specialist nurse or doctor can help you manage your symptoms. They may refer you to a palliative care team.
These teams specialise in managing symptoms and giving emotional support to you and your family. Palliative care teams have specialist nurses who can sometimes visit you at home.
After mesothelioma treatment
When your mesothelioma treatment has finished, your hospital doctor, your own doctor or a specialist nurse will arrange regular check-ups for you. They'll keep watching your symptoms and see whether you need any more treatments to help control them.
If you have any problems, or you notice new symptoms between check-ups, tell your doctor as soon as you can.
If you think you need extra help at home, say so to the doctors or nurses looking after you. They can look at what you need and organise extra support. They can also arrange for you to see a physiotherapist if you need help with moving about, or advice on breathing exercises.