Health Network News

Malignant mesothelioma is caused by tumors growing on the mesothelium, which is the thin protective sac surrounding the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium.) Mesothelioma is typically due to exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was once widely used in many industrial products, such as insulation, ceiling and roofing materials, brake linings, and wall panelings. Each year in the United States up to 3,000 new cases are diagnosed. Numbers are even higher in other areas of the world.

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. Most diagnosis occurs when patients are in their 50’s to 70’s as there is a long latency period between the initial time of exposure and the development of symptoms. In addition, mesothelioma is often mistakenly identified as another type of cancer or respiratory illness. Because of these issues, most mesotheliomas are not diagnosed until after the disease has progressed to advanced stages.

For many mesothelioma patients and their family members, there are months of struggle in finding out the diagnosis and then going through medical interventions, only to find out that the cancer is too advanced for further treatment. “Advanced mesothelioma” means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and can not be cured or is beyond the stage of responding to any kind of therapy.

It can be devastating to learn that your disease is untreatable and that your life expectancy is very short. Accepting that most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma typically have less than a year to live is very difficult for everyone.

Once over the initial shock, there are some things that a patient and caregiver can do to help during such difficult times. One is to learn as much as possible about what to expect and also explore options where choices do exist. Another is to continue to demand excellent care from your medical team and on-going support from others. Talking about any concerns, as well as any regrets and specific wishes you may have can be very helpful. Make sure to write down how you wish to live and how you wish to die, and enlist the help of others to make sure this happens. Having a support group to share any feelings and express grief can be hugely supportive.

In addition, make sure to investigate whether any therapies exist to either slow the advancement of mesothelioma or to help manage side effects and pain. Hospice workers and palliative care nurses have a wealth of knowledge about how to increase comfort and decrease pain. Ask your treating physician for advice and information about what options exist in your area or online.

Standard therapies (radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery), alternative treatments, hospice and/or home care are the typical options for patients diagnosed with Stage IV mesothelioma. Usually your medical team, made up of doctors, nurses, family members and yourself, will make choices based upon your specific situation and needs. Advance care directives will help to make sure that everyone follows your wishes about treatments and interventions up until the end.

Mesothelioma, like most cancers, takes an emotional and physical toll on everyone. Although having conversations about dying can be uncomfortable to initiate, it can ensure that patients as well as loved ones have more control, dignity and peace throughout the process. A good network of support and well thought out strategies can help. Financial, legal and emotional burdens for loved ones can be lessened by advanced planning. As difficult as it can be to talk about death, being able to do so will benefit everyone.

Being diagnosed with advanced stage mesothelioma is challenging. For some, it is also a time for resolving unfinished business, dealing with regrets, realizing what is important in life, and really feeling gratitude for the moments of kindness, peace and love that exist. Every person has their own reaction and approach to dying. It’s important to be mindful that not everyone will be comfortable expressing thoughts and emotions about approaching the end of life, and to respect individual preferences.

If you need help with the costs of medical treatments and getting financial compensation, contact an attorney who specializes in asbestos litigation and mesothelioma lawsuits. Like physicians that specialize in treating asbestos related cancers, a mesothelioma lawyer will have expertise that more effectively and quickly gets you and your family the help you need.

Many cancer patients and family members look back and wish they had had the courage to open up discussions about life and dying before the disease had progressed beyond the point where they were able to coherently do so. If you or a loved one has advanced malignant mesothelioma, please do not hesitate to start these conversations before it is too late.