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Mesothelioma E-Clinic - Your Questions and their Answers

Mesothelioma E-Clinic answers any questions you might have in your mind regarding asbestos and mesothelioma. This page aims to clear any doubts you may have regarding this deadly cancer. If you have any questions, call us today.

1- Is there any way to determine the stages of mesothelioma?

There are 3 established and recognized clinical staging systems to evaluate the spread and extent of malignant mesothelioma cancer. However, as pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly occurring one, these systems are mostly used to monitor the progress of this type of mesothelioma.

The Butchart system, TNM staging and Brigham System are the standard methods for staging systems for mesothelioma. Each of these systems checks the progress of mesothelioma according to its own standards for detecting mesothelioma tumors.

2- How can I get mesothelioma if I didn’t work in the asbestos industry?

Even if you have not worked in the asbestos industry, you can still get mesothelioma by indirect exposure. You may inhale asbestos dust and particles from the clothes, shoes, hair or other accessories of your family member or loved one who worked at asbestos industry. You could also be unknowingly exposed to asbestos if there is an asbestos plant where you live or work.

3- Is there any chance of survival if I am diagnosed with mesothelioma?

There is a 100% chance of survival even if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Early detection and proper treatment contribute towards a speedy and healthy recovery.

4- What is the best treatment available for mesothelioma patients?

Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are some of the old and best treatments for mesothelioma patients. Each of these treatments is administered keeping in mind the patient’s condition, age and severity of cancer.

5- What is the reason behind high asbestos usage?

Asbestos is a fire resistant mineral. Due to this advantage it is highly used in construction and building materials as well as other places where fire insulation is required.

6- What are the alternative mesothelioma treatments?

There are numerous alternative mesothelioma treatments and therapies which help in making people more strong emotionally and spiritually to fight this deadly cancer. They include acupuncture, massage, herbal and nutritional supplements, meditation, hypnosis and other ways and means to help people cope with their condition.

7- How can mesothelioma be benign? Isn’t it always cancerous?

No, mesothelioma can be benign too i.e. it is not always cancerous or fatal to human life. Benign mesothelioma is cystic or multicyctic with one or more tumors in the body which can occur either in the stomach or lungs. This tumor develops due to asbestos exposure but for some reason, it is not cancerous. However, if left untreated, it can turn cancerous.

8- How can I reduce mesothelioma pain without medication?

There are various methods which can help you in reducing mesothelioma pain without medication. They include support groups, relaxation techniques, music, and massage, physical and aquatic therapies which help in redirecting the patients’ energy to something other than mesothelioma pain.

9- Is mesothelioma contagious?

No, mesothelioma is not contagious. The only known agent that causes mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. It is not a disease which can be transferred by human contact, eating or sleeping together. However, if you need blood transfusion from a mesothelioma patient, consult your doctor.

10- How would I know if I am suffering from mesothelioma?

It will take a long time for you to know if you are suffering from mesothelioma. In most of the cases, it may take around 20-50 years for you to show the symptoms of mesothelioma. If you have ever worked with asbestos in the past and now exhibit the following symptoms, it means you are suffering from mesothelioma:

Shortness of breath
Pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura
Weight loss
Abdominal pain
Swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen
Bowel obstruction
Blood clotting abnormalities,
Anemia
Fever
Trouble swallowing
Swelling of the neck or face

11- How would I know where asbestos is used?

As it offers the advantage of being a fire resistant material, asbestos is used in a number of construction as well as commercial products. We have mentioned a list of products which use asbestos. They are:

Fire proofing and insulation in buildings
Insulation for pipes and boilers
Wall and ceiling insulation
Ceiling tiles
Floor tiles
Putties, caulks, and cements (such as chemical carrying cement pipes)
Roofing shingles
Siding shingles on old residential buildings
Wall and ceiling texture in older buildings and homes
Joint compound in older buildings and homes
Brake linings and clutch pads

12- If asbestos is such a harmful material, why is it still made and used?

First of all, let me tell you that asbestos is not made. It is a naturally occurring mineral which is mined in several countries all over the world. Due to its fire resistant properties, it was highly used in construction and building materials for many decades. However, when its true dangers were discovered, its usage was banned by the US and numerous other countries. It is due to the long latency period of the disease that many people are still coming up with mesothelioma.