Causes
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects a thin tissue layer that covers your internal organs (mesothelium). It happens when asbestos fibres get into your lungs, usually at work or when fixing up your house, if handling materials that contain asbestos. Around 90% of the time, it affects the lining around your lungs. Sometimes, it can affect your belly, and rarely, it can affect other places.
Symptoms
It takes a long time for mesothelioma to show up after exposure to asbestos: 20 to 60 years, usually around 40 years.
The symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Losing weight without trying
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion)
Getting a diagnosis
Talk to your doctor about your health history and any jobs you’ve had, especially if you worked with anything dangerous that you might have breathed in. Your doctor will likely send you to a specialist doctor.
You may need several tests, including:
- Physical exam
- Lung function tests (breathing tests to measure how well your lungs work
- Chest x-ray
- CT scan
- Lung biopsy
- Sputum (phlegm) test for cancer cells
- PET scan
- Blood test.
Workplace exposure checklist
Use our checklist to help you talk to your doctor about harmful workplace exposures, like asbestos. It’ll help you remember each of the important things to talk about.
Recently diagnosed with mesothelioma
If you’ve just found out you have mesothelioma, it might feel like a lot to deal with. We’re here to help you take things step by step to understand what’s happening and how you might be feeling, and to connect you to support.
Treatment
While mesothelioma is often hard to treat, it can be managed for months or years. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or a mix of these. Other things can help slow it down and improve your day-to-day life. You’ll probably see a lung cancer specialist (oncologist, radiation oncologist or lung cancer surgeon).
- Chemotherapy: Medications that aim to kill cancer cells. They are given through a drip or as tablets. There are many combinations of chemotherapy drugs.
- Radiotherapy (radiation therapy): Uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells by targeting their DNA. It’s usually done several times a week for weeks. A new type called proton therapy is currently being tested.
- Pleurodesis: Surgery for fluid on the lungs. It helps stop the fluid from coming back and causing breathlessness. It’s not a cure, but it can help you breathe easier.
- Immunotherapy: Helps your body’s natural defences to fight cancer. It’s usually given through a drip by itself or with other treatments, including chemotherapy.
- Surgery: Sometimes the tumour can be partly or completely removed.
Living with mesothelioma
Even though most occupational lung diseases often can’t be cured, there are things you can do to manage your symptoms and improve how you feel. These include avoiding any further exposure, making healthier choices and exercising regularly. Find out more about living with an occupational lung disease, such as mesothelioma.
Lung Cancer Specialist Nurse
Our experienced nurses provide information, support and care for people living with, or undergoing a diagnosis of, lung cancer or mesothelioma. Call 1800 654 301 for a free telephone appointment or book online.
Resources
Living with occupational lung disease booklet
Occupational lung disease and compensation resource
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