Mesothelioma – FAQs

Q. What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer affecting the lungs, abdomen and sometimes the heart. The cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos and the disease manifests itself in people that have come into contact with asbestos in the workplace or in their home. Asbestos fibers are very fine and there have been cases where families of workers who had been exposed to asbestos have also developed mesothelioma because the fibers were brought from the workplace on clothes or their bodies.

Q. What is asbestos and if it is dangerous, why was it used for widely?

Asbestos is a mineral. The main difference between asbestos and other minerals is that it does not crumble into dust; instead it breaks up into fine fibers, which can easily be inhaled. Although asbestos can cause chronic respiratory disease and cancer, it has been used widely in buildings because of its useful characteristics. It is strong, but flexible and fire retardant; it doesn’t conduct electricity, is a good insulator and resists corrosion. There is basically no other material that can combine all these characteristics. Only in the 1980s did the authorities ban the use of asbestos after finally realizing its hazardous potential.

Q. Is there a cure for mesothelioma? What are the treatment options?

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for mesothelioma. There are three treatment options for mesothelioma: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. In most cases, two or three of the treatments need to be combined to be effective. However, many of the treatments simply relieve symptoms and alleviate pain. Because of the aggressive nature of the disease, early detection is important.