Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment in the USA: Causes, Signs & Latest Options

Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure, affecting the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Recognizing its symptoms early and understanding treatment options in the USA can significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Causes of Mesothelioma

The predominant cause of mesothelioma in the USA is exposure to asbestos fibers, often occurring in occupational settings such as construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing. Inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers cause inflammation and genetic damage to mesothelial cells, leading to tumor development often decades later.

Symptoms to Watch For

Mesothelioma symptoms vary depending on the affected area but commonly include:

Persistent shortness of breath

Chest pain or tightness

Chronic cough

Fatigue and weakness

Unexplained weight loss

Fluid buildup around the lungs or abdomen (pleural or peritoneal effusion)

Night sweats and fever

Difficulty swallowing or abdominal swelling (in peritoneal mesothelioma)

These early warning signs often mimic other lung or abdominal conditions, making early diagnosis challenging and highlighting the importance of medical screening for at-risk individuals.​

Latest Treatment Options in the USA
Treating mesothelioma involves multiple strategies adapted to the cancer stage, subtype, and patient health, including:

Surgery: Procedures like pleurectomy and decortication (lung-sparing) or extra pleural pneumonectomy (more radical) aim to remove tumors. Surgery is typically recommended for early-stage mesothelioma.

Chemotherapy: Standard regimens use pemetrexed combined with cisplatin or carboplatin. Adding bevacizumab or other agents may enhance effectiveness.

Immunotherapy: FDA-approved checkpoint inhibitors, such as nivolumab and ipilimumab, boost the immune response against tumors, especially in unresectable cases.

Radiation Therapy: Used postoperatively to reduce tumor recurrence or palliatively to manage symptoms like pain.

Tumor Treating Fields: A novel approach using electrical fields to disrupt cancer cell division, approved alongside chemotherapy.

Palliative Care: Focuses on symptom relief through pain management, fluid drainage, and nutritional support to improve quality of life.

Clinical Trials: Ongoing research into targeted therapies, gene and cell therapies, and novel drug combinations aims to improve survival outcomes.

Decisions about treatment are personalized and often involve multidisciplinary teams at specialized centers to optimize care.