Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops after being exposed to a toxic substance called asbestos. Many people were unknowingly exposed to asbestos for the majority of the 20th century. It usually takes between 20 and 50 years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure, making the disease more common for seniors than younger age groups.
Out of the 3,300 people diagnosed each year, a large majority of cases involve seniors between the ages of 50 and 70. A patient is usually diagnosed after receiving a biopsy, which occurs after imaging tests show the presence of abnormalities in the linings of the lungs, abdomen or heart. Common symptoms include a persistent cough and pneumonia-like effects.
Depending on the stage, a typical mesothelioma prognosis can be anywhere from a couple of months to a few years. With aggressive treatment and an early diagnosis, there are situations where patients can extend their life expectancy. Treatments vary depending on each case and can include surgery, chemotherapy or a mix of the two.
The dangers of asbestos installation may increase your risk for cancers of the digestive system, including colon cancer.
Asbestos is the only scientifically proven cause of mesothelioma. Here are the main types of exposure that could increase your chances of developing mesothelioma.
On-the-Job Exposure
Many occupations involved for decades the use of, and exposure to, asbestos. Before commercial production and use of the carcinogen was regulated, companies often used the mineral on an everyday basis. They relied on this material due to its fire-resistant properties and cheap production costs, two appealing traits that led many companies to ignore the dangers. Thus, these greedy corporations harmed anyone working around it.
People who worked in the military, automobile trades and construction industry were likely affected the most. Professions such as shipyard workers or electricians were other occupations highly exposed.
Most, if not all, of the branches in the military used asbestos materials heavily. Asbestos was a readily available material that had insulating and fire-retardant properties, which made it perfect for naval vessels or vehicles. Today, veterans make up one-third of mesothelioma patients, the largest group of people diagnosed with the disease. Many occupations in the military put veterans at high risk of asbestos exposure. These include boilerman, construction engineers and shipyard workers.
Natural Exposure
Asbestos is a mineral that can be found underground. When undisturbed, it does not pose a threat. However, if disturbed and above ground, it could release fibers into the air or soil. Although it’s a rare cause for disturbing asbestos, run-off land erosion can also play a role in contaminating water supplies such as rivers and lakes with asbestos particles.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, people near natural asbestos deposits should take precautions because they could be exposed by digging or shoveling dirt. Running, biking or off-roading on unpaved surfaces can also cause asbestos fibers to be released into the air.
Second-Hand Exposure
Some mesothelioma patients never worked around asbestos, but they still could have been exposed. Many people went to work in occupations that used asbestos heavily up until the 1980s. These men and women were not only being exposed to asbestos on a daily basis but also unknowingly bringing asbestos fibers back into their homes.
This form of exposure is called secondhand exposure and put the worker’s family members and friends at risk, as this toxic substance could easily be transferred from clothing and hair. Even the simple task of doing laundry could have indirectly led to breathing in asbestos fibers.
Top 5 Treatment Options for Seniors with Mesothelioma
Seniors diagnosed with mesothelioma have a variety of options when it comes to treatment. The type of care your loved one receives will be determined after a doctor or specialist evaluates them. Since each person’s diagnosis is unique, treatment will vary on an individual basis. While there is no specific treatment that cures mesothelioma, an early diagnosis and aggressive treatment can lead to your loved one going into remission.
Here are the top mesothelioma treatment options available for seniors.
1. Surgery
The primary treatment method for seniors with mesothelioma is surgery. There are various surgical procedures available, each one depending on the type of mesothelioma your loved one has.
The main goal of surgery is to remove as much as the disease as possible. However, when combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation, results can be even more effective. Surgery is an invasive approach to treating mesothelioma and some doctors may not recommend this method as there could be complications. You or your loved one should find a surgeon that specializes in mesothelioma procedures, as they can operate with fewer complications.
2. Chemotherapy
One of the standard types of treatment is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves anti-cancer drugs and can be used in seniors who have any stage of malignant mesothelioma. The main purpose of these drugs is to kill mesothelioma cells and prevent their spreading, which will shrink the tumors.
There are a variety of chemotherapy drugs that may work for your loved one. The two chemotherapy drugs approved for mesothelioma by the United States Food and Drug Administration are cisplatin and pemetrexed. Others used in clinical trials and on an experimental level include: vinorelbine, gemcitabine, carboplatin and doxorubicin.
If one drug stops showing positive results, then the doctor may try something else or use a combination of drugs. A mesothelioma specialist or oncologist will decide what kind of chemotherapy is right for your loved one and can tailor a treatment specific to them.
3. Radiation
Mesothelioma specialists may suggest radiation therapy for pleural mesothelioma patients. This form of mesothelioma occurs in the pleura, which is the cavity between your chest wall and lungs. Radiation is noninvasive and can be used to treat all stages of pleural mesothelioma.
The purpose of radiation is to directly target tumors with high beams of energy and leave behind healthy cells and tissue. This process can be done before, during or after surgery to increase your loved one’s chance of remission. Radiation is also often used to relieve pain and discomfort caused by tumors.
4. Multimodal
When doctors use a combination of treatment methods, it’s called multimodality treatment. Combining chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can be very effective in improving your loved one’s quality of life and overall life expectancy. This type of treatment can be aggressive and may not be suitable for all seniors. Their mesothelioma specialist will be able to determine if they are in good health and can handle multimodal treatment.
5. Clinical Trials
Your loved one may qualify for a mesothelioma clinical trial, which is a way for seniors to try a mesothelioma treatment that is in the research phase. Examples of emerging treatments in clinical trials include immunotherapy, virotherapy and gene therapy. Each has shown promise in treating mesothelioma effectively.
When candidates are selected for a trial, they are evaluated based on age, gender, current health and mesothelioma type. Since each clinical trial is unique, being rejected from one does not mean you won’t be accepted to another. Your loved one can keep applying to trials until they qualify for one and can participate.
Sources:
- Asbestos in Your Environment: What You Can Do to Limit Exposure. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Retrieved from: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/docs/limitingenvironmentalexposures_factsheet-508.pdf. Accessed: 11/15/19
- Risk Factors for Malignant Mesothelioma. American Cancer Society. Retrieved from:https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html Accessed: 11/15/19