What is mesothelioma cancer?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer. It starts in the layer of tissue covering the organs, most commonly in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma). It can also begin in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and occasionally other areas in the body.
It’s sometimes referred to as asbestos cancer because the main cause is asbestos exposure. This material was banned in the UK in 1999, but mesothelioma often takes decades to develop.
Because of this, around 2,700 people are still diagnosed with the condition each year in the UK despite the ban. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma are older than 65, and it’s rare in anyone younger than 50.
Mesothelioma is a challenging condition but advances in medicine are opening new avenues for its management and treatment. At GenesisCare, our mesothelioma specialists work to carefully review developments and make the latest evidence-based therapies available to patients.
This includes stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), an advanced type of radiotherapy not regularly available outside of London. We offer this cutting-edge treatment at all 14 of our centres across the UK, meaning you can often be treated closer to home and avoid the long journeys.
Access to physicians and oncologists who specialise in mesothelioma is essential. We provide a world-class service and personalised approach to help patients with mesothelioma.
Professor Crispin Hiley, Clinical Director for Lung Cancer, GenesisCare UK
Find out more about our mesothelioma service at GenesisCare.
Early signs and symptoms of mesothelioma
Mesothelioma symptoms usually appear more than 20 years after asbestos exposure. Even if you don’t think you’ve been exposed to asbestos, see a doctor if you have any symptoms.
The main symptoms of mesothelioma affecting the lining of the lung are:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Extreme tiredness
- Sweating and high temperatures, especially at night
- A persistent cough
- Loss of appetite and weight loss when you're not trying to
The main symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are:
- Swelling in the stomach or abdomen
- Stomach pain
- Losing your appetite or losing weight without trying
- Feeling sick
- Changes to your bowel habits (constipation or diarrhoea)
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you’re worried about mesothelioma cancer symptoms. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms, but it’s best not to delay being seen.
You can make an appointment with your GP, who will assess your symptoms and refer you to a specialist if appropriate.
Contact us
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, get in touch to discuss your treatment options. Our experts provide a personalised treatment plan designed to give you the best possible life outcomes.
What causes mesothelioma cancer?
Asbestos exposure is the cause of 9 in 10 cases of mesothelioma. Asbestos is a material used in a number of products, including insulation material for buildings and is made of very fine fibres. These tiny particles can be inhaled and get stuck in the lungs, damaging them over time. This can eventually lead to cancer.
Before asbestos was banned in 1999, people in certain jobs were exposed to the material. These include joiners, construction workers, plumbers, electricians, boiler/heating workers, mechanics, shipbuilders, dockworkers and people serving on warships.
On average, it takes 20 to 60 years for mesothelioma to develop after asbestos exposure. Not everyone exposed to asbestos gets cancer, but it’s not always clear why.
Other less common mesothelioma causes include:
- Radiotherapy exposure
- Erionite, a mineral found in Turkey and North America
Diagnosis and tests
How is mesothelioma cancer diagnosed?
See your GP if you’re worried about any symptoms. They’ll refer you for specialist tests if they think you may have mesothelioma.
The tests you have depend on your symptoms, including:
- An X-ray or CT scan of your chest or abdomen
- An MRI scan of your abdomen (for peritoneal mesothelioma)
- Draining any fluid that's built up around your lungs or abdomen to look for cancer cells
- A thoracoscopy or laparoscopy - inserting a tiny camera through a small incision to look inside your lungs or abdomen
- You may have a biopsy or ultrasound-guided biopsy at the same time to take a sample to test for cancer
The results of your tests show what type of mesothelioma you have, which may be epithelioid, sarcomatoid, mixed, or cystic and papillary. It also tells your doctor the stage of your cancer.
Stages of mesothelioma
The stage describes the cancer’s size and spread. This helps your doctor suggest the best treatment path for your diagnosis.
There are four stages of pleural mesothelioma.
- Stage 1 – the earliest stage, where the cancer is only in the tissue lining the lung (pleura)
- Stage 2 - as above and where the cancer has also spread to nearby lymph nodes
- Stage 3 - the cancer has spread into the chest wall, into the heart lining, or to nearby organs or lymph nodes further away
- Stage 4 - advanced or metastatic mesothelioma, where the cancer has spread outside the chest to another part of the body
There is no staging system for peritoneal mesothelioma. But like pleural mesothelioma, doctors consider the number of tumours, their size, their location, and how far it has spread.
Staging of mesothelioma can be complex. Your doctor is always the best person to explain the stage of your cancer and what this means for your treatment options and outlook.
Treatment overview
How is mesothelioma treated?
Mesothelioma is often diagnosed at an advanced stage which can make it difficult to treat.
The best treatment for you depends on the type of mesothelioma you have, how far it's spread (its stage), and your general health.
The main mesothelioma treatment options include:
- Immunotherapy – medicines that help your immune system recognise and fight cancer
- Chemotherapy – anti-cancer medicines that attack cancer cells and shrink tumours
- Radiotherapy - uses radiation precisely aimed at tumours to destroy cancer cells
- Fluid drainage - this doesn’t treat the cancer, but draining and preventing fluid build-up around the lungs or abdomen can ease your breathing and other symptoms
Surgery is now rarely used to remove mesothelioma unless it’s early stage. Research suggests surgery for mesothelioma is linked to a lower quality of life and shorter survival compared to not having surgery.
Before considering surgery, we highly recommend discussing your options with an oncologist and a mesothelioma nurse.
Risk factors for mesothelioma cancer
Risk factors increase the chances of developing mesothelioma. But always see a doctor about symptoms, even if you’re not sure whether you have any risk factors for mesothelioma.
The main risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. You may have come into contact with asbestos without knowing, for example, if a family member brings home asbestos fibres on their clothes.
Changes in certain genes can increase your risk of getting mesothelioma if you’re exposed to asbestos. Genes that may be linked to the condition include BAP1, BRCA1/2, and certain DNA repair genes.
Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma are men. This is thought to be because more men than women were working in jobs with a risk of asbestos exposure.
Prevention of mesothelioma
Most cases of mesothelioma can be prevented by avoiding asbestos. When it comes to asbestos, there is no safe level except zero exposure.
- Know how to recognise asbestos if you work on buildings, particularly older buildings
- Wear the right protective gear if you are working on materials that might contain asbestos, including a respirator (not a dusk mask) and overalls
- Avoid disturbing materials in your home that might contain asbestos, and seek advice if you start to notice wear and tear
Mesothelioma treatment at GenesisCare
We are the UK’s leading independent provider of private cancer care, providing a specialist service for mesothelioma. By choosing us, you can be reassured that your treatment is managed by a team of specialists working together with you to design the best plan for your mesothelioma cancer diagnosis.
Treatment can often be given close to home because of our UK-wide outpatient cancer centres
Professor Crispin Hiley, Clinical Director for Lung Cancer, GenesisCare UK
Our approach to world-class care for mesothelioma includes:
- A personalised plan built around you
- Treatment starting within days if needed
- 14 outpatient cancer centres across the UK so you can get treatment closer to home
- State-of-the-art facilities specialising in advanced radiotherapy
- Compassionate chemotherapy nurses available 24/7 by telephone
- Integrative cancer care including wellbeing therapies and exercise medicine
- We'll help you with transport depending on treatment and locations, when required
- Recognised by all leading private medical insurers and self-pay available
We are proud that so many patients rate our care as excellent as we help them through their cancer journey. Hear the unique experiences of people who have had their cancer diagnosis or treatment at GenesisCare in our patient stories section.
Enquire now
We offer fast access to a comprehensive treatment pathway led by leading specialists in mesothelioma. Contact our friendly team for more information or to book an appointment.
Radiotherapy at GenesisCare
Our world-class radiotherapy service includes the latest innovations shaping the leading edge of mesothelioma treatment.
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a new treatment for mesothelioma in the lung. It precisely targets cancers with a high dose of radiation, and early research suggests good outcomes for controlling cancer with limited side effects.
SABR radiotherapy allows you to complete treatment in three to eight sessions on alternate days at one of 14 GenesisCare centres across the UK. Treatment can be delivered on the MRIdian MR Linac if treatment needs to be given close to sensitive organs in your chest, such as the airways or heart.
For mesothelioma patients who need radiotherapy to a large area of the lungs, standard radiotherapy may be the most appropriate treatment instead.
Drug treatments at GenesisCare
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are key treatments for patients with mesothelioma. Our highly trained nurses provide one-to-one care and a 24-hour emergency phone line during treatment.
Our medical oncology centres each have the Macmillan Quality Environmental Mark, recognising our dedication to providing high-quality cancer services.
Integrative cancer care at GenesisCare
Every patient is supported through their journey with consultant-led integrative cancer care, which combines medical treatment with life-changing approaches, including exercise medicine, wellbeing therapies and psychological support.
You’ll have optional access to a wellbeing expert to guide you through holistic therapies of your choice, such as counselling, acupuncture, massage and reflexology, through our unique partnership with the Penny Brohn UK charity.
Exercise medicine includes a 12-week personalised programme provided by a specialist physiotherapist, available at selected centres, with techniques shown to improve outcomes for cancer patients and reduce the impact of cancer by enhancing quality of life, reducing fatigue and improving strength.
FAQs
Although it can take many decades for asbestos to cause mesothelioma, the cancer can progress quickly once it starts.
In early-stage mesothelioma, symptoms may come on gradually. But once the cancer has progressed to stage 3 or 4, it can grow and spread quickly.
It’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms of mesothelioma.
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy is used to manage this cancer and slow its growth. Cancer is considered cured when there are no signs of disease for 5 - 10 years, which is not usually possible for mesothelioma.
Treatment for mesothelioma can help ease symptoms and extend life, especially when the condition is diagnosed at earlier stages.
Life expectancy and survival rates with mesothelioma are affected by the stage of cancer and age at diagnosis. Survival statistics may not reflect current treatments.
The following survival rates are not age-standardised, which means they don’t consider the effect of age on your outcomes.
- 68 in 100 people live for at least one year after diagnosis
- 41 in 100 people live for at least two years after diagnosis
- 23 in 100 people live for at least three years after diagnosis
Useful resources
Reviewed by: Dr Crispin Hiley
Clinical Director for lung cancer at GenesisCare
October 2024
