Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, which is a series of thin linings with mesothelial cells. It usually forms near the lungs or abdomen when mesothelial cells become damaged. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, and the cancer takes 15-50 years after exposure to fully form.

For more infromation of the types of mesothelioma, click HERE.

About this Cancer

Statistics

  • According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the most recent statistics for mesothelioma only date from 2019 and 2022. They show that the cancer mostly affects people assigned male at birth.
  • Incidence statistics from 2019 state that 460 Canadians were diagnosed with mesothelioma, of which 77% were men and 23% were women.
  • The most recent mortality statistics from 2022 confirm that 472 Canadians died from mesothelioma (80% men and 20% women).
  • Source: Canadian Cancer Society

Symptoms

Symptoms vary based on the location of mesothelioma, such as in the lining of the lungs or tummy, and include:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • High temperature and sweating
  • Persistent cough
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Abdominal pain or swelling
  • Nausea
  • Swollen fingertips
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea or constipation

For more information, check out the NHS, or the Canadian Cancer Society.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for mesothelioma include:

  • Asbestos (mineral fiber that occurs naturally. Found in manufacturing, shipbuilding, plumbing, carpentering, painting jobs, etc.)
  • Erionite
  • Fluoro-edenite fibrous amphibole
  • Ionizing radiation
  • BAP1 gene mutation
  • SV40 virus
  • Zeolites
  • Family history
  • Sex and age
  • Diet, smoking, and other lifestyle choices

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Research UK, the American Cancer Society, or Asbestos.com.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis options for people with symptoms include:

  • Health history and physical exam
  • Imaging tests
  • X-ray
  • Ultrasound
  • CT scan
  • MRI
  • PET scan
  • Echocardiogram
  • Removing fluid for testing
  • Endoscopy
  • Biopsy
  • Fluid biopsy
  • Needle biopsy
  • Endoscopic biopsy
  • Surgical biopsy
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • CBC
  • Blood chemistry tests
  • Mesothelioma staging

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society or Penn Medicine.

Treatment

Treatment options vary depending on where the mesothelioma started, the subtype, and other factors. They include:

  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery (to decrease fluid buildup, remove tissue around the lungs, remove a lung, etc.)
  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Palliative surgeries

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society, or Mayo Clinic.

Stories from Survivors

Stories from Other Groups

If you would like to share your mesothelioma story, please email us at info@survivornet.ca.

Resources

Mesothelioma Cancer Groups

Canada

  • Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation: “The Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation was founded to serve three broad groups of people: patients and their families, healthcare professionals, and those who are concerned with and who advocate for policies around mesothelioma and asbestos.” Visit them at http://www.cmfonline.org/?q=node/12 
  • Mesothelioma Center Canada: “You could receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation, even if the asbestos exposure happened decades ago.” Visit them at https://mesothelioma-center.ca/1/index.php 
  • Mesothelioma Claim Advisors : “As a law firm* that specialises in claims for people with mesothelioma, we have handled thousands of cases for people with mesothelioma all around the world. Our network of experienced lawyers and paralegals ensures that we can answer any question that comes our way about entitlements to compensation. Our people specialise in making claims for mesothelioma victims.” Visit them at https://www.mesoclaimadvisors.com/