In-Home Care Support for Mesothelioma Patients

Anyone undergoing mesothelioma treatments at a cancer center may face a difficult recovery when they return home.

While a person’s home may be more comfortable than a hospital full of noisy medical equipment and busy doctors and nurses in the hallways, it helps to accommodate a home to the needs and well-being of the patient.

That’s why supportive services and lifestyle changes can help alleviate pain and pave the way to recovery.

In-Home Caregivers

Because mesothelioma mostly affects adults older than 60, home care is a great option for seniors who would like to age in place but still require some form of daily care.

Hiring an in-home caregiver can provide companionship, medication management and support with daily activities such as showering, dressing and eating. These caregivers can prepare delicious meals and take care of housekeeping chores so you can focus on what matters most — getting healthy.

Home Care Assistance, Home Instead Senior Care and Senior Helpers are nationally recognized in-home care providers. The National Association for Home Care and Hospice also offers resources to help families find a good in-home caregiver.

Nutrition Is Key to Proper Recovery

Cancer patients following proper nutrition for their condition and treatment tend to feel better during and after their procedures.

Doctors recommend eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water to keep the body healthy and strong while preventing dehydration. Types of food that aid recovery include fish oils, fiber, green tea and organ meats.

Vegetarians can opt for spinach, broccoli and cauliflower. Patients should consult their oncologist before making any dietary changes that could affect recovery.

Exercise for a Healthy Lifestyle

Another lifestyle change that can alleviate pain and improve care for mesothelioma patients is regular cardiovascular exercise.

Doctors recommend exercise as a way of alleviating fatigue and nausea, improving aerobic capacity, increasing bone density and treating depression. Patients should consult their oncologist in order to develop an exercise plan that’s customized to their condition.

Mesothelioma is a harsh condition that can deteriorate a person’s physical health if a treatment plan is not in place for post-acute care. Fortunately, for those hoping to recover in the comfort of their own homes, care support and recovery advice are available.

Families who consider these simple suggestions for recovery will improve the quality of life for patients who decide to age in place at home.

Visit Seniorly for more information on senior health topics that matter to you.

Author bio: Jacqueline Hatch is the content manager at Seniorly.com, a company that provides free resources for families in need of senior care services. Her goal is to produce educational articles that help families navigate the complicated world of aging options. She does this through managing the Seniorly Resource Center, where families can search for relevant articles based on topics and keywords.

Dealing with the Emergency

As an experienced family caregiver, I know the importance of preparing for unexpected events, particularly hospital trips. Proper preparation can help caregivers make the best of a bad situation.

I recall several unplanned trips to the hospital during Dad’s experience with mesothelioma. Shortly after our first impromptu trip, Mom and I made some changes so we’d be ready next time.

We came to rely on the comfort and practicality of a previously prepared overnight bag stuffed with all the items we thought we’d in an emergency. Although preparation is key, you will always re-evaluate what you pack.

Dealing with the Emergency

My dad awoke in the middle of the night unable to breathe. He struggled to inhale, and we rushed him to the hospital. There was little time for us to get anything.

My mom had forgotten her purse, and we had no money, food or anything else. There was nothing to occupy the mind of a 13-year-old (me). Dad’s nurses offered us water and saltine crackers, but that was about it.

Leaving the hospital to get money, phone numbers or food meant abandoning Dad when he needed us most.

Doctors required that my father temporarily remain in the intensive care unit before transferring him to a regular room. During his ICU stay, medical staff allowed only two visitors in his room. Each could spend a maximum of 15 minutes with my dad. These rules made for plenty of time in the waiting room.

The waiting room was a torturous experience. The harsh fluorescent lights magnified the starkness of the walls and wallpaper. The overpowering smell of disinfectant burned our noses. The pajamas my mom and I wore from the night before didn’t protect us from the room’s near-freezing temperature. And the thinly cushioned wooden chairs caused more physical discomfort than relaxation.

When my mom and I realized we weren’t going to sleep between visiting intervals, we took turns reading the few magazines in the waiting room. We reminisced about the good old days and the future. We also discussed our lack of organization and agreed to plan ahead next time.

We finally reached my brother that night, and he took over for us at the hospital. We headed home, ate and returned to Dad’s side.

Planning Ahead & Learning How to Plan Better

A few days later, the hospital released Dad.

When things settled, my mom and I created a list of the items we could pack to make our stay at the hospital more hospitable.

Our overnight bag contained cash, magazines, throw blankets and a change of clothes for each of us. We kept the bag in the trunk of the car. A couple of months later, it was there when we needed it.

Fast forward 20 years to a few weeks ago when my daughter awoke in excruciating pain.

I rushed her to the office of our local doctor, who urged us to head straight to the hospital. Nine hours later, the emergency room doctors diagnosed her with acute appendicitis and ordered emergency surgery.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the emergency overnight bag. Because I was my daughter’s caregiver, the hospital provided me with meals. But we didn’t have anything to entertain us, and charging our phones became a nuisance. I would have killed for a change of clothes and a good book to read.

I needed to update the overnight bag list with a few additional items:

Device charger: Although most hospitals provide charging stations to recharge visitors’ smartphones and tablets, they may not support all devices. It’s also risky to leave your expensive device unattended. Bring your own charger.

Book, magazines and a deck of cards: Waiting in hospitals is a challenging and emotional time for caregivers and family members. Keeping the mind occupied can ease some of the stress and pass the time.

Tablet or laptop computer: Most hospitals and medical centers now offer patients and visitors free Wi-Fi . Packing a tablet or computer that logs into YouTube or a streaming music service can ease your mind.

Change of clothes & sweater: Hospitals rooms are cold. There’s no way around it. Bring a hoodie and a fresh change of clothes to protect you from the chilly temperatures.

Loose change: Althoughmodern vending machines take debit cards, it wouldn’t hurt to pack a roll of quarters in case you want a snack from the 1990s-era vending machine.

Because mesothelioma caregivers perform many selfless duties, they often forget about their personal comfort.

However, a simple item — such as a previously prepared overnight bag — can make a difference in an emergency.

Remember, you can be a more efficient caregiver when you are at your best.

Mesothelioma Survivor Riding High on His Harley

Last month, pleural mesothelioma survivor Al Moylan left home one afternoon on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, joining family and friends for the 120-mile, back roads ride to Curtis’ All American Barbecue in Putney, Vermont.

Moylan topped the life-is-good, wind-in-your-face day with a delectable slab of Georgia-style pork ribs with the secret recipe sauce.

It wasn’t the first time he made the dinner trip to this out of the way biker hangout — and it won’t be his last.

At 80, Moylan still plays by his own rules.

“That’s just the way I live,” he said from the Westfield, Massachusetts, home he shares with his wife Joan. “I enjoy every damn day I have. And I never have lost my appetite for good barbeque.”

Moylan is a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast diagnosed a year ago with pleural mesothelioma, almost 20 years after retiring from his job installing, maintaining and repairing mechanical piping systems as a pipefitter in Connecticut.

Pipefitting is a high-risk occupation for asbestos exposure.

On Sept. 24, Moylan underwent an aggressive pleurectomy/decortication surgery followed with intrapleural heated chemotherapy at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. It was his first hospital stay.

“I don’t know if you can call me a survivor just yet,” Moylan said. “I’m feeling good, a year out, but I’m still kind of living in these four-month increments between checkups. I’ve got a lot more miles to ride. I want to be around to see my great-grandchildren grow up. Then you can call me a survivor.”

Living Life on a Motorcycle

Moylan is riding his motorcycle regularly again, much like he did in his younger days. He once raced dirt bikes competitively. He has owned several different motorcycles through the years.

None has meant more to him than the new one he found waiting in his garage when he returned from his second hospital stay in January after a serious staph infection knocked him off his feet.

“One of his sons said, ‘Mom, we need to do something now to get his spirits up again.’ So we all got together and picked it out to surprise him,” Joan remembered. “One of his goals after surgery was to get healthy enough to ride again. And I think this helped motivate him. He’d go out in the garage during the winter and just stare at it. That helped.”

He remains the patriarch of the Moylan motorcycle club. Three of his four sons ride, and two of his 10 grandchildren already have their own bikes. More are likely on the way. All of them were there when he returned home and first saw the new Harley wrapped in a bow. It was an emotional moment for everyone.

“I’ve spent a lot of time on a bike in my life,” he said. “I said at the beginning, when I beat this thing [mesothelioma], I’m getting back out there. When I went back into the hospital the second time, I felt like it was slipping away but not anymore.”

He and Joan already are planning their annual spring stay in Florida. He wants to bring the bike. They are still debating the topic at home.

“Sure, I worry about him riding, but when he does ride, he leaves the house with a smile on his face, and he returns smiling,” she said. “He just loves it.”

Keeping Busy Beyond the Bike

Boylan stays active today, even though his pace has slowed considerably. He and Joan take the 5-year-old great-grandchild to gymnastics class every Wednesday. They revel in her feats. Meanwhile, Moylan goes to rehabilitation three times a week.

They often keep a grandchild or great-grandchild at the house for extended stays. Last month, they joined one son and four grandchildren on a weekend camping trip to Old Orchard Beach, Maine. He doesn’t chase the kids anymore, but he loves watching them chase each other.

This is a man who built his own summer home, served on the city’s conservation and cemetery commissions, and worked part-time at a transfer station — all during his retirement.

“I’m still walking, talking and squawking,” he said. “I’ve slowed, can’t do some of the things I once could, but you learn to deal with that. Every day is different. If I only take 50 steps or 250 steps before I get winded, I just deal with it.”

Joan is one of the few in the family who doesn’t ride a Harley, but she is the irreplaceable foundation of a support group that has carried him through his fight with mesothelioma. She serves as advisor, caregiver, pharmacist, nurse and confidant, as well as loving wife.

“We had her on the back of the bike once, but she bit me on the shoulder, and that was the last time she ever rode,” Moylan said. “Other than that, she’s been wonderful. We’ve been married almost 60 years, but it must seem like 160 years for her. I got a really good one. Thank God for my wife.”

Joan Stepped Up to Provide His Care

Joan is the one who pushed for the mesothelioma program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and thoracic surgeon Dr. Raphael Bueno, despite the 90-mile trek from home.

Understanding Reactions to Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Having mesothelioma can change many elements of a person’s life, including physical appearance, emotional well-being and relationships with other people.

My father endured many physical changes, such as weight loss and hair loss, and emotions took a toll on his mental state. His diagnosis also affected many of his relationships. Perhaps one of the most startling changes was the way people interacted with him after hearing the news of his cancer.

It can be unnerving to hear someone you love faces an illness, especially a serious one. When our family heard the news, we all reacted differently. My mom put on a happy face for my dad, but when she wasn’t hiding her emotions, she was visibly devastated.

My brother displayed solemn strength, while my sister avoided any display of emotion. Household chores masked my fears and worry.

Just as we are all different people, our reaction to disturbing news like a mesothelioma diagnosis will differ as well. My family took the news in a different way. Dad’s diagnosis rocked the entire family, but we didn’t shy away from him or each other.

Reactions from Loved Ones to a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

People can react in unexpected ways upon hearing about a loved one having cancer. Understanding how loved ones respond to the cancer diagnosis can help patients process behaviors people may exhibit.

Dad’s diagnosis shocked some of our relatives into silence. They didn’t call or visit. At the time, I didn’t understand why, and it angered me.

But now I understand. Their reactions back then, which seemed abnormal to me, were actually completely normal under the circumstances. When we encounter situations that make us uncomfortable, some of us exit the situation altogether. Others might behave awkwardly or act in a patronizing manner.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology identifies some of the ways friends and family might react to cancer.

Shock: Learning that someone close has cancer can be an alarming reminder that it can happen to anyone. While a diagnosis most certainly shocks the person with the disease, some loved ones may experience similar emotions.

Painful Memories: When someone, who has experienced cancer personally or with a loved one, hears about a more recent diagnosis, they may recall painful memories. The news may also scare them. Keep in mind their reactions have more to do with their past experiences, not your personal journey.

Overwhelmed & Overbearing: A cancer diagnosis may overwhelm friends and family with worry, causing them to become hypervigilant. They may want to watch over you and help you all the time — even if you don’t need or want their assistance.

Finding how to work through these first few awkward encounters engages families and friends in supportive and beneficial ways for the journey ahead. Good communication can help break through these behaviors.

Solid relationships are vital for taking good care of a loved one facing mesothelioma. Social withdrawal and isolation is detrimental to emotional well-being. From my personal experience, relying on friends and loved ones for emotional support is very comforting.

Steps to Increase Understanding & Acceptance

Rather than avoiding a loved one facing cancer, raising your level of acceptance and understanding is usually beneficial.

Those who learn about a loved one’s recent diagnosis should comprehend some of the physical and emotional changes patients may experience.

Knowing what to expect when visiting a person with cancer may ease some of the stress and shock. The toll cancer takes on the body is evident soon after diagnosis. Side effects of cancer treatments, such as alopecia and weight loss, drastically alter physical appearances.

Because cancer also affects a patient’s emotions, your loved one may likely behave differently than before.

The American Cancer Society offers some tips to ease the stress of those first encounters with a newly diagnosed loved one.

Don’t advise your loved one, especially if they aren’t asking you: Being knowledgeable and understanding about your loved one’s illness does not make you an oncologist. Be respectful and supportive of their decisions.

Don’t avoid discussing the illness: Talking about your loved one’s cancer journey in a direct manner can help break the ice and soften the subject.

Don’t patronize: Adding an uncustomary “honey” or “sweetie” to your verbal communication can unsettle your loved one. Try talking and behaving as you did before the diagnosis.

Learning from Experience

My daughter recently was diagnosed with appendicitis, and the ordeal reminded me just how easy it is to let an illness change the way we treat the ones we love.

She had an emergency appendectomy, and I went into mother-bear mode. I hadn’t noticed the change until she asked me to stop treating her like a baby.

In my efforts to be supportive and comforting, I had become patronizing and overprotective. My daughter’s reminder was a reality check. After realizing my mistake, I returned to my role as the mother of an independent pre-teen spending some time in the hospital.

When families face a mesothelioma journey, it is important to remember how much we need each other.

The initial diagnosis is shocking to everyone, especially the patient. It is imperative for friends and family to adjust so they accompany their loved one on their journey. Remember, mesothelioma doesn’t change the significance of person in the lives of those who love them.

See your loved ones for who they are, not the battles they fight.

Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis and Finding a Specialist

Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis and Finding a Specialist

A misdiagnosis by a doctor not experienced with mesothelioma can delay treatment and access to clinical trials, as well as impact the patient’s survival and well-being. This is why it is crucial to get a second opinion and confirm a diagnosis from someone who specializes in the disease.

Malignant mesothelioma is such a rare and complex cancer that getting an accurate diagnosis often requires an experienced specialist who understands all of its intricacies.

Mesothelioma often is misdiagnosed by physicians and oncologists who rarely see it, and don't fully understand how it works, leading to unnecessary delays in developing a comprehensive treatment plan.

A misdiagnosis will reduce your chance of survival. Finding a specialist is critical. Second opinions are necessary.

If there is a history of exposure to asbestos – the primary cause of mesothelioma – then it is important to find a specialist who can diagnose or confirm the disease quickly, and tailor an effective treatment regimen to fit your personal needs.


"Mesothelioma is so complex, and its care so specialized, that a patient really needs the best care in the world," said mesothelioma specialist and thoracic surgeon Dr. Abraham Lebenthal of Brigham & Women's Hospital and the Boston VA. "This is not a knock on anyone, but many doctors only see one or two cases a year, and you don't want to be on someone's learning curve. Find the best. Find someone who sees this a lot."

Common Misdiagnoses


Many of the early symptoms, like a persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and night sweats, can mimic those of a less serious illness, and be dismissed initially. Mesothelioma can also be misdiagnosed as adenocarcinoma — a cancer that forms in the mucus-secreting glands in the bod

Patients with pleural mesothelioma, which starts in the lining around the lungs, often are told initially they have pneumonia or asthma, only to learn nine months later they had a much more serious illness brewing.

Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, which starts in the lining around the abdominal cavity, have been told by physicians they have something as common as irritable bowel syndrome before learning their problem is much more serious.

The sooner that mesothelioma is diagnosed accurately, the better chance of survival because there more treatment options available. Second opinions are important.

How Do Specialists Confirm a Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis?

There is no clear path to a mesothelioma diagnosis because each case is unique and the early symptoms often mirror those of less serious illnesses. The diagnosis often starts with X-rays and other imaging tests like a CT scan. Fluid around the lungs is common is many diseases, and not just mesothelioma.


But if it recurs after being drained, and scans also show a thick rind or layer around the lungs, then more tests will be done for a possible mesothelioma diagnosis.

A specialist may order a thoracentesis, which uses a thin needle to remove fluid for analysis. Doctors are looking for certain types of cells and certain proteins to look for clues of a serious illness.

Next would be a thoracoscopy, which is a significant procedure that usually requires an overnight hospital stay. It also is known as VATS. A small camera can be inserted between the ribs and a biopsy from the lining around the lungs is removed. It is reviewed by a pathologist who specializes in these types of diseases. That doctor may ask for a second opinion on what they see.

Does Stage Play a Role?

Staging plays a role because it is a way to measure how far the cancer has progressed. It allows your doctor to provide a more accurate prognosis for the disease and tailor the treatment that will be used.

The earlier the stage of the cancer, the tougher it will be to diagnose, but finding it earlier gives you more treatment options and a better chance at long-term survival. It's another reason why seeing a specialist early in the process is so important. Catching mesothelioma in the early stage will give you a fighting chance.

If you have a history of occupational exposure to asbestos, make sure it's discussed with your doctor, and be attentive to those early symptoms. If they persist after a short period, take action.

An Accurate Diagnosis Leads to More Treatment Options

Treatment options are based on a diagnosis. If a diagnosis is wrong, in most cases, so is the treatment. That is why it is important to seek a specialist who knows how to accurately diagnosis the type and stage of your cancer, which will lead to more precise treatment and may offer you more options.

How Can a Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis Affect You?

If you are misdiagnosed, it will delay the start of the most appropriate treatment. However, the issue can be corrected by an experienced mesothelioma specialist who knows the intricacies of this very complex cancer.

A misdiagnosis is not uncommon. The rarity of it makes it unfamiliar to many physicians and oncologists. It is treated differently than lung cancer, but too often mistaken for it in the early stages.

How to Get in Touch with a Specialist

It may be easy to ask a family member or friend for a good referral when looking for a regular practitioner, but it you're looking for a mesothelioma specialist, the task is a little harder.

Where to Find a Specialist

Only 3,000 patients annually are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S., and there are only a limited number of specialists who really know the best ways to handle it.

We are here to help you find the right specialist for your needs. Our free Doctor Match Program can connect you with a doctor who is in the same part of the country in which you live and specializes in your type of cancer. Our network of specialists can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and offer you an effective treatment plan.

Help with Financial Assistance

We know that traveling to see another doctor for a second opinion can be costly. We offer financial assistance to help with the costs. When you call, just let us know you're interested in receiving financial help to seek a second opinion with a top specialist.


You also will receive a free detailed packet of information to learn more about your diagnosis and why you should find a specialist. Each packet is customized for your individual needs. It includes books written by survivors and caregivers, informative pamphlets, doctor-reviewed information and awareness wristbands for you and your family.

author
Karen Selby

How Is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

Imaging Scans

Most people initially undergo a basic chest X-ray to check for any abnormalities. If an abnormal growth is detected, doctors will recommend a more detailed imaging scan such as a PET scan, CT scan or MRI.


Biopsies

If cancer is suspected, doctors will recommend taking a sample of tissue, also knowns as a biopsy. Doctors use this tissue sample to definitively confirm the presence of mesothelioma cells.


Blood Tests

Blood tests are also available, but they do not confirm the presence of mesothelioma. Research and development is underway to determine if blood tests can aid in early diagnosis for at-risk former asbestos workers.


Staging

There are at least five staging systems doctors use to stage pleural mesothelioma. The most widely used is the IMIG staging system. There are currently no universal staging systems for the cancer's other types.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma It's one of the rarest types of asbestos-related cancers. Treatment options are few because the heart lining, which is where tumors develop, is too close to the delicate organ; however, there are some cases where surgery can help remove small tumors.

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the thin membrane surrounding the heart, known as the pericardium. The membrane has two layers: An outer layer called the parietal layer, heart sac or theca cordis; and an inner layer known as the visceral layer or epicardium.

There are four common forms of mesothelioma, and pericardial and testicular are the rarest. To date, approximately 200 cases of pericardial mesothelioma are described in medical literature — that's 1 percent of all known diagnosed mesotheliomas.


Almost all mesotheliomas can be traced to asbestos exposure, but medical researchers continue to study the link between asbestos and cancer of the pericardium. Studies are clear on how inhaled microscopic fibers reach the lungs, but less clear on how the fibers reach the heart.

This form of cancer strikes twice as many men as women, and is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 50 and 70. Like the other types of mesothelioma, the disease develops over a long period of time — one to five decades — and is typically discovered at a later stage. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath. Diagnosis is difficult because symptoms mimic those of other disorders.

How Does Asbestos Cause Pericardial Mesothelioma?

The causal relationship between asbestos exposure and this type of mesothelioma is not fully understood. Researchers confirm the pleural and peritoneal types of the cancers are primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, yet the causes of the pericardial type are less definitive. Some patients with this rare type of mesothelioma have a history of exposure, but the limited number of reported cases prohibits researchers from effectively analyzing the relationship between the two. A 1982 study found a history of asbestos exposure in three of 15 cases, and a 1994 study reported asbestos exposure in four of 15 cases.

Asbestos fibers can become lodged in the membranes that surround the heart. When this occurs, just as it does in the linings of the lungs and abdomen, the body experiences extreme difficulty in eliminating the fibers. They can remain stuck in the membranes, and over a long period of time — sometimes up to 50 years — the asbestos fibers cause the cells to undergo changes that may result in cancer.

Once cells become cancerous, they begin to divide more rapidly, without the restraint that regulates the growth cycles of healthy cells. As the mesothelioma cells continue to grow, they cause the lining of the heart to thicken, and eventually tumors develop. These changes in the membrane lead to the buildup of fluid between the pericardial layers, which combined with the thickening of the layers, puts pressure on the heart.

How Is Pericardial Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

To diagnose pericardial mesothelioma, doctors make a cumulative assessment of your symptoms, medical history and current medical condition. Next, you will receive a physical examination, imaging tests and biopsy to determine the location of tumors and confirm whether or not they are cancerous.

When you see a doctor to discuss heart-related symptoms, one of the first diagnostic tests you will receive is an echocardiogram, which is essentially an ultrasound for your heart. This noninvasive test uses sound waves to help doctors see the size and shape of your heart and determine how well it's working overall.

Although an echocardiogram can reveal fluid buildup around the heart and help guide pericardiocentesis, the procedure doctors perform to drain the fluid, other imaging scans are needed to determine if potential tumors are present. If doctors spot abnormal growths, they need to take a fluid or tissue sample and perform a biopsy, which can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Computed tomography (CT) scans are effective for detecting pericardial tumors, making them a preferred diagnostic tool. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also yield extremely successful results in identifying and assessing the cancer. These tumors generally are not localized, and they tend to cover most of the heart. Furthermore, this cancer type accounts for approximately half of all pericardial tumors.

Seek a Second Opinion to Avoid Misdiagnosis

Because pericardial mesothelioma symptoms like chest pain, cough and difficulty breathing are shared with various other diseases, it's crucial to meet with a specialist to confirm your diagnosis. To ensure an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment, you need to speak with an expert who knows the intricacies of this rare cancer.

If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, always seek a specialist to confirm. An accurate and early diagnosis not only gives you access to a wider range of treatment options, but it may also lead to improved survival.

What Treatments Are Available?

Treatment options are limited because the heart lining rests so closely to the heart itself that most therapies can easily damage this delicate organ. Most patients with pericardial mesothelioma are not ideal candidates for surgery, which is often the most effective treatment for this cancer. However, there are rare cases where the cancer is diagnosed early and surgery can be carried out to remove small, localized tumors. Still, any surgery near this area is extremely dangerous because of the close proximity to the heart.

The four primary treatment options for pericardial mesothelioma are pericardiectomy, chemotherapy, palliative treatment and fine needle aspiration.

What Is the Average Prognosis?

The common prognosis for the pericardial type is poor, compared to that of peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma. Nearly 50 to 60 percent of pericardial patients pass away within six months of receiving a diagnosis. However, this is not the case for everyone.

Hope exists for some patients because researchers have cited positive results after surgery to remove local tumors. In one study, surgery to remove part of the heart's lining combined with radiation therapy improved survival in two patients.

One patient lived a year after treatment, and another was alive five years after treatment. Smaller, less impactful benefits were demonstrated from chemotherapy.

AUTHOR
KAREN SELBY