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Mesothelioma Help Now helps patients and their families get answers, locate top doctors and receive better treatment.

Patients and family members should:

  • Get educated about mesothelioma
  • Locate a specialist or cancer center
  • Plan your treatment options

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Start Learning about Mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the lung and abdomen linings caused by exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more than a diagnosis—it’s a national crisis affecting thousands of innocent families. You are not alone in your fight against mesothelioma. Our support networks and resources are here to help you understand this disease and take control of your health care options.

Learn About Mesothelioma

Learn About Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma

The most common form of the disease, pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung’s protective lining—the pleura—years after the inhalation of dangerous asbestos fibers. Pleural mesothelioma has a poor prognosis, but treatment plans can help improve and extend your life.

Learn About Pleural Mesothelioma

Learn About Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen—the peritoneum—after having ingested asbestos fibers. With the best prognosis of all three mesothelioma types, peritoneal mesothelioma patients can undergo potentially life-extending surgeries and treatments.

Learn About Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Learn About Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma forms in the lining around the heart—the pericardium. With only 150 known cases, it is the rarest form of the disease. Pericardial mesothelioma is difficult to treat, and doctors continue to learn more about this complex cancer.

Learn About Pericardial Mesothelioma

Learn How Mesothelioma is Diagnosed

How is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

Mesothelioma can only be diagnosed by an experienced oncologist who specializes in your exact disease location, type and stage. The process for diagnosing mesothelioma is complex and many are misdiagnosed.

Learn How Mesothelioma is Diagnosed

Treating Mesothelioma

Treatment options for mesothelioma have changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Thanks to the breakthroughs of specialists such as the late Dr. David Sugarbaker and Dr. Robert Cameron, patients are living longer despite the odds.

View Mesothelioma Treatment Options

See Treatment Options

Radiation

Using high-energy rays, doctors can target and shrink mesothelioma tumors. Radiation therapy is a standard mesothelioma treatment.

How Radiation Treatments Work

Chemotherapy

During chemotherapy, anti-cancer drugs circulate through the body to slow the cancer's progression. Chemotherapy is an important treatment against mesothelioma.

More about Chemotherapy Treatments

Surgery

By removing mesothelioma tumors, surgeons can help patients live longer and with a higher quality of life. Different surgeries are available for each type of mesothelioma.

Review your Surgical Options

Mesothelioma Specialists and Cancer Centers

There’s a difference between a general oncologist and a mesothelioma specialist. Because it is rare and often misdiagnosed, mesothelioma requires the hands of a top specialist to determine the best treatment strategy. Mesothelioma treatment specialists are often located at top cancer centers.

Learn About Mesothelioma Doctors|Find a Cancer Center

Read about Dr. Sugarbaker

Dr. David Sugarbaker - Pleural

Read about Dr. Sugarbaker

Read about Dr. Sugarbaker

Dr. Paul Sugarbaker - Peritoneal

Read about Dr. Sugarbaker

dr-harvey-passRead about Dr. Pass

Dr. Harvey Pass - Pleural

Read about Dr. Pass

Read about BWH

Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Read about BWH

Read about Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic

Read about Mayo Clinic

Read about Baylor Lung

Baylor Lung Institute

Read about Baylor Lung

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Prognosis and Survivors

A prognosis is the most likely course the disease will take. A prognosis helps doctors and patients set reasonable goals they can target together. Mesothelioma is a serious disease, often becoming apparent when it is too late. The best actions you can take are to find a specialist and make a plan. Some have survived this deadly disease through surgical procedures. It is the stories of these heroes who help us see hope in the face of a grim diagnosis.

Learn About Mesothelioma Prognosis

Learn About Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy

As part of your prognosis, doctors will tell you your life expectancy based on their experiences with other patients and your medical history. Patients can do a lot to improve their life expectancy.

Learn About Life Expectancy

Learn About Survival Rates

Survival Rates

Survival rates look at historical data and give patients a general idea of their likelihood to survive a certain amount of time. Thanks to research, modern treatment plans and medicines, survival rates continue to improve.

Learn About Survival Rates

Learn About Survivors

Mesothelioma Survivors

Mesothelioma survivors beat the odds and sent the disease into long-term remission. Their stories are inspirational and play a key role in the fight against mesothelioma. Learn more about these incredible mesothelioma survivors and what they did to overcome such devastating obstacles.

Learn About Survivors

Support Options

Research shows that having a cancer support network greatly contributes to a patient’s willingness to survive. Because it’s such a significant part of a diagnosis, numerous support resources and options exist to help you and your family feel connected to others who have been in your shoes.

Find the Support You Need

Learn About Legal Help

Legal Help

Sadly, mesothelioma patients are victims of negligence by asbestos companies. Legal support options are available to those who wish to take action. Compassionate and dedicated mesothelioma law teams will work with you and your loved ones to understand your history with asbestos and build a case on your behalf.

Learn About Legal Help

Learn About Financial Aid

Financial Aid

A mesothelioma diagnosis is not just emotionally devastating but financially destructive as well. Diagnosis and treatment costs are expensive and insurance plans often don’t cover all the costs. Financial aid is available, and it can offer peace of mind to struggling families.

Learn About Financial Aid

Top Blog Posts

Study Shows That Cytoreduction With HIPEC Increases Quality of Life in Some Cases

Beth Swantek Read Post

Researchers at Wake Forest University report that, in some cases, quality of life improves for those who undergo cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. The surgery and corresponding chemotherapy have become an accepted treatment for this type of cancer which affects the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Peritoneal

Read More