Living with mesothelioma. A literature review

Abstract

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that affects mainly the pleura. World-wide incidence is increasing and set to rise for some time particularly in developing countries. Mesothelioma is uniformly fatal and often associated with difficult symptoms. The purpose of this review is to identify what is known about the experience of people living with mesothelioma. A literature search identified 13 papers covering qualitative studies, patient-reported quality of life data collected as part of a clinical trial, symptoms and survey of patients and carers. The findings suggest the impact of mesothelioma is multidimensional on: physical symptoms (especially pain, breathlessness, fatigue, cough, sleep disturbance, appetite loss and sweating), emotional functioning (anxiety, depression, fear and isolation), social consequences (changes in roles and relationships) and interventions (the necessity of frequent anti-cancer treatments and admissions for symptom control). The impact on family members is significant also. Although limited, these findings provide an important insight into the impact of mesothelioma on patients and family members and suggest areas where service provision may fail to meet their needs. Finally, the review highlights an urgent need for further research to more fully understand the experience of living with mesothelioma and identify the specific needs of patients and family members.

The psychological distress and care needs of mesothelioma patients and asbestos‐exposed subjects: A systematic review of published studies

“…Physical symptoms are generally very intense and debilitating for MM patients, including chest pain, breathlessness, and fatigue . Moreover, the severity of these medical conditions—together with the awareness of the occupational and “unnatural” origins of the disease have been linked to psychological distress among MM patients, as well as workers who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace …”

“…Although the importance of evaluating psychological needs in MM patients has been stressed by national and international guidelines and operational recommendations, the specific features of these psychological conditions have been seldom investigated . A recent literature review by Ball, Moore, and Leary focuses exclusively on qualitative studies and the subjective experience of MM conditions.…”

EphrinA1 inhibits malignant mesothelioma tumor growth via let-7 microRNA-mediated repression of the RAS oncogene

“…2,4 As mesothelioma symptoms do not arise until late stages, the majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed in an advanced stage of malignancy. 5 MM is resistant to all currently available treatments; therefore, understanding the mechanisms involved in the growth of MM may provide insights for the development of new therapeutic strategies to treat patients with MM. Recently, Eph receptors, Ephrin expression patterns and their functional outcomes have been linked to various physiological and pathological processes, particularly tumorogenesis.…”

Massive Trauma in A Community Exposed to Asbestos: Thinking and Dissociation among the Inhabitants of Casale Monferrato

“…In the next two decades, we expect at least 500 more deaths, with the incidence of the disease peaking between 2015 and 2020 (Furlan & Montarino, 2012;Italian Ministry of Health, 2012). Mesothelioma is devastating not only because of its physical effects (pain, respiratory problems, exhaustion, sleep disorders, and loss of appetite) but also because of its psychological effects (depression, anxiety, fear, rage, and feelings of helplessness) and effects on social relationships (social withdrawal, loss of one's sense of belonging, and decreasing social cohesion) (Clayson, Seymour & Noble, 2005;Granieri, 2008aGranieri, , 2013Krishnasamy, Wells & Wilkie, 2007;Lee et al, 2009;Moore, Darlison & Tod, 2010).…”