Mesothelioma vs Lung Cancer: Understanding the Differences

Since both mesothelioma and lung cancer can result in lung-related symptoms and could be caused by asbestos, it can be easy to get them confused. However, they are unique types of cancers that come with unique health outlooks and treatment options. At Lung Cancer Group, we’re able to help families impacted by either cancer.

Is Mesothelioma a Form of Lung Cancer?

No, mesothelioma is not a type of lung cancer. Instead, it is its own type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the body’s internal lining that protects organs.

Because mesothelioma often develops around the lungs, and since it is so rare, it is often mistaken for a type of lung cancer. Yet in reality, mesothelioma often requires unique treatments when compared to lung cancer and impacts a patient’s health outlook in different ways, too.

For all of these reasons and more, it is crucial not to mistake mesothelioma for lung cancer or vice versa. You want to work with doctors who treat the specific type of cancer that you have in order to have the best chance of becoming a long-term survivor.

At Lung Cancer Group, we’re here to help your family understand the distinction between lung cancer and mesothelioma, and explore treatments and financial compensation options for both.

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Asbestos Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Similarities

Mesothelioma and lung cancer share traits that are similar to one another, which contributes to the confusion surrounding them. Both can be caused by asbestos and lead to similar symptoms, for example.

Here are some of the similarities between lung cancer and mesothelioma:

• Asbestos exposure: Either type of cancer can be caused by asbestos, a toxic fiber-like material used across blue-collar industries for decades.
• Diagnostic steps: Doctors use the same general process to diagnose lung cancer and mesothelioma. The steps include a basic physical exam, imaging tests to look for tumors, and finally a biopsy to check a tissue sample for cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to confirm the presence of cancer.
• Symptoms: Many cases of mesothelioma share similar symptoms to those of lung cancer, including a cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. These symptoms typically start off mild but worsen over time.

Is pleural mesothelioma lung cancer? Many cases of mesothelioma affect the pleura, or the lining of the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer cause similar symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath. However, they are not the same type of cancer.

If you are concerned that you may have lung cancer or mesothelioma symptoms, see a doctor promptly. You likely will not be able to tell possible symptoms apart from one another on your own.

Medical tests like lung cancer screenings can help make the distinction. From there, your health care team can recommend treatments depending on the unique type of cancer you have, your overall health, and other factors.

Differences Between Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma

Many factors set lung cancer and mesothelioma cases apart from one another, such as what typically causes each type of cancer and the treatments that are available depending on the diagnosis.

Here are key differences between mesothelioma and lung cancer:

• Causes: The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. The main cause of lung cancer is smoking. Asbestos, radon, and many other carcinogens (cancer-causing materials) can also cause lung cancer.
• Location: Mesothelioma develops in the linings of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles. Lung cancer starts in the actual lung tissue itself.
• Number of cases: While mesothelioma is rare, leading to about 3,000 diagnoses each year, lung cancer is extremely common. Approximately 235,000 Americans get lung cancer each year.
• Treatments: Mesothelioma treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Treating lung cancer may require different approaches. For example, you can’t use the same surgeries to treat lung cancer as mesothelioma. Lung cancer patients may also have more options, such as more immunotherapies and targeted therapies.

Concerned about lung cancer or mesothelioma? Call (877) 446-5767 now to speak with a member of our team. We’re here to tell you more about diagnosis options, treatment plans, and ways to afford care.

Differences Between Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Prognosis

After a cancer diagnosis, it’s important to understand your prognosis, or overall health outlook. While it varies from person to person, the average lung cancer prognosis is somewhat more favorable than that of mesothelioma.

A mesothelioma prognosis is often poor because the cancer is very aggressive and often diagnosed after it has spread, making it harder to treat.

With that said, many factors impact how long someone will live with lung cancer or mesothelioma. Specific types of either cancer can be more aggressive, and additional factors like the stage and a patient’s overall health play big roles, too.

It is also important to note that long-term survivorship has been reported among people with lung cancer as well as mesothelioma. Some of the longest living survivors have beaten the odds significantly, surviving for decades with these cancers.

Lung Cancer vs Mesothelioma: Get Help Now

Knowing the similarities and differences between lung cancer and mesothelioma is crucial to helping ensure that you get the right diagnosis.

Mesothelioma is not the same type of disease as lung cancer, and it can’t be treated as such. You need specialists to treat whichever type of cancer you have.

At Lung Cancer Group, we are here to support families impacted by lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other diseases stemming from asbestos exposure.

We may be able to assist you in:

• Better understanding treatment options for each type of cancer
• Determining how your asbestos exposure occurred
• Finding mesothelioma and lung cancer lawyers near you

Call (877) 446-5767 or get our Free Lung Cancer Guide to see more of how we can help during this uncertain time.