**Symptoms, causes and treatments of the disease that struck the journalist Franco Di Mare**
There are approximately 2,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in Italy, 1,500 among men and 500 among women, based on the latest data released by AIRTUM. A rare, aggressive tumor, which predominantly affects males, in 90% of cases caused by high exposure to asbestos. The disease also affected the journalist Franco di Mare, who confessed his difficult health conditions, speaking with the aid of a respirator.
**What is that?**
Malignant mesothelioma arises from the cells of the mesothelium, the tissue that lines the serous cavities. It is, therefore, a thin membrane that covers the internal organs and which has different names depending on its positioning. Depending on the body area it affects, the tumor takes on a different name: the most common one is pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in approximately three out of four cases.
**Symptoms**
The main symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are dyspnea (shortness of breath) and cough, often caused by the accumulation of fluids in the pleural cavity. According to what was communicated by the Airc, widespread pain in the lower back or one side of the chest may also occur, but also more non-specific symptoms such as weakness or weight loss.
**Risk factors: asbestos**
90% of mesotheliomas are linked to exposure to asbestos. An increase in cases is expected in the coming years, considering the massive use of this material in the 70s and 80s. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled very easily, over a thousand times thinner than a hair, and can lead to other diseases such as asbestosis and lung cancer.
**The diagnosis**
After the onset of symptoms and verification of possible exposure to asbestos, diagnostic imaging tests are carried out. A biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis. To determine the type of therapy, it is necessary to determine the stage of the tumor. Diagnosis of this tumor often arrives when the disease has already passed the initial stages and is now difficult to treat.
**The cure**
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma must immediately contact specialized centers. Standard treatment is chemotherapy, but there are ongoing therapeutic trials with biological drugs and immunotherapy. At the moment, life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is very low.
**Prevention**
The most effective action to prevent mesothelioma is to avoid or limit exposure to asbestos as much as possible. There are surveillance programs for workers who have been exposed to this material and for those who are currently exposed for professional reasons. To date, there are no validated screening tests for early diagnosis of mesothelioma in individuals without symptoms.
In conclusion, mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive tumor linked to exposure to asbestos, with limited treatment options and a low life expectancy rate. Prevention and early detection remain crucial in the fight against this disease.