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Mesothelioma and Prostate Cancer

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos. While mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases usually develop in the lungs. However, they can develop in other areas of the body as we, including the stomach, the ovaries and the testes.

Mesothelioma can also spread from the lungs to distant parts of the body in its late stages. By stage IV, mesothelioma has spread to distant structures, which can include the prostate.[1] In the extremely rare instance mesothelioma spreads to the prostate, you may experience symptoms similar to prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer exhibits many symptoms, including blood in the urine or semen, problems with urinating, erectile dysfunction, weakness/numbness in the legs, and/or loss of bowel or bladder control.[2] Whether prostate cancer develops on its own or if it is caused by the spread of mesothelioma, there are a variety of treatments available, including radiotherapy.

However, if radiotherapy is used to treat prostate cancer not caused by mesothelioma, there can be serious side effects. Studies have shown a connection between external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and the development of mesothelioma.[3] The risk of developing mesothelioma and other radiation-induced second malignancies after receiving EBRT to treat prostate cancer is small, but it should not be ignored.

There have been various studies that have tried to find a firm connection between asbestos exposure and prostate cancer.[4] However, these studies have not found a solid causation, though correlation has been shown.[5] A major reason for this lack of proof for causation is the fact that there have been a limited number of studies investigating this connection.

It’s important to note that mesothelioma is still being studied. As such, there may be an unknown direct causation between this disease and prostate cancer. Any mesothelioma patient who experiences symptoms of prostate cancer should report these symptoms to their doctor.

In addition, any prostate cancer patient who undergoes EBRT should be monitored for any development of second malignancies, including mesothelioma. If mesothelioma caused by EBRT develops, there are options available to treat both conditions.

[1] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html

[2] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3709083/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1009733/

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12630438