Skip to content
Mesothelioma.net
phone iconCall1-800-692-8608 chat icon Chat 24/7 Live Chat
Menu
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • About Mesothelioma
      • How to Survive Mesothelioma
      • 100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma (Free Book)
      • Symptoms
      • Diagnosis
      • Prognosis
      • Life Expectancy
    • Types
      • Pleural
      • Peritoneal
      • Epithelioid
      • Sarcomatoid
      • Biphasic
    • Stages
      • Stage 1
      • Stage 2
      • Stage 3
      • Stage 4
    • Additional Information
      • Causes
      • Asbestos and Its Dangers
      • Facts
      • Support
      • Financial Compensation
      • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
  • Treatment
    • Treatment Options
      • Surgery
      • Chemotherapy
      • Radiation Therapy
      • Multimodal Therapy
      • Medications
      • Palliative Treatment
    • Find Top Doctors
      • Doctors
      • Treatment Centers
      • Treatment & Doctors Near You
      • New Treatments
      • Care Providers
      • Clinical Trials
      • Costs
  • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
  • Veteran Assistance
    • Mesothelioma and Veterans
      • VA Claims for Mesothelioma
      • Vietnam Veterans
    • Military Branches and Asbestos
      • Navy Veterans
      • Navy Ships
      • Marine Corps Veterans
      • Army Veterans
      • Air Force Veterans
      • U.S. Coast Guard
  • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • About Us / Contact
  • Home
  • ›
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
  • ›
  • Support
  • ›
  • COVID-19
Page Updated: June 23, 2022

COVID-19 and Mesothelioma

Dave Foster Page Edited by Patient Advocate Dave Foster

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Fact Checked

This page has been fact checked by an experienced mesothelioma Patient Advocate. Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

We make every attempt to keep our information accurate and up-to-date.

Please Contact Us with any questions or comments.

COVID-19 and mesothelioma is a dangerous combination. As new variants, like Omicron, emerge, cancer patients and their families must be aware of the changing risks.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

The Coronavirus Pandemic

Coronavirus is not new. It is a large family of viruses that infect humans and animals. The current outbreak is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus that may have originated in bats. It likely jumped to humans in China, but the details of the origin of this virus are still not clear.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

The first recognized outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, occurred in late December of 2019 in Wuhan, China. Patients had respiratory symptoms similar to pneumonia. Scientists isolated and sequenced the genome of the new virus in January 2020.[1]

As the disease spread around China and the rest of the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a public health emergency on January 30, 2020. The WHO declared it a pandemic on March 11.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the global economy, causing a recession. It has impacted social interactions and mental health. As of November 1, 2021, COVID-19 caused nearly 750,000 deaths in the U.S. and five million worldwide.[2]

Cancer patients represent just one population of people particularly vulnerable to contracting and dying from this infection.

What Is the Coronavirus and COVID-19?

Coronaviruses belong to a large group of many different viruses. Some cause the common cold. Others have caused previous global outbreaks, like SARS-CoV in China in 2003 and MERS-CoV in The Middle East in 2012.

The exact origin of the virus SARS-CoV-2 is unknown, but experts suspect it emerged in bats or other wild animals and jumped to humans in Chinese markets.

COVID-19 is the illness caused by SARS-CoV-2. It is a respiratory disease spread by droplets infected people emit when talking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing. The illness has an incubation period of two to 14 days, the time from exposure to first symptoms.

Symptoms

Not everyone who gets infected with COVID-19 experiences symptoms. The most common symptoms are:[3]

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath

Less commonly, people infected with COVID-19 may experience:[3]

  • Headache
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Aches and pains
  • Sore throat
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin rash
  • Discoloration of toes and fingers
  • Red eyes

Severe Symptoms and Complications

The most severe symptoms of COVID-19 are shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pains, loss of speech, confusion, and poor mobility. These signs warrant immediate medical care.

Some people experience severe symptoms and respiratory complications that can be fatal or have lasting health consequences:[4]

  • Respiratory failure
  • Lung damage
  • Heart damage
  • Nervous system damage
  • Kidney failure

Diagnosis

The presence of symptoms alone is not adequate for a diagnosis. Lab tests are available. You can get tested at your doctor’s office or do a test at home. Some tests provide instant results, while others take a few days. Some are more specific and sensitive than others.

Your doctor can suggest the test most appropriate for you. Experts recommend that anyone with symptoms, especially those at risk for severe disease, be screened for the infection.

Treatment

Most treatments for COVID-19 support the patient and provide relief from symptoms but do not directly target the infection. For mild cases, this means using over-the-counter symptom relief medication. For more serious cases, this can include hospitalization and respiratory support.[5]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved one antiviral drug, remdesivir, for certain hospitalized patients. The FDA also granted emergency status to baricitnib, a drug that reduces inflammation and may be antiviral.

Patients at risk for severe illness, including many cancer patients, may also receive other emergency treatments:[5]

  • Monoclonal antibodies, which must be given early in the infection
  • Casirivimab and imdevimab for patients at high risk of exposure and with weakened immune symptoms
  • Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid for patients on ventilators
  • Plasma therapy with high-antibody plasma donated from people recovered from COVID-19
2 fist bumps

The Risk to Cancer Patients

Patients with any type of cancer are more vulnerable to infections. Having cancer impacts the immune system in several ways, lowering the body’s ability to fight off infections:[6]

  • Cancer. Certain types of cancer directly change cells in the immune system, lowering its effectiveness. For mesothelioma patients, metastasis to bone marrow interferes with the production of white blood cells.
  • Cancer treatments. For many patients, it is the treatment that lowers immunity. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy all cause short-term, and in some cases long-term damage to the immune system.
  • Nutrition. It is not unusual for cancer patients to struggle with nutrition. Malnourishment weakens the immune system.
  • Other health problems. Mesothelioma and other cancers cause unique health problems and complications with the potential to lower immunity.

How Does COVID-19 Affect Pleural Mesothelioma Patients?

Any cancer patient is at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 because of immune deficits. However, those with respiratory cancers, like pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer, have additional risks.

Pleural mesothelioma causes symptoms like difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Adding these to the similar symptoms of the infection only increases the severity.

COVID-19 can also cause significant lung complications that also add to the burden of pleural mesothelioma: pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, and additional respiratory infections. These can potentially cause lasting lung damage.

Interestingly, according to a recent study, lung cancer and its treatment do not drive severe COVID-19 in cancer patients. Researchers found that other factors, not specific to cancer, were responsible for more severe illness:[7]

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • A history of smoking
  • Genetics
  • Immune response
  • Age
  • Other individual health factors

Although it may not be cancer-specific factors that increase the risk, lung cancer and mesothelioma patients do generally experience more severe illness.

A recent study confirmed that pleural mesothelioma patients experience greater risk when infected with COVID-19. The study found that these patients had higher hospitalization and mortality rates.[8]

The Variants and What They Mean for Cancer Patients

When a virus transmits between people, it has a chance to mutate. Changes in its genetic material allows it to survive treatments and get past vaccines. When a virus has changed significantly, it is said to have become a new variant.

Since COVID-19 first emerged, several variants have developed, including Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Experts pay close attention to variants. The differences from the original virus may be more harmful, making it more transmissible or causing more severe symptoms.

Delta

The Delta variant is the most prevalent type as of late 2021. It emerged as borders began reopening and restrictions loosened. It has forced many places to reinstate mask requirements and to change travel restrictions.

Delta is more contagious than previous strains of the virus, especially among the unvaccinated. It causes local outbreaks, but vaccination provides good protection. Because it is so highly transmissible and more severe, cancer patients must be especially vigilant to avoid and protect against Delta.[9]

Omicron

The latest variant of concern, Omicron, emerged in South Africa in November 2021. Experts are still learning more about it, but Omicron seems to be more transmissible even than Delta. This is of concern to cancer patients and other vulnerable people.[9]

COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the current vaccines effectively prevent severe illness and death. This is true for the original virus and the new variants.[9]

Medical experts agree that most people with cancer or a history of cancer can safely get vaccinated. So much is still unknown about the disease and vaccines. It is possible that the vaccines will not work as well in cancer patients with weakened immune systems.[10]

For most people, however, getting some protection from the vaccine is better than none. Patients must talk to their medical teams about the benefits and risks of getting the vaccine.

vials of vaccine

Preventing COVID-19 and Protecting Cancer Patients

The most important and effective way to prevent COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. The National Cancer Institute recommends these additional steps to protect yourself:[11]

  • Get the vaccine booster.
  • Wear a mask that fits your face and covers the nose and mouth.
  • Avoid crowds, especially indoors.
  • Avoid indoor settings with poor ventilations.
  • When out among people you don’t live with, maintain a six-foot distance.
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Be aware of COVID-19 symptoms and report them to your doctor immediately.

If you live with someone who has mesothelioma or lung cancer, you also need to take precautions. You could bring the infection home to them. Take these same steps, and get vaccinated, to protect your loved ones.

Should I Continue Cancer Treatment During the Pandemic?

It’s natural to worry about getting treatment during the pandemic. You may be concerned about treatments making you vulnerable to infections or the possibility of contracting the illness in a medical setting.

For cancer patients, especially mesothelioma patients, treatment is essential. Your medical team will discuss the benefits and risks of continuing treatment. Whether it makes sense to continue or halt treatment varies depending on each individual patient.

COVID-19 in Veterans

Veterans have been particularly hard hit by mesothelioma, which means many are also especially vulnerable to COVID-19. The military used asbestos heavily, so many service members were exposed and developed mesothelioma decades later.

According to the most recent reports, the Veterans Administration (VA) recorded 384,990 cases of COVID-19 in their facilities and over 16,800 related deaths.[12]

VA facilities throughout the country offer COVID-19 vaccines and encourage all veterans to get vaccinated. You can also get treatment for an infection at a VA facility while continuing mesothelioma treatment.

Mesothelioma is a terrible disease, and it makes patients more vulnerable during this global crisis. If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, talk to your treatment team about how to stay safe.

Get Your FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Page Edited by Patient Advocate Dave Foster

Dave Foster

Dave has been a mesothelioma Patient Advocate for over 10 years. He consistently attends all major national and international mesothelioma meetings. In doing so, he is able to stay on top of the latest treatments, clinical trials, and research results. He also personally meets with mesothelioma patients and their families and connects them with the best medical specialists and legal representatives available.

Connect with Patient Advocate Dave Foster

References
  1. Plapp, F. (2020, July 6). The COVID-18 Pandemic: A Summary. The Pathologist.
    Retrieved from: https://thepathologist.com/subspecialties/the-covid-19-pandemic-a-summary
  2. Diaz, J. (2021, November 1). The COVID-19 Pandemic Has Now Killed 5 Million People Around the World. NPR.
    Retrieved from: https://www.npr.org/2021/11/01/1051020063/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-killed-5-million-people-globally
  3. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
    Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_3
  4. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2021, May 19). What is Coronavirus?
    Retrieved from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus
  5. Mayo Clinic. (2021, December 1). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
    Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20479976
  6. American Cancer Society. (2020, March 13). Why People with Cancer Are More Likely to Get Infections.
    Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/low-blood-counts/infections/why-people-with-cancer-are-at-risk.html
  7. Hellman, M.D. (2020, July 16). Severity of COVID-19 in Patients with Lung Cancer: Not Driven by Cancer or Cancer Treatments. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
    Retrieved from: https://www.mskcc.org/clinical-updates/severity-covid-19-patients-lung-cancer-not-driven-cancer-cancer-treatments
  8. Seymour, C. (2021, September 8). COVID-19 Leads to High Hospitalization and Mortality in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. OncLive.
    Retrieved from: https://www.onclive.com/view/covid-19-leads-to-high-hospitalization-and-mortality-in-malignant-pleural-mesothelioma
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, December 1). What You Need to Know About Variants.
    Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant.html
  10. American Cancer Society. (2021, November 30). COVID-19 Vaccines in People with Cancer.
    Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/low-blood-counts/infections/covid-19-vaccines-in-people-with-cancer.html
  11. National Cancer Institute. (2021, November 21). Coronavirus: What People with Cancer Should Know.
    Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coronavirus/coronavirus-cancer-patient-information
  12. Kassraie, A. (2021, November 30). Veterans Affairs System Coronavirus Deaths Top 16,800; Cases Are Above 384,000. AARP.
    Retrieved from: https://www.aarp.org/home-family/voices/veterans/info-2020/coronavirus-visitor-restriction.html
View All References

Jump To a Topic
  • The Coronavirus Pandemic
  • What is the Coronavirus and COVID-19?
  • The Risk to Cancer Patients
  • How Does COVID-19 Affect Pleural Mesothelioma Patients?
  • The Variants and What They Mean for Cancer Patients
  • COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters
  • Preventing COVID-19 and Protecting Cancer Patients
  • Should I Continue Cancer Treatment During the Pandemic?
  • COVID-19 in Veterans
  • Where Can I Get Additional Help?

Site Navigation

Home
Malignant Mesothelioma
How to Survive Mesothelioma
100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma (Free Book)
Surviving Mesothelioma - Beating the Odds (Free Book)
FREE Mesothelioma Packet
Symptoms
Shortness of Breath
Cough
Night Sweats and Fever
Weight Loss
Pain
Difficulty Swallowing
Fatigue and Muscle Weakness
Gastrointestinal Complications
Diagnosis
Pathology
Staging
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Metastasis and Progression
Brain Metastasis
Biopsy
miRview Test
Imaging
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy in Mesothelioma
Biomarkers and Blood Tests
Calretinin
Prognosis
Remission
Recurrence
Death Rate
Life Expectancy
Search for a Mesothelioma Cure
Types
Pleural
Peritoneal
Epithelioid
Sarcomatoid
Biphasic
Pericardial
Testicular
Cell Types
Rare Subtypes of Mesothelioma
Deciduoid
Desmoplastic
Heterologous
Lymphohistiocytoid
Well-Differentiated Papillary
Tubulopapillary
Small Cell
Benign
Adenomatoid
Cystic
Unresectable
Localized
Idiopathic
Omental
Causes
Risk Factors
Latest Research
Genetic Components
Incidence
Latency Period
Mesothelioma Tumor
Health Insurance Coverage
Related Conditions
Immunodeficiency Disorders
Cholangiocarcinoma
Atelectasis
Pleural Plaques
Pleural Thickening
Pleural Effusion
Peritoneal Effusion (Ascites)
Mesothelial Hyperplasia and Proliferation
Pleuritis and Pleurisy
COPD
Anemia
Breast Cancer
Prevention
Complications
Misdiagnosis
Mesothelioma Commercial
Talcum Baby Powder
Lawyer
Lawsuits
Class Action Lawsuits
Settlements
Simian Virus 40
Differences From Other Cancers
Lung Cancer
Women
Children and Young Adults
Unknown Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma Without Asbestos
Cause of Death
Facts 
History
Awareness
Government and Research
National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank
Support
What to Expect
Living with Mesothelioma
Help a Loved One
Wrong and Right Things to Say
Caregivers
Financial Tips
Faith
Nutrition and Lifestyle
Intimacy
Mesothelioma and Fertility in Men
Fertility in Women with Mesothelioma
Emotional Health
COVID-19
Assisted Living
Hospice Care
Dying from Mesothelioma
Mourning
Coping Guide for Children
End-of-Life Decisions
Mesothelioma Awareness Day
Compensation for Victims
Lawyer
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington D.C.
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Lawsuit
Settlements
Statute of Limitations
Treatment
Surgery
Side Effects
Pneumonectomy
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
Lobectomy
Pleurectomy/Decortication
Post Op Care
Pleurectomy/Decortication vs. Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
Peritonectomy/Cytoreductive Surgery
Thoracotomy
Thoracoscopy
Pericardiectomy
Wedge Resection
Pleurodesis
Pericardiocentesis
Prosthetics
Paracentesis
Thoracentesis
Chemotherapy
Side Effects
Heated Intraperitoneal
Radiation Therapy
Side Effects
Intensity-Modulated
Brachytherapy
Proton Therapy
Image-Guided
External Beam
Three-Dimensional
Multimodal Therapy
New Treatments
SMART Protocol
Gene Therapy
Suicide Gene Therapy
Tumor-Based p53 Therapy
Cryotherapy for Mesothelioma
Tumor Treating Fields
MicroRNA
Palliative Treatment
Osteopathic
Doctors
Treatment Centers
Treatment & Doctors Near You
Mesothelioma Experts
Medications
Alimta (pemetrexed)
Adriamycin (doxorubicin)
Avastin (bevacizumab)
Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
Gemzar (gemcitabine)
Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)
Mitomycin
Navelbine (vinorelbine)
Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab)
Paraplatin (carboplatin)
Platinol (cisplatin)
Rheumatrex (methotrexate)
Sutent (sunitinib)
Taxol (paclitaxel)
Medical Marijuana
Care Providers
Clinical Trials
Anetumab Ravtansine
Atezolizumab
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell
Durvalumab
Immunotoxin
Interferon Alfa-2b
Onconase (Ranpirnase)
VISTA Protein
Costs
Immunotherapy
Nanotechnology
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Home Medical Equipment
HMGB1 Secretion
Photodynamic Therapy
Targeted Therapies
Apoptosis
Stem Cells
Lung Transplantation
Body-Based Therapies
Alternative Therapies
Paul Kraus’s Method
Doctors and Treatment in Canada
Asbestos Trusts
Veterans
VA Claims for Mesothelioma
Vietnam Veterans
Military Branches and Asbestos
Navy Veterans
Navy Ships
Aircraft Carriers
Battleships
Destroyers
Asbestos on Navy Cruisers
Submarines
Amphibious Ships
Minesweepers
Auxiliary Ships
Marine Corps Veterans
Army Veterans
Air Force Veterans
U.S. Coast Guard
Asbestos
Occupational Exposure
Construction Workers
Shipyard Workers
Ship Repair
Steel Mill Workers
Industrial Workers
Boiler Workers
Power Plant Workers
Firefighters
Automotive Workers
Roofers
Oil Refineries
Mining
Transportation Industry
Machine Operators
Farmers and Agricultural Workers
Migrant Workers
Electrical Wiring
Labor Unions
Prisons
Chimneys, Furnaces, and Wood Stoves
Fiberglass Connection to Mesothelioma
Home Remodeling
School Buildings, Teachers
For Tech Students
Cancer
Lung Cancer
Pleural Based Cancers
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits
Companies That Used Asbestos
Awareness and Education
Types of Asbestos & Mesothelioma Risk
Asbestosis
Interstitial Lung Disease
Smoking
Asbestos Ingestion
Exposure in a Natural Disaster
Ban Asbestos
Libby, Montana
Recycling Asbestos
Asbestos Detection
Legal Information by State
Canada
Mexico
United Kingdom
Australia
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • Treatment
    • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
    • Veteran Assistance
    • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
    • Mesothelioma News
    • About Us / Contact
  • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Editorial Guidelines and Standards
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
The information provided by Mesothelioma.net is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Mesothelioma.net

5430 LBJ Freeway Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75240

Serving mesothelioma victims nationwide

1-800-692-8608

  • facebook
  • twitter
© 2022 Mesothelioma.net