Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity and, in rare instances the abdomen's lining and the heart. The main reason for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers can become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This changes cells into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause the cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lung (pleura). It can also develop in the tissues of the heart, abdomen and testicles.
The most common mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. In addition certain patients suffer from abdominal pain as well as fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to identify in the early stages, especially when mesothelioma is still a relatively young disease. It may take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to manifest.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is an examination and a medical history. A doctor may ask for blood tests or imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans include CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).
X-rays may reveal an unusual swelling or fluid inside the lungs. These scans aid the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. The two main mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. About 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is less common, and has a worse prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.
The majority of patients with pleural cancer have a nonproductive, painful cough and breathing problems. A person with pleural msothelioma might suffer from an abnormal heart sound, a condition called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.
The most accurate way to determine if mesothelioma has been diagnosed is to take a tissue sample or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma also determines the method used by a doctor to treat the illness. For instance when a patient has mesothelioma pericardial, the doctor may remove excess fluid using a procedure called pleurodesis or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include chemotherapy and surgery.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the organ's linings, known as the mesothelium. The disease most commonly occurs in the lungs (pleura) however it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
The symptoms of mesothelioma could appear between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Due to this latency period many patients are incorrectly diagnosed. It is often mistaken for other, less serious illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This mistake can result in delays in treatment, which may reduce the chances of surviving.
Anyone who suspects mesothelioma should consult their physician as soon as they can. In the initial visit, doctors review the patient's entire medical history to determine signs and other factors that could make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos, as well as the type and duration of exposure.
The next step is for doctors to request imaging tests to look at the chest and abdomen for any signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs are all able to reveal changes in the lungs, including pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also reveal whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
A doctor may also order a test of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation known as the thoracentesis. This involves the removal of a sample from the lungs' fluid to look for cancer cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed then a biopsy is taken to check an insignificant portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be done via VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or by using the use of a needle that is guided by an CT scan. The results will aid in determining the best mesothelioma treatment plan for the patient. This may include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This latest mesothelioma treatment may improve a patient's quality of life and improve their outlook.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues which line and protect organs, such as the lungs, stomach (peritoneal) or heart, or testicles. It is impossible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment can help manage symptoms.
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and search for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure because it is the main mesothelioma risk factor. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to be trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium), stomach or the heart. This causes inflammation over time and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma is diagnosed with imaging tests and blood tests.
Your healthcare provider will use a chest X-ray to see changes in the lung tissue and determine whether you have fluid build-up (pleural effusion). Your provider will order MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain detailed images of the affected area. They may also perform an incisional needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will look at the mesothelioma tissues under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma you have. To determine the type of mesothelioma, the doctor will stain the tissue sample with a dye that lights up when certain types of proteins are present. They will then use a special technique to get a closer look at the tissue under microscope.
Mesothelioma may be difficult to identify because the mesothelioma cells look similar to other kinds of cells in the body. Your healthcare team will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma using other tests. These tests involve an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3 or mesothelin related peptide that is soluble.
Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment plan for mesothelioma, based on the type of cancer you have and stage. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. The option of palliative therapy is available in the event that your mesothelioma has progressed to an advanced stage. This will relieve your pain and other signs.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is determined by the stage and type of cancer as well as other factors like age and general health. Patients should consult knowledgeable doctors to find out more about their treatment options.
Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. These asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and can cause genetic changes and inflammation that transform normal cells into mesothelioma cancers. The most frequent mesothelioma types are mesothelioma pleural (which is a tumor that develops on the linings of the lungs as well as the chest cavity and abdomen) mesothelioma.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, lab tests and X-rays. They may also suggest an examination to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking tiny amounts of tissue to test. The doctors can compare the biopsy samples with an online database to determine the most likely mesothelioma type. This information can help them determine the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan.
The three mesothelioma types are epithelioid and epithelial, epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma develops at a different pace and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.
It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients do not get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos exposure must be reported to a doctor and the victims must undergo regular checks.
During surprise asbestos attorney , doctors check for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on the lungs and other respiratory problems. They can also conduct a simple blood test to determine the overall health of a patient. If the results indicate that a patient is at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma they can schedule additional tests to receive an outlook. This could include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound, as well as a lung function test and a chest MRI or PET scan.