Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissue lining the lungs and chest cavity, and in rare cases the abdominal lining and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the principal cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. Cells turn into mesothelioma cancerous cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, affects tissues that line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers could cause these cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors. The majority of cases of mesothelioma originate in the lungs (pleura). However, it can also happen in the lining of the abdomen as well as the testicles, heart and lungs.
The most frequent mesothelioma-related symptoms are shortness of breath as well as chest pain and coughing. Patients may also experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to identify in the beginning stages particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new condition. The symptoms of mesothelioma may not be evident for a long time or even decades after asbestos exposure.
A physical exam and a health history of the patient are the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. To determine the severity of symptoms the doctor can order tests for blood and imaging scans. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).
X-rays can reveal a strange swelling or fluid inside the lung. These scans help the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two most prevalent types. Around 70% of mesothelioma is epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, on the other hand, is, and has a worse prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.
The majority of people diagnosed with pleural melanoma suffer from a nonproductive cough as well as chest wall pain, and trouble breathing. In some instances, a patient suffering from pleural mesothelioma might have an abnormal heart murmur, an issue called pericardial effusion, or a swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The most accurate way to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample, or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma will determine how a doctor manages the disease. For example, if a person has mesothelioma of the pericardium the doctor could drain excess fluid with pleurodesis, a procedure that is known as pleurodesis, or insert a pleural catheter in the body to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The mesothelioma-related cancer is found in the linings of the organs. The majority of cases occur in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can be noticed between 10 and 50 years after the first exposure. Because of this time period of latency, many patients may be misdiagnosed. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious conditions like the flu or pneumonia. This can result in delays in treatment, which can reduce the chances of surviving.
Anyone who suspects that they might have mesothelioma should see their doctor immediately. In the first visit, doctors examine a patient's complete medical history to identify signs and other factors that may make them more likely to have mesothelioma. This includes any previous exposure to asbestos or other asbestos-containing substances, as well as the type and duration of exposure.
The next step is to have doctors conduct imaging tests to examine the abdomen and chest for signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest Xrays, CT scans and MRIs all offer detailed images of the interior of the body. They can reveal lung changes, such as pleural thickening or fluid buildup. They can also tell if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
A doctor may also recommend an examination of the blood to determine whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation called a thoracentesis which involves removal of lungs of fluid and looking for cancer cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed then a biopsy is performed to examine an insignificant portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be done using VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) or by using the use of a needle that is guided by an CT scan. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are most suitable for the patient. This can include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients might also opt to take part in immunotherapy. This more advanced mesothelioma treatment could improve the quality of life for patients and improve their outlook.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is a threat to the tissues that line and protect organs like the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or heart or testicles. Although mesothelioma cannot be cured, treatment can help control symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about your health history and check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure as it is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. 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 change normal cells into cancerous cells. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed using blood tests and imaging tests.
Your healthcare provider will employ an X-ray chest scan to observe changes in your lung tissue, and determine if you suffer from fluid build-up (pleural effusion). Your provider will order MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to get detailed images of the affected region. They may also perform an incision using a needle to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A pathologist, or mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue with a magnifying glass to identify cancerous cell and determine the type. To establish the diagnosis the doctor will stain the sample using a dye which shows up when certain kinds of proteins are present. The doctor will then use an instrument to magnify the tissue.
Mesothelioma may be difficult to recognize because the mesothelioma cells look similar to other kinds of cell within the body. Your care team will try to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. These tests include a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related peptide that is soluble.
Your care team will choose mesothelioma treatments based on the kind of cancer you have and the degree to which it is advanced. The most popular mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also receive palliative care to relieve pain and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma patients is based on the stage and type of cancer as well as factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with experienced doctors to learn more about the treatment options available to them.
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and can cause genetic changes and inflammation that can transform normal cells into mesothelioma cancers. The most frequent mesothelioma variants are pleural mesothelioma. It is a form of cancer that develops in the lung lining and the chest cavity (pleura), as well as peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer form that develops in the lining that protects the abdomen.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend that a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking tiny amounts of tissue to be tested. The doctors can compare the biopsy samples to databases to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can help them determine a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy and treatment plan.
The mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial and epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma type develops at an individual rate and responds to treatment in a different way. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60% to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.
It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients don't get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos sufferers should report their exposure to a doctor and be checked regularly.
During these visits doctors can check for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring around the lungs or other respiratory issues. They can also do simple blood tests to determine the patient's health. If citrus heights asbestos attorney show that a patient's risk of developing mesothelioma is very high, they can arrange for further tests to get mesothelioma-related prognosis. This includes imaging tests such as X rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well the lung function test, a chest MRI, or PET scan.