Mesothelioma Asbestosis
The symptoms of mesothelioma as well as asbestosis can be similar. Both are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers and dust.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma of the pleural may undergo treatment like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The four stages of mesothelioma reveal the extent of cancer's spread. Doctors employ staging to determine treatment options and the life expectancy.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It is usually found in the linings of the lungs, chest cavity and abdomen (pleura), although it can also affect the membranes that surround the heart (pericardium) or the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is malignant, which means it is likely to grow and spread beyond the area of origin.
The first sign of a non-phlegmatic cough is common. Other signs include shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss. Some patients may notice lumps or swelling on their abdomen.
A patient's doctor may recommend a specialist if they are experiencing these symptoms. The specialist will perform an array of tests to determine if mesothelioma or other cancers are the reason. They will use imaging scans to examine the abdomen, lungs or heart and perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
In the case of pleural mesothelioma there are two main surgical options. A pneumonectomy that is extrapleural removes part of the lung affected, the diaphragm and a section of the heart's lining. A pleurectomy or pulmonary decortication removes only the pleura, but not the entire lung. Other forms of treatment include radiation and chemotherapy. The first utilizes high-energy X radiation to destroy cancerous cells, while the second makes use of drugs like carboplatin or pemetrexed to destroy cancerous cells or stop their growth.
Patients should inform their doctor about any prior asbestos exposure. This is important, as mesothelioma may develop in the years that follow the initial
asbestos settlement exposure. The doctor will also inquire about the frequency and duration of exposure since these factors can impact the development of symptoms.
If your GP suspects you have mesothelioma they will order an CT scan to determine the extent to which the cancer spreads throughout the body. If mesothelioma has spread to the lungs, they will also conduct a bronchoscopy procedure to look at the lungs' airways and lymph nodes. In some cases, a physician may suggest a PET-CT or a chest MRI scan to determine if cancer has developed to the heart.
Diagnosis
The most reliable way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis is to collect a tissue or fluid sample. Doctors use this sample to search for cancerous cells that differ from normal cells. A biopsy can be done surgically or by inserting a needle. Doctors can also perform imaging tests, like x-rays and CT scans to find mesothelioma. They may also do the positron emission tomography scan (PET) which can be used to detect cancerous cells.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to symptoms of other diseases which makes it difficult to diagnose. For example the chest pain that is associated mesothelioma could be misinterpreted as lung cancer or heart disease. Pleural effusion, which is a condition caused by
asbestos legal (
read this blog article from Oncob 2b) can be misinterpreted as pneumonia or bronchitis.
If doctors suspect that a patient is suffering from mesothelioma they will ask about the patient's previous exposure to asbestos and the symptoms. They will also conduct an examination and take a history of the medical history of the family member. The doctor will conduct urine and blood tests to determine if there are elevated levels. These tests can be performed in a hospital setting or at home.
These tests will help doctors determine the level of
asbestos legal in the body as well as how the other organs are performing. They will also want find out if the patient had any previous surgeries. A CT scan and chest x-ray will be taken to determine the presence of mesothelioma.
Doctors will usually take an echocardiogram, which makes use of sound waves to create a picture of the heart, in case they suspect that a patient is suffering from pericardial mesothelioma. A MRI scan may be beneficial in the event of pleural mesothelioma, since it can provide detailed pictures of soft tissues. Mediastinoscopy can be performed, which involves inserting a tube with cameras and a light inside the chest in order to examine and sample the lymph nodes that are located close to the center. This is especially helpful if the mesothelioma has spread to these areas.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a slow-moving respiratory disease. However there are treatments that can help you manage the symptoms and improve your quality of living. Doctors may use treatments, fluid drainage techniques surgery, or a combination of techniques to ease fatigue and lung pain. Doctors can also help patients deal with their loss of energy and how it affects their daily life.
The first step to treating mesothelioma is to determine whether cancerous cells are present. A biopsy is the best way to find out. The biopsy will take a small sample of mesothelium, and examine it under a microscope to determine whether there are any cancerous cells. A biopsy is usually done via surgery, but doctors may also perform the thoracentesis procedure. This involves inserting a needle in the chest cavity to take an amount of fluid for testing.
After the test results are available, a surgeon may decide to remove any part of the body that have been affected by mesothelioma or asbestosis. This is usually performed to treat pleural mesothelioma but it is sometimes done to treat peritoneal mesothelioma as well. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's lining (pleura). Peritoneal Mesothelioma is caused by
asbestos compensation fibers that are ingested into digestive tract.
After surgery, patients can take steps to increase their comfort level. You can do this by taking breaks in the morning, planning trips to the market and other activities when you are feeling better and exercising. Patients may also inquire with their physician about clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments. These trials are studies of new mesothelioma treatments that have not yet been approved by the FDA.
Other treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, could be available. Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancerous cells, while radiation and immunotherapy increase the body's natural defense systems against cancer. Targeted therapy involves the use of specific medications to attack vulnerabilities within mesothelioma cancer cells. Every patient's experience is individual. It is important to discuss with a mesothelioma expert all possible treatment options.
Prognosis
A prognosis is a rough estimate of the extent to which a mesothelioma develops and the treatment options available. It also indicates how long patients can expect to live with mesothelioma. The general health of a patient is an important factor in the likelihood of them surviving mesothelioma. People who are fitter and have higher blood tests like normal haemoglobin levels and higher platelet and white cells counts will have a greater chance of surviving mesothelioma. They will also be more able to tolerate chemo and surgery than people with lower general health.
Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor which is agressive tumor and has a lower prognosis often than other cancers. This is partly because it is usually diagnosed later, when the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be compared to many other illnesses, making it difficult to identify. In certain cases it can take a long time from the time that asbestos exposure occurs to when the patient develops mesothelioma.