Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissue lining the lungs and chest cavity and, in some cases, the abdomen's lining and the heart. The most common cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers can get stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. The result is that cells transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, affects the tissues which line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause the cells to change and develop into mesothelioma tumors. Most cases of mesothelioma are found in the lung. It can also occur in the linings of the abdomen, the heart and testicles.
Breathlessness, chest discomfort and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma. Additionally patients may are suffering from abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to diagnose in the early stages particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively young disease. It may take several years or even decades after exposure to
asbestos legal (
supplemental resources) for mesothelioma-related symptoms to show up.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam and a health history. 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 show an unusual swelling or fluid inside the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. The two major mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for about 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a lesser-known type, and has a worse prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.
People with pleural cancer typically suffer from a painful, nonproductive cough and breathing issues. Patients with pleural mesothelioma might have an abnormal heart sound and a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.
The most effective method to identify mesothelioma is to take a biopsy of tissue. The type of mesothelioma will also determine how a physician treats the illness. For example, if a person has mesothelioma of the pericardium, the doctor may remove excess fluid using pleurodesis procedure or install an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the organ's linings, known as the mesothelium. The majority of the time, the disease develops in the lungs (pleura), though it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
It can take between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Due to this latency period many patients are mistakenly diagnosed. This disease is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious conditions, such as pneumonia or the flu. This misdiagnosis may result in a delay in treatment, which can decrease the chances of survival for a patient.
If you suspect that you might have mesothelioma must visit their doctor right away. During this initial visit, doctors review the patient's entire medical history to determine symptoms and any factors that may make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes
asbestos claim exposure in the past and the nature and duration of the exposure.
The next step is to have doctors conduct imaging tests to examine the chest and abdomen for any signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X rays, CT scans and MRIs can all reveal changes in the lungs, including an increase in pleural thickness or accumulation of fluid. They can also show whether mesothelioma has spread other parts of the body.
A doctor can also request an analysis of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation called a thoracentesis which involves taking out the lungs of fluid and examining for cancerous cells.
If mesothelioma is found to be the cause, a biopsy is performed to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cell. This can be done using VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) or by using an instrument that guides the needle through an CT scan. The results of this will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment for the patient. This could include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Certain patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This latest form of treatment can improve the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, like the lung (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is not possible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment can help manage symptoms.
Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your asbestos exposure as this is the number one risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to get trapped in the chest cavity's lining, tummy or heart (mesothelium). As time passes this causes inflammation, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma.
Your doctor will use an X-ray of the chest to determine if there is fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). The doctor will recommend MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to get detailed images of the affected area. They will also conduct a needle biopsy to obtain an in-situ sample of the affected tissue.
A pathologist, a mesothelioma expert, will analyze the tissue with an magnifying glass to find cancerous cell and determine the type. To determine the type of mesothelioma the pathologist will stain the sample with a dye that shows up when certain types of proteins are present. The doctor will then employ techniques to magnify the tissue.
It is sometimes difficult to identify mesothelioma since the mesothelioma-causing cells look similar to those of other types of cells within the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by performing other tests. This includes a blood test to measure levels of fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related peptide that is soluble.
Your healthcare team will determine the best treatment plan for mesothelioma, based on the type of cancer you have and stage. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most commonly used treatments for mesothelioma. A palliative treatment option is available when your mesothelioma is at an advanced stage. This will alleviate you of discomfort and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is dependent on the type and stage cancer and other factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with a doctor who are experienced to learn about their treatment options.
Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that connect vital organs and shield them from harm. These asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation that transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumours. The most frequent mesothelioma variants are pleural mesothelioma. It occurs in the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity (pleura) as well as mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer form that arises in the lining of the abdomen.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.