Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the lungs, chest cavity and, in some cases, the tissues surrounding the abdomen and the heart. The main cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. Cells turn into mesothelioma cancerous cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect the organs inside the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause the cells to change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. The majority of mesothelioma cases originate in the lungs (pleura). However, it could also happen in the lining of the abdomen as well as the testicles, heart and lungs.
Chest discomfort and coughing are among the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Patients also experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to diagnose in the early stages particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new disease. It could take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to manifest.
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is an examination and a medical history. A doctor can request blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).
X-rays may reveal a mass or fluid that isn't normal in the lung. These scans aid the doctor determine the type and location of the mesothelioma. The two main types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for about 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is less common than epithelioid.
The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough as well as chest wall pain, and trouble breathing. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may suffer from an abnormal heart sound or a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.
The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma also determines how a doctor will treat the illness. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer the doctor will drain the excess fluid through the procedure known as pleurodesis or insert an pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and improve respiration. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The cancerous mesothelioma forms on the linings of organs. The majority of cases occur in the lung (pleura) however it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
It takes between 10 and 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma or mesothelioma onset. Because of this latency time, many patients could be mistakenly diagnosed. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis may result in a delay in treatment that can reduce the chance of a patient's survival.
Anyone who suspects mesothelioma should consult their physician as soon as they can. In the first visit, doctors take a patient's full medical history to look for signs and any other factors that might make them more likely to have mesothelioma. This includes previous asbestos exposure, as well the nature and duration of the exposure.
The doctor will then order imaging tests of the abdomen and chest to check for signs of mesothelioma. Chest Xrays, CT scans and MRIs all offer detailed images of the interior of the body and can show lung issues, such as pleural thickening or fluid buildup. They can also show if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
A doctor can also request a test of the blood to determine whether a patient has high levels in certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They may also perform a procedure called a thoracentesis, which involves removing a sample of the fluid surrounding the lungs to look for cancer cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, a biopsy is performed to test a small amount of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle-guided CT scan may be used to carry out this procedure. The results will help determine which mesothelioma treatments are most suitable for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients will also opt to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form can improve the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect organs such as the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or heart, or testicles. Although mesothelioma is not curable, it can be treated, treatment can help control symptoms.
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and look for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your exposure to asbestos, since 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). This causes inflammation over time and can transform normal cells into cancerous cells. Imaging tests and blood tests are used to identify mesothelioma.
Your doctor will make use of an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in the lung tissue and determine if you have an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). Your doctor will request MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain precise images of the affected area. They may also perform a needle biopsy to obtain an in-situ sample of the affected tissue.
A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will study the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope in order to find cancerous cells and determine the kind of mesothelioma you have. To determine the type of mesothelioma the doctor will stain the tissue sample using a dye which shows up when certain types of proteins are present. They will then employ an advanced method to get an even closer view of the tissue under the microscope.
It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma since the cells that cause it look similar to those of other types of cells within the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by other tests. These tests include an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related protein that is soluble.
Inglewood asbestos attorney will determine the best treatment option for mesothelioma depending on the type of cancer and stage. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stages you could also receive palliative treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is based on the stage and type of cancer as well as factors like age and general health. Patients should work with knowledgeable doctors to find out more about the treatment options available to them.
Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or ingested and, over time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that turn normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma variants are pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura) and mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer form that arises in the lining that protects the abdomen.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also suggest taking a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of taking small amounts of tissue to test. Doctors can then compare biopsy samples against databases to determine the most likely mesothelioma cells type. This information can help them predict the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan.
The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma grows at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid cancer accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases and has a better survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Many patients aren't diagnosed of mesothelioma until they have serious symptoms. Exposure to asbestos should be disclosed to a physician and patients should be checked regularly.
During these visits, doctors can look for signs of exposure to asbestos, such as scarring around the lungs or other respiratory problems. They can also conduct an easy blood test to assess the health of the patient. If the results show that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is high they can arrange for further tests to get a mesothelioma prognosis. This could include imaging tests such as X rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds, in addition to a lung function test and a chest MRI or PET scan.