Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the lungs, chest cavity and, in rare cases the tissues of the heart and abdomen. The primary reason for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers can become stuck in tissues which can cause DNA damage. This changes cells into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, affects tissues that line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause cancerous cells to transform into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lung (pleura). However, it can be found in the lining of the abdomen, heart and testicles.
The most frequent mesothelioma-related symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. Some patients also feel abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms can be confusing and difficult to identify in the early stages particularly when mesothelioma still a relatively young disease. The signs of mesothelioma might not be evident for a long time or even decades following asbestos exposure.
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is an examination and a health history. To determine the severity of symptoms doctors may recommend blood tests and imaging scans. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).
X-rays could reveal a lump or fluid that isn't normal in the lungs. These scans aid the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid and mesothelioid are the two major kinds. Around 70% of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid.
Most people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and difficulty breathing. In certain cases, a person with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur, a condition known as pericardial effusion or a swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma is to take a tissue sample or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma will also dictate how a doctor manages the disease. For example when a patient has mesothelioma pericardial the doctor could remove excess fluid using a procedure called pleurodesis or insert a pleural catheter in the body to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The mesothelioma cancerous form is found in the linings of organs. The disease is most common in the lungs, however it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes.
It can take between 10 and 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Because of this time period of latency many patients are mistakenly diagnosed. This condition is often mistakenly referred to as other, less serious illnesses like the flu or pneumonia. This mistake could result in delays in treatment, which may lower a patient's chances of survival.
Those who suspect that they might have mesothelioma must visit their doctor right away. In the initial visit, doctors review the medical history of a patient in order to identify any symptoms or factors that increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes previous asbestos exposure as well as the type and duration.
The doctor will then order imaging tests for 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 the pleural thickening process or the accumulation of fluid. They can also reveal the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other organs of the body.
A doctor may also request a blood test to see whether the patient has elevated levels of certain chemicals that are linked to mesothelioma. They may also carry out an operation known as a thoracentesis which involves taking out the lungs of fluid and examining for cancerous cells.
If mesothelioma is found to be the cause the biopsy procedure is carried out to check a small sample of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle-guided CT scan is a method to perform this procedure. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are the most effective for the patient. This can include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Certain patients may choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer type of treatment can enhance a patient's prognosis and boost their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects the tissues which line and protect organs such as the lungs, stomach (peritoneal) or the heart or testicles. Although mesothelioma is not curable, it can be treated however, treatment can reduce symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your asbestos exposure because this is the number one risk factor for mesothelioma. downey asbestos lawyer to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the tissues of the chest cavity the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). As time passes, this causes inflammation and transforms normal cells into cancerous ones. Blood tests and imaging tests are used to identify mesothelioma.
Your doctor will use a chest X ray to determine if you have an accumulation of fluid (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 an incisional needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will examine the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine the kind of mesothelioma you have. The doctor will use a dye to color the tissues to determine the type of cancer. The dye will be visible when certain types are present. Then, they will employ a special technique to get an even closer view of the tissue under microscope.
Mesothelioma is often difficult to identify because the mesothelioma cells look similar to other kinds of cells within the body. Your healthcare team will try to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. These tests include an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3 or mesothelin related protein that is soluble.
Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment plan for mesothelioma based on your cancer type and its stage. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is in advanced stages, you may also receive palliative treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is determined by the type and stage cancer as well as factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with a doctor who are skilled to find out about their treatment options.
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. 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 that occurs in the lung lining and chest cavity (pleura) and mesothelioma peritoneal, a less common type that is found in the protective lining of the abdomen.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend an examination to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking tiny amounts of tissue to be tested. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples with an online database to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information will help them predict the patient's mesothelioma's life expectancy and treatment plan.
The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma type develops at different rates and responds to treatment in a different way. Epithelioid cancer is responsible for 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a better survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid.
It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos. Therefore, many patients don't receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos exposure should be disclosed to a doctor, and victims should be checked regularly.
In these visits, doctors will look for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring around the lungs or other respiratory issues. They can also do an easy blood test to determine the health of the patient. If the results indicate that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is very high, they can schedule additional tests to get a mesothelioma prognosis. This will include imaging exams such as X radiographs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well the lung function test, a chest MRI or PET scan.
