Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs, and, in rare instances, the tissues surrounding the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the principal cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This turns cells into cancerous mesothelioma cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause these cancerous cells to develop into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of cases of mesothelioma originate in the lungs (pleura). However, it can also be found in the lining of the abdomen and the testicles, as well as the heart.
Chest discomfort and coughing are among the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Patients may also feel abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning 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 show up.
A physical examination and medical history of the patient is the first steps in determining mesothelioma. To determine the severity of the symptoms the doctor can order blood tests and imaging scans. These scans may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).
X-rays can show an unusual swelling or fluid inside the lung. These scans can assist the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is located and the kind of mesothelioma. The two most common mesothelioma types are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up around 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is less common than epithelioid.
Most people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain and difficulty breathing. Patients with pleural mesothelioma can have an abnormal heart tone and a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.
The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is collect a tissue sample or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma also determines the way a doctor treats the condition. For instance when a patient has pericardial mesothelioma, the doctor may remove excess fluid using pleurodesis procedure or insert a pleural catheter in the body to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include chemotherapy and surgery.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, occurs in the organ's linings known as the mesothelium. The disease is most common in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes.
It can take between 10 and 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Due to this latency period many patients can be misdiagnosed. It is often mistaken for other, less serious diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. This misdiagnosis may cause delays in treatment, which could reduce the chance of a patient's survival.
Those who suspect mesothelioma should consult their physician immediately. In the initial appointment, doctors will review a patient's medical history to identify any symptoms or factors that may increase their likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos or other asbestos-containing substances, and also the type and duration of the exposure.
The doctor will then order imaging tests of the abdomen and chest to look for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays CT scans, and MRIs are all able to reveal changes in the lungs, like an increase in pleural thickness or accumulation of fluid. They can also tell the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other areas of the body.
A doctor may also request an analysis of blood to determine whether the patient has high levels of certain chemicals that are associated with mesothelioma. They may also perform the procedure known as a thoracentesis. It involves removing a sample of the fluid surrounding the lungs to search for cancerous cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, a biopsy will be taken to check an insignificant portion of the tumor to detect cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle-guided CT scan may be used to carry out this procedure. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are best for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This latest form of treatment can improve the prognosis of a patient and increase their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lung (pleural mesothelioma) and stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is not possible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment may help control symptoms.
Your doctor will ask you about your health background and will look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about asbestos exposure because it is the leading mesothelioma risk factor. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to become trapped in the linings of the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach or the heart. This causes inflammation over time and can change normal cells into cancerous cells. Blood tests and imaging tests are used to identify mesothelioma.
Your healthcare provider uses chest X-rays to determine if there is fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Your doctor will request MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to get detailed images of the affected region. Medford asbestos attorneys may also perform the needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A pathologist, also known as a mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue under a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cells and determine the kind. The pathologist will use a dye to stain the tissues to diagnose the cancer. The dye will be visible when certain types are present. They will then use a specific method to obtain an even closer view of the tissue under a microscope.
It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the cells that cause it are similar to other types of cells within the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma using other tests. This includes a blood test to determine levels of fibulin-3 as well as soluble mesothelin-related peptide.
Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment plan for mesothelioma, based on the type of cancer you have and stage. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the most common treatment options for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma is in advanced stages, you may also receive palliative treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is determined by the stage and type of 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 may damage the tissues that line vital organs and safeguard them. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or consumed, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most common mesothelioma forms are pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity (pleura) and peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer form that develops in the lining that protects the abdomen.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend that a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves the removal of the tissue to be examined. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples with databases to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can be used to estimate the life expectancy of a person suffering from mesothelioma as well as their treatment plan.
The mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma kind develops at an individual rate and responds to treatment differently. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60% to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can develop up to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Many patients aren't diagnosed of mesothelioma until they have serious symptoms. Asbestos sufferers should report their exposure to a doctor and undergo periodic checkups.
In these visits, doctors will look for signs of asbestos-related exposure for example, lung scarring or other respiratory issues. They can also do a simple blood check to determine the patient's health. If the results show that an individual is at a the highest risk of developing mesothelioma they can arrange for additional tests to receive an estimate of the prognosis. This may include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as a lung function test and an chest MRI or PET scan.