Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues lining the lungs and chest cavity and, in some cases, the abdomen's lining and the heart. Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This changes cells into mesothelioma cancer cells.
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. The majority of mesothelioma cases are located in the lungs. It can also be found in the linings of the abdomen, the heart and testicles.
The most common mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. Additionally certain patients experience abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to identify in the beginning stages particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new disease. It could take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is an examination and a health history. To determine the severity of the symptoms, a doctor may order imaging tests and blood tests. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).
X-rays can show an unusual mass or fluid in the lung. These scans may help the doctor determine the location of the mesothelioma and the kind of mesothelioma. The two most common types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. Around 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. allentown asbestos attorneys is a less favorable prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid.
The majority of patients with pleural cancer suffer from a painful, non-productive cough and breathing difficulties. In some instances, a patient with pleural mesothelioma could have an abnormal heart murmur an issue known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The best way to accurately diagnose mesothelioma involves a biopsy of tissue. The type of mesothelioma determines how a doctor will treat the disease. If a patient has pericardial cancer, the doctor will drain the excess fluid through the procedure called pleurodesis, or insert the pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and enhance breathing. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The cancerous mesothelioma is found in the organ's linings. The majority of cases occur in the lung (pleura) however it may also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
It takes between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Because of this latency period it is possible for patients to be mistakenly diagnosed. It is often misinterpreted as other, less serious illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis may result in a delay in treatment, which could reduce the chances of survival for a patient.
Those who suspect mesothelioma should consult their physician as soon as possible. In the initial appointment, doctors will review the medical history of a patient to identify any signs or symptoms that increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes any previous exposure to asbestos and asbestos, and also the type and duration of exposure.
The next step is for doctors to request imaging tests to look at the abdomen and chest for signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs can all reveal changes in the lungs, like the thickness of the pleural wall or the accumulation of fluid. They can also tell whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
A doctor can also request a test of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation called a thoracentesis which involves removal of lungs of fluid and looking for cancer cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed the biopsy procedure will be performed to examine a small piece of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be accomplished using VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) or with a needle guided by an CT scan. The results of this will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Certain patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This latest mesothelioma treatment may improve a patient's quality of life and improve their prognosis.
Treatment
Mesothelioma affects tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart or testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). It is not possible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment can help reduce symptoms.
Your doctor will ask you about your health history and check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your exposure to asbestos, since it is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to become trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach or heart. This causes inflammation over time and may transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Imaging tests and blood tests are used to identify mesothelioma.
Your healthcare provider will employ an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue and determine if you have fluid build-up (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will order an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), to get precise images. They may also perform a needle biopsy in order to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A pathologist, also known as a mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to find cancerous cell and determine the kind. To make the diagnosis the pathologist will stain the sample with a dye that shows up when certain types of protein are present. They will then use a specific method to obtain a closer look at the tissue under the microscope.
Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because the mesothelioma cells look like other types of cells found in the body. Your healthcare team will 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 peptide that is soluble.
Your healthcare provider will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma, based on your cancer type and stage. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma has reached an an advanced stage you could also be offered palliative treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma patients is dependent on the type and stage of cancer as well as factors like age and general health. Patients should consult with knowledgeable doctors to find out more about the treatment options available to them.
Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that line vital organs and protect them from harm. These asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation that can transform normal cells into mesothelioma cancers. The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma. It occurs in the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity (pleura), and peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer form that develops in the lining of the abdomen.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of symptoms, lab tests and X-rays. They may also suggest a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of taking tiny amounts of tissue to test. The doctors can compare the biopsy samples to an online database to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can be used to estimate the life expectancy of a person with mesothelioma, as well as their treatment plan.
The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and epithelial, epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma grows at a different pace and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60% to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Many patients don't get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they show significant symptoms. Asbestos-related victims should disclose their exposure to a doctor and be checked regularly.
During these visits, doctors check for signs of asbestos exposure such as scarring on the lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They can also perform an easy blood test to assess the overall health of a patient. If the results indicate that a patient is at high risk for mesothelioma, they can schedule further tests to determine if they are likely to develop an outlook. This may include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound and lung function tests and a chest MRI or PET scan.