Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity and lungs and, in some cases the lining of the abdomen and heart. The main reason for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. The result is that cells turn into cancerous mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect the organs inside the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors. Most cases of mesothelioma are located in the lungs. However, it can occur in the lining of the abdomen, heart and testicles.
The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. In addition patients may experience abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to diagnose in the beginning particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively young disease. The symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear for years or even decades following asbestos exposure.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is an examination and a medical history. A doctor might require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans include CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).
X-rays can reveal a strange mass or fluid in the lung. These scans may help the doctor determine the location of the mesothelioma and the kind of mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two most prevalent types. About 70% of mesothelioma is epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is less common and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.
People with pleural cancer typically suffer from a painful, nonproductive cough and breathing problems. In some cases, people with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur, which is known as pericardial effusion or a swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The most reliable method to determine if mesothelioma has been diagnosed is to collect a tissue sample or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will also determine how a physician manages the disease. If a patient has pericardial cancer, the doctor will drain excess fluid using the procedure called pleurodesis or insert a pleural catheter in order to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The mesothelioma cancerous form forms on the linings of the organs. The disease is most prevalent in the lungs. However, it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes.
It takes between 10 to 50 years for the first signs of mesothelioma or mesothelioma onset. Due to this latency period many patients can be incorrectly diagnosed. It is often mistaken for other less serious diseases, such as the flu or pneumonia. This can cause delays in treatment, which can decrease the chance of a patient's survival.
Anyone who suspects that they may have mesothelioma need to see their doctor immediately. During the first visit, doctors examine a patient's complete medical history to look for signs and other factors that might make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos, and also the type and duration of exposure.
The doctor will then recommend imaging tests in the chest and abdomen to determine if there are signs of mesothelioma. Chest X rays, CT scans and MRIs can all show changes in the lungs, such as pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also show if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
gastonia asbestos law firm may also order an examination of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma. They may also perform an operation known as the thoracentesis. This involves the removal of a small amount of the fluid surrounding the lungs to search for cancerous cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed the biopsy procedure is carried out to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cell. This can be done via VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments) or with the use of a needle that is guided by a CT scan. The results will aid in determining the best mesothelioma treatment for the patient. This can include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients will also opt to undergo immunotherapy. This newer type of treatment can enhance the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line and protect organs, like the lungs (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 about your medical history and look for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about asbestos exposure because it is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to be stuck in the linings of the chest cavity (mesothelium), stomach or heart. This can cause inflammation over time, and can change normal cells into cancerous ones. Blood tests and imaging tests are used to identify mesothelioma.
Your healthcare provider will use an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in the lung tissue and determine if you have fluid build-up (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 perform the procedure of a needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A pathologist, or mesothelioma specialist, will look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to identify cancerous cell and determine the kind. To determine the type of mesothelioma, the doctor will stain the sample with a dye that lights up when certain kinds of protein are present. The doctor will then use a technique to magnify the tissue.
It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the cells that cause it look similar to those of other types of cells within the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis with other tests. This includes a blood test to determine levels of fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related peptide that is soluble.
Your healthcare provider will decide the best treatment plan for mesothelioma depending on your cancer type and stage. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A palliative treatment option is available in the event that your mesothelioma has progressed to an advanced stage. This will alleviate you of pain and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma varies on the type and the stage of cancer, in addition to other factors, such as a patient's age and general health. Patients should work with skilled doctors to know more about their treatment options.
Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that line vital organs and protect them. These asbestos fibers can be inhaled or consumed and, over time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that convert normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma variants are pleural mesothelioma. It occurs in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura) and peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer type that is found in the lining that protects the abdomen.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend that a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal the tissue to be tested. 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 determine the longevity of a patient with mesothelioma and their treatment plan.
Mesothelioma cells can be classified into three categories: epithelioid epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma kind develops at different rates and responds to treatment differently. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up 60% to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.
It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos, so many patients do not receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they show signs of. Asbestos exposure must be reported to a physician, and victims must undergo regular checks.
During these visits, doctors can check for signs of exposure to asbestos, such as scarring around the lungs or other respiratory issues. They can also perform an easy blood test to determine the patient's health. If the results show that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is very high, they can arrange for further tests to determine mesothelioma-related prognosis. This will include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound and a lung function test and an chest MRI or PET scan.