Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs and, in rare cases the tissues surrounding the abdomen and the heart. Exposure to asbestos is the primary reason for mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers are entangled in tissues and cause DNA damage. The result is that cells transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect the organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cells to undergo a change and form mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases originate in the lungs (pleura). It can also occur in the tissues of the heart, abdomen and testicles.
The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are breathlessness coughing, chest pain and chest pain. Additionally, some patients are suffering from abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms are akin to other diseases and are difficult to diagnose, especially in the beginning stages of mesothelioma. It could take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam and a health history. A doctor can require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).
X-rays can reveal a mass or fluid that is not normal in the lungs. These scans aid the doctor determine the nature and location of the mesothelioma. The two major types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. About 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, on the other hand, is and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.
Most people with pleural cancer have a nonproductive, painful cough and breathing problems. People with pleural mesothelioma might suffer from an abnormal heart sound or a condition known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum.
The best way to accurately identify mesothelioma is through an examination of the tissues. The type of mesothelioma will determine how a doctor manages the disease. For example when a patient has mesothelioma pericardial, the doctor may eliminate excess fluid through pleurodesis procedure or insert a pleural catheter in the body to reduce inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The cancerous mesothelioma forms on the linings of the organs. The majority of cases occur in the lung (pleura), though it may also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
The symptoms of mesothelioma can appear between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Because of this time period of latency it is possible for patients to be misdiagnosed. It is often misinterpreted as other, less serious diseases, such as the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis may result in a delay in treatment that can reduce the chances of survival for a patient.
Anyone who suspects that they might have mesothelioma must see their doctor immediately. During the initial visit, doctors review the medical history of a patient to identify any signs or symptoms that increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos and asbestos litigation, as well as the nature and duration of exposure.
The doctor will then recommend imaging tests for the abdomen and chest to determine if there are signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs are all able to reveal changes in the lungs, like the thickness of the pleural wall or the accumulation of fluid. They can also reveal if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
A doctor may also recommend an examination of the blood to determine whether the patient has high levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation known as a thoracentesis which involves removing fluid from the lungs and examining the lungs for cancerous cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, a biopsy will be taken to check a small piece of the tumor to detect cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle-guided CT scan can be used to carry out this procedure. The results will help determine which mesothelioma treatments are best for the patient. This may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Some patients might also opt to take part in immunotherapy. This latest form of treatment can improve the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma affects tissues that line and protect organs, like the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Although mesothelioma is not curable, it can be treated, treatment can help control symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your asbestos attorney exposure, since asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos lawsuit can cause asbestos case fibers to become trapped in the lining of the chest cavity and tummy, or the heart (mesothelium). This causes inflammation over time and may transform normal cells into cancerous cells. Mesothelioma can be identified using imaging tests and blood tests.
Your doctor will make use of a chest X-ray to see changes in your lung tissue, and determine whether you have an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will order an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain detailed images. They will also conduct an incisional needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A pathologist, or mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cells and determine their type. To establish the diagnosis, the doctor will stain the tissue sample with a dye that lights up when certain types of protein are present. Then, they will employ an advanced method to get a closer look at the tissue under the microscope.
It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma since the cells that cause it appear similar to those of other types of cells within the body. Your care team will try to confirm the diagnosis by performing other tests. These tests involve a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3 or soluble mesothelin related peptide.
Your care team will decide on the mesothelioma treatment plan based on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. The most popular mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. The option of palliative therapy is available when your mesothelioma is at an advanced stage. This can relieve you of discomfort and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and stage of cancer, and other factors, such as the patient's age as well as general health. Patients should consult with doctors who are experienced to learn about the treatment options available to them.
Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos settlement fibers can be inhaled 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 occurs in the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity (pleura), as well as mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer form that arises in the lining that protects the abdomen.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, lab tests and X-rays. They may also suggest an examination to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves the removal of a small piece of tissue to be examined. The doctors can compare the biopsy samples to a database in order to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can be used to determine the longevity of a patient suffering from mesothelioma as well as their treatment plan.
Mesothelioma cells are classified in three categories: epithelioid or epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each mesothelioma type grows at a different rate and responds to treatment differently. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.
It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma develop after exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients don't receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and have regular checkups.
During these visits, doctors examine for signs of asbestos exposure such as scarring on the lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They may also conduct a simple blood test to check a patient's overall health. If the results indicate that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is high, they can arrange for further tests to receive a mesothelioma prognosis. This could include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as lung function tests and a chest MRI or PET scan.