What is Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be overwhelming. It's normal to be shocked, upset and confused.
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleura which is the lung's protective wall. This cancer causes a buildup of fluid in the lungs, making breathing difficult.
Asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. The most at risk are those who have worked with asbestos, or who were living with someone who had asbestos exposure.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in the tissues' lining, known as the mesothelium. This lining covers and protects most of the organs in your body including your heart, chest and abdomen. It is made up of two layers, which form the sac, which covers the organs in your body. The fluid that flows between the layers allows the organs to move around freely. Mesothelioma cancer cells develop into malignant or cancerous, and they grow into and destroy nearby tissues. They may also expand (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
The people who are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma are those who have been exposed to asbestos while at work. Asbestos workers include construction workers plumbers, electricians and plumbers asbestos miners, welders, auto industry workers, and many more. Workers who live or work near asbestos-containing facilities like factories and power plants, are also at risk. People diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos for between 20 and 60 years before their illness manifests.
The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural, which is found in the lining that surrounds the lung. This type of mesothelioma could cause chest pain, breathing difficulties and weight loss. It typically affects the lungs, but it can also affect other organs, such as the heart and stomach. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare form of the disease that affects the lining within the abdominal cavity. It can cause pain and difficulty eating.
Other types of mesothelioma are mesothelioma of the pericardial and tunica vaginal both of which are found in the tissue that is lining the tissues of the abdomen, chest or testicles, respectively. These mesothelioma types are often undiagnosed and have a lower survival rate than other forms.
The prognosis of mesothelioma varies on the type, location and stage of the disease at the moment of diagnosis as well as the general health status. Some patients are successfully treated using surgery, chemo and radiation. Patients with advanced mesothelioma may receive experimental treatments, such as gene therapy or immunotherapy. In any scenario the treatment options available can dramatically increase a person's life duration.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, usually occurs in the chest cavity or abdomen. The cancer is caused by asbestos, which was utilized in construction, shipbuilding as well as energy generation and home renovations until it was banned in the year 1970. Exposure is primarily due to working in the asbestos industry, but people who have cleaned up work clothing containing asbestos fibres or disturbed asbestos during home renovations are also at risk of developing mesothelioma.
The majority of patients with mesothelioma suffer from general symptoms, such as fatigue and weight loss, coughing that has changes in frequency or intensity, chest pain, and the list goes on. Patients should consult their physician if they experience any of these symptoms. Consult your physician whether you've been exposed asbestos.
In pleural mesothelioma, symptoms usually occur due to the tumor that causes fluid build-up within the space around the lung. This build-up of fluid, also known as a “pleural effusion” can put pressure on the lungs, which makes breathing difficult. The volume of fluid that is in the pleural cavity can improve breathing difficulties.
Other symptoms of mesothelioma include the night sweats, a fever, and abdominal pain. The body's temperature rises when it fights the disease. This is what causes the fever. The body tries to reduce its temperature by producing night sweats in response to the temperature. These symptoms are indicators that cancer is advancing and causing stress on the body.
Less frequent mesothelioma signs include the abdomen swelling, fatigue and difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue surrounding the heart, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Mesothelioma may also grow in the membrane that surrounds the testicles. This can lead to swelling or lumps.
Because mesothelioma can be so rare and difficult to detect early. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other illnesses, and can even be mistaken for pneumonia or a flu. Mesothelioma can take up to years before symptoms are recognized.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose. Doctors must exclude other conditions with similar symptoms before determining mesothelioma. Once this is done, they can determine the best treatment options for you.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and conduct an exam. Your doctor may conduct blood tests to see the efficiency of your organs. A complete blood count (CBC) is a test that examines the number of white and red blood cells and how well your kidneys and liver are functioning, is one such test. Mesothelioma cells are often seen in these blood tests, however they are difficult to identify because they appear like normal cells.
If your doctor suspects that you may have mesothelioma, they will likely order imaging to determine the size and the location of any fluid or growths in the lungs or abdomen. A chest x-ray is the most common test, however if it does not show any abnormalities, the doctor may decide to order more specific tests like a CT scan or an MRI.
These tests give high-resolution pictures of the body by radio waves and powerful magnets to produce detailed pictures. They can detect the presence of fluid and thickening in the peritoneum or pleura which could be a sign of mesothelioma. A CT scan may also detect other health issues, such as pneumonia or lung infections.
Doctors can sometimes be able to determine the type of mesothelioma that you have by examining a sample of your tissue taken during a biopsy. This is the only way to determine mesothelioma attorneys. These samples are examined with a magnifying glass in order to determine the kind of mesothelioma and the extent of the cancer's spread.
Some doctors may also inject dye into a vein or perform other tests to identify the region in which the cancer is. This is known as staging mesothelioma and helps doctors understand how much the tumor has grown and the severity.
Treatment
Mesothelioma occurs in the cells that line the lung and other organs. The cells can multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors. The cancer spreads because cells aren't able to respond to signals that prevent the growth of the cells too fast. It may also infiltrate the blood vessels that provide oxygen to the lung. This can cause breathing difficulties and cough.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of the patient's symptoms and his history of asbestos exposure. They may also request imaging and other lab tests in order to find and detect tumors. For instance, doctors may use chest X-rays to check for changes in the lungs, such as pleural thickening or pleural effusion. This is fluid build-up. They may also order CT scanning, an MRI or a PET scan to see the location of the tumors and determine the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. They can also draw fluid from the lungs (called a Thoracentesis) to test for mesothelioma and to relieve pressure on the lungs brought on by fluid accumulation.
When mesothelioma is discovered doctors can determine the best treatment to manage the disease. It is crucial to discuss the treatment options with your mesothelioma physician. Some patients want aggressive treatment to extend their lives and increase their chances of the chances of survival, while others are comfortable with an approach that is less intensive to decrease pain, nausea and other adverse effects.
Mesothelioma treatment options include radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. The type of treatment that a person receives is determined by the stage of their mesothelioma and whether or not it is composed of sarcomatoid or epithelioid cells. The epithelioid cells are easier to remove surgically and has a better chance of success than sarcomatoid. Some patients are a mix of both kinds, and they typically have less favorable outcomes than patients with epithelioid-only mesothelioma.
After you have completed your treatment, it is important to check in with your mesothelioma physician regularly. This will stop the cancer from recurring. If it occurs again the mesothelioma team will devise a new treatment strategy.
Some patients with mesothelioma are enrolled in clinical trials to test new treatments. Clinical trials allow patients access to the most cutting-edge treatments, but they are not yet approved for general use.