Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs and, in some cases, the tissues of the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the principal cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. The result is that cells transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, affects tissues that connect and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cells to change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. The majority of mesothelioma cases occur in the lungs (pleura). It can also develop in the linings of the abdomen, the heart and testicles.
The most common mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath coughing, chest pain and chest pain. In addition certain patients experience abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms are similar to many other diseases and are difficult to identify, particularly in the early stages of mesothelioma. asbestos mesothelioma may take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to appear.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is an examination and a medical history. To determine the severity of symptoms doctors may recommend tests for blood and imaging scans. These scans could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).
X-rays could reveal a lump or fluid that is not normal in the lung. These scans can assist the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is and the type of mesothelioma. The two most common mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for around 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, on the other hand, is, and has a worse prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.
The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough as well as chest wall pain and difficulty breathing. A person with pleural msothelioma can have an abnormal heart sound, a condition called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.
The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is collect a tissue sample or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma also determines how a doctor will treat the disease. For example, if a person has mesothelioma of the pericardium doctors may remove excess fluid using pleurodesis, a procedure that is known as pleurodesis, or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The cancerous mesothelioma develops on the organ's linings. The disease is most prevalent in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes.
It takes between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Because of this latency time, many patients could be mistakenly diagnosed. It is often misinterpreted as other, less serious diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. This mistake could result in a delay in treatment that can reduce a patient's chance of survival.
Those who suspect mesothelioma should visit their doctor immediately. During the initial visit, doctors examine a patient's complete medical history to look for signs and other factors that could make them more susceptible to mesothelioma. This includes asbestos exposure in the past as well as the kind and duration.
The doctor will then order imaging tests of the chest and abdomen to look for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays CT scans and MRIs all offer detailed images of the inside of the body. They can reveal lung changes, such as the thickening of the pleura or the buildup of fluid. They can also show whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
A doctor will also order a blood test to see whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation known as a thoracentesis which involves removal of lungs of fluid and looking for cancer cells.
If mesothelioma is found to be the cause the biopsy procedure is carried out to check a small sample of the tumor for cancerous cell. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle-guided CT scan may be used to perform this procedure. The results 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 more advanced mesothelioma treatment could improve the quality of life for patients and improve their prognosis.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is a threat to the tissues that line and protect organs such as the lungs, stomach (peritoneal) or the heart or testicles. It is impossible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment can help reduce symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and look for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure since it is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to get trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach, chest cavity or heart. As time passes, this causes inflammation and transforms normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed using blood tests and imaging tests.
Your doctor will use chest X-rays to determine if you suffer from an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). The doctor will recommend MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain precise images of the affected area. They will also conduct the procedure of a needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A pathologist, a mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to identify cancerous cells and determine their kind. The doctor will use a dye to color the tissue samples to identify the cancer. The dye is visible when certain types of mesothelioma are present. They will then use an advanced method to get an in-depth look at the tissue under the microscope.
It is sometimes difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the cells that cause it are similar to other types of cells in the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma using other tests. These tests include an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3 or mesothelin related protein that is soluble.
Your healthcare team will decide on a mesothelioma treatment plan depending on the kind of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most commonly used treatments for mesothelioma. Palliative treatment may be offered in the event that your mesothelioma has progressed to an advanced stage. This will alleviate your discomfort and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and the stage of cancer, as well as other factors such as the patient's age and general health. Patients should consult skilled doctors to know more about their treatment options.
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation, which transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most common mesothelioma forms are mesothelioma pleural (which forms on the lung linings, chest cavity, and abdomen) mesothelioma.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays. They may also suggest taking a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of taking small amounts of tissue to test. Doctors then compare the biopsy samples against a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma-related cell type. This information will help them predict a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy and treatment plan.
The mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma type grows 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 or biphasic mesothelioma.
It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos, so many patients don't receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they show signs of. Exposure to asbestos should be disclosed to a doctor and patients should be checked regularly.
During these visits doctors can check for signs of asbestos-related exposure like scarring around the lungs or other respiratory issues. They may also conduct simple blood tests to assess the overall health of a patient. If the results indicate that a patient's risk for mesothelioma is high they can schedule additional tests to receive an estimate of the prognosis for mesothelioma. This could include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as lung function tests and an chest MRI or PET scan.