Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the lungs, chest cavity and, in rare instances, the tissues of the abdomen and the heart. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers are entangled in tissues and cause DNA damage. This changes cells into mesothelioma cancer 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 may cause the cells to change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. Most cases of mesothelioma are located in the lungs. However, it can also happen in the abdominal lining, heart and testicles.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort and coughing are the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Some patients also suffer from abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms can be confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning, especially when mesothelioma is still a relatively new condition. It may take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to appear.

The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is an examination and a medical history. To determine the severity of symptoms, a doctor may order blood tests and imaging scans. These scans may 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 lungs. These scans help the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. The two major mesothelioma types are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. About 70% of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is less common and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.

Most people with pleural cancer suffer from a painful, nonproductive cough and breathing issues. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart tone or a condition known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum.

The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma determines how a doctor will treat the disease. If a patient has pericardial cancer doctors will remove excess fluid with a procedure known as pleurodesis, or place an pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve respiration. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the organ's linings called the mesothelium. The majority of cases occur in the lungs (pleura) but it may also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).

It can take between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma or mesothelioma onset. Due to this latency period many patients are misdiagnosed. This condition is often mistakenly referred to as other conditions that are less serious such as pneumonia or the flu. This mistake can lead to delays in treatment, which may lower a patient's chances of survival.

Those who suspect mesothelioma should visit their doctor as soon as they can. In the initial visit, doctors examine a patient's medical history to identify any symptoms or conditions that increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos lawyer and asbestos, as well as the type and duration of the exposure.

The next step is to have doctors order imaging tests to check the abdomen and chest for signs of mesothelioma and other abnormalities. Chest X-rays CT scans, and MRIs can all show changes in the lungs, including an increase in pleural thickness or accumulation of fluid. They can also show whether mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

A doctor will also order an analysis of blood to determine whether the patient has high levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma. They can also carry out an operation known as a thoracentesis. It involves removing a sample of the fluid surrounding the lungs to look for cancer cells.

If a mesothelioma is confirmed, a biopsy is performed to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be accomplished using VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) or through an instrument that guides the needle through an CT scan. The results of this test will help determine the best mesothelioma treatment for the patient. This may include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Certain patients may choose to take part in immunotherapy. This latest form of treatment can improve the prognosis of a patient and increase their quality of life.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissues which line and protect organs, such as the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or the heart or testicles. It is impossible to cure mesothelioma but treatment can help manage symptoms.

Your doctor will inquire about your medical background and will look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your asbestos exposure, since asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos claim can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the lining of the chest cavity, tummy or heart (mesothelium). Over time, this causes inflammation and transforms normal cells into cancerous ones. Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma.

Your healthcare provider uses chest X-rays to determine if you have an accumulation of fluid (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 do an incisional needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue.

A pathologist, or mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cell and determine the type. The pathologist will use a dye to color the tissue samples to determine the type of cancer. This dye is visible when certain types of mesothelioma are present. They will then use an advanced method to get a closer look at the tissue under microscope.

It is sometimes difficult to identify mesothelioma since the mesothelioma-causing cells appear similar to those of other types of cells within the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by performing other tests. These tests include the collection 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 plan for mesothelioma, based on the type of cancer and stage. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the most common treatments for mesothelioma. Palliative treatment may be offered if your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage. This will alleviate your pain and other symptoms.

Prognosis

The outlook for mesothelioma is based on the type and the stage of cancer, and other factors like a patient's age and general health. Patients should consult knowledgeable doctors to find out more about their treatment options.

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. These asbestos compensation fibers can be inhaled or ingested, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that convert normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma forms are the pleural (which forms on the lung linings, chest cavity, and abdomen) mesothelioma.

The doctor diagnoses mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays. They may also suggest taking a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue for testing. Doctors can then compare the samples of the biopsy to a database to determine the most likely mesothelioma cells type. This information can be used to estimate the life expectancy of a patient with mesothelioma and their treatment plan.

Mesothelioma cells can be classified into three categories: epithelioid epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma type grows at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.

It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos, so many patients do not be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a doctor and be checked regularly.

During these visits, doctors look for signs of asbestos exposure such as scarring on the lung and other respiratory issues. They can also perform a simple blood test to assess the health of a patient's general. If the results indicate that a patient's risk for mesothelioma is high, they can arrange for further tests to determine a mesothelioma prognosis. This may include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound, as well as a lung function test and a chest MRI or PET scan.