Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the lungs, chest cavity and, in rare instances, the tissues surrounding the heart and abdomen. Exposure to asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can get stuck in tissues which can cause DNA damage. The result is that cells turn into mesothelioma cancerous cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, affects the tissues that connect and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to undergo a change and form mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lung. It can also occur in the linings of the abdomen, heart and testicles.
The most frequent mesothelioma-related symptoms are shortness of breath as well as chest pain and coughing. Some patients also feel abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms are similar to those of other diseases and are difficult to diagnose, especially in the beginning stages of mesothelioma. It may take years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to show up.
A physical examination and a health history of the patient are the first steps in determining mesothelioma. To determine the severity of symptoms the doctor can order tests for blood 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 lung. These scans can help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is located and the kind of mesothelioma. The two main types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for about 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is less prevalent than epithelioid.
The majority of people diagnosed with pleural melanoma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and trouble breathing. In some cases, a person with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur, which is called pericardial effusion, or a swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The most accurate method to identify mesothelioma is to take a biopsy of tissue. The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will determine how a doctor manages the disease. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer doctors will drain excess fluid using the procedure called pleurodesis, or insert an pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and improve respiration. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The cancerous mesothelioma develops on the linings of organs. The disease most commonly occurs in the lungs (pleura) however it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
It takes between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to manifest. Due to this latency period many patients could be incorrectly diagnosed. bloomington asbestos lawsuit is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that are less serious, such as the flu or pneumonia. This can lead to delays in treatment, which may reduce the chances of survival.
Those who suspect that they may have mesothelioma need to visit their doctor right away. In the initial appointment, doctors will review a patient's medical history to identify any symptoms or conditions that may increase their likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes any previous exposure to asbestos and asbestos, and also the type and duration of exposure.
The doctor will then recommend imaging tests of the abdomen and chest to check for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X rays, CT scans and MRIs are all able to reveal changes in the lungs, including the thickness of the pleural wall or the accumulation of fluid. They can also tell whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
A doctor can also request a test of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation known as a thoracentesis which involves taking out the lungs of fluid and looking for cancer cells.
If mesothelioma is found to be the cause the biopsy procedure is carried out to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cell. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan can be used to carry out this procedure. The results will help determine the best mesothelioma treatment option for the patient. This can include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Some patients also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form of mesothelioma treatment could improve a patient's quality of life and improve their outlook.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lung (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart or testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Although mesothelioma is not curable, it can be treated but treatment can help manage symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your exposure to asbestos, since asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibers to get trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach or the heart. This causes inflammation over time and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma is diagnosed with imaging tests and blood tests.
Your doctor will make use of a chest X-ray to see changes in the lung tissue and determine if you have fluid build-up (pleural effusion). Your doctor will request MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain detailed images of the affected region. They may also perform the needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A pathologist, also known as a mesothelioma specialist, will look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to find cancerous cell and determine the type. The pathologist will employ a dye to stain the tissue samples to diagnose the cancer. The dye will be visible when certain types of cancer are present. They will then employ a specific method to obtain an in-depth look at the tissue under the microscope.
It is sometimes difficult to identify mesothelioma since the mesothelioma-causing cells 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 a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3, or soluble mesothelin related peptide.
Your healthcare provider will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma based on the type of cancer you have and stage. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most common treatment options for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma is in an advanced stage you could also be offered palliative care to ease discomfort and other signs.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma patients is dependent on the type and stage cancer as well as other factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with doctors who are knowledgeable about their treatment options.
Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that line vital organs and protect them. The asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation, which transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most frequent forms of mesothelioma are mesothelioma pleural (which is a tumor that develops on the lung linings as well as the chest cavity and abdomen) mesothelioma.
The doctor diagnoses mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays. They may also suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves the removal of the tissue to be examined. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples with an online database to determine the most likely mesothelioma type. This information can be used to predict the longevity of a patient with mesothelioma, as well as their treatment plan.
The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and epithelial, epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells, and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma type grows at an individual rate and responds to treatment differently. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.
It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients don't receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos exposure should be disclosed to a physician, and victims must undergo regular checks.
During these visits, doctors can look for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring around the lungs or other respiratory issues. They can also conduct simple blood tests to determine the patient's health. If the results indicate that the patient is at a the highest risk of developing mesothelioma they can schedule additional tests to get an estimate of the prognosis. This could include imaging tests such as X radiographs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, in addition to the lung function test, a chest MRI or PET scan.