Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity, lungs, and, in rare cases the tissues surrounding the abdomen and the heart. The primary reason for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers can get stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. This causes cells to transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, affects the tissues that line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibres could cause cancerous cells to grow into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lungs (pleura). It can also be found in the tissues of the heart, abdomen and testicles.
The most frequent mesothelioma-related symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. In addition certain patients experience abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new disease. It could take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to appear.
A physical examination and patient's health history are the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. A doctor can require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).
X-rays may reveal an unusual swelling or fluid inside the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine the type and location of the mesothelioma. The two major mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Around 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a lesser-known type and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.
The majority of patients with pleural cancer suffer from a painful, non-productive cough and breathing issues. In some cases, people with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur an issue called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The best way to accurately diagnose mesothelioma involves an examination of the tissues. The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will determine how a doctor will treat the illness. If Irvine asbestos lawyer is diagnosed with pericardial cancer, the doctor will drain the excess fluid through the procedure known as pleurodesis, or insert the pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in the organ's linings, known as the mesothelium. The majority of the time, the disease develops in the lung (pleura), though it may also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
The symptoms of mesothelioma can be seen between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Because of this time period of latency, many patients may be incorrectly diagnosed. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis could result in delays in treatment, which can lower a patient's chances of surviving.
Those who suspect mesothelioma should visit their doctor as soon as possible. During the initial visit, doctors examine a patient's complete medical history to determine symptoms and any factors that may make them more likely to have mesothelioma. This includes any previous exposure to asbestos or other asbestos-containing substances, as well as the nature and duration of the exposure.
The next step is to have doctors order imaging tests to check the chest and abdomen for signs of mesothelioma and other abnormalities. Chest Xrays, CT scans and MRIs all provide detailed images of the interior of the body. They also reveal lung changes, such as pleural thickening or fluid buildup. They can also reveal whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
A doctor can also request an examination of the blood to determine whether a patient has elevated levels of certain substances that are 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 a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed the biopsy procedure will be taken to check a small piece of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle-guided CT scan may be used to carry out this procedure. The results will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment option for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients may also choose to participate in immunotherapy. This latest mesothelioma treatment can boost the quality of life of a patient and improve their prognosis.
Treatment
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line and protect organs, like the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). 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 ask you about asbestos exposure as it is the leading mesothelioma risk factor. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the chest cavity's lining the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). As time passes this causes inflammation and transforms normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma is diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests.
Your healthcare provider uses a chest X ray to determine if there is an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will order an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), to get detailed images. They will also conduct the procedure of a needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A mesothelioma expert, also known as a pathologist will examine the mesothelioma tissues under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma you have. To establish the diagnosis the pathologist will stain the sample with a dye that shows up when certain types of protein are present. They will then use an advanced method to get a closer look at the tissue under the microscope.
Mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize because the mesothelioma cells look like other types of cells in the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the diagnosis with other tests. These tests include a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related peptide that is soluble.
Your medical team will decide on a mesothelioma treatment plan depending on the kind of cancer you have and how advanced it is. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Palliative treatment may be offered if your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage. This will relieve the pain and other signs.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and the stage of cancer, and other factors, such as the patient's age and general health. Patients should consult with a doctor who are knowledgeable about their treatment options.
Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that line vital organs and safeguard them from harm. The asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and can cause genetic changes and inflammation that transform normal cells into mesothelioma cancers. The most common mesothelioma forms are pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining and chest cavity (pleura), as well as peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer form that develops in the lining of the abdomen.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is when you take tiny amounts of tissue to test. Doctors then compare the biopsy samples against a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma cells type. This information will help them predict the patient's mesothelioma's life expectancy and treatment plan.
The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and epithelial, epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells, and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma kind develops at a different rate and responds to treatment differently. Epithelioid cancer makes up 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a better survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid.
It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma develop after exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients don't get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they experience significant symptoms. Exposure to asbestos should be disclosed to a doctor, and victims should undergo periodic checks.
During these visits doctors can examine for signs of exposure to asbestos, such as scarring around the lungs or other respiratory issues. They can also perform simple blood tests to determine a patient's overall health. If the results indicate that a patient's risk of developing mesothelioma is high they can arrange for further tests to receive mesothelioma-related prognosis. This will include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound and lung function tests and a chest MRI or PET scan.