Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissues lining the chest cavity and lungs and, in rare instances the abdominal lining and heart. The main reason for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers can become stuck in tissues which can 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 within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to undergo a change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lung (pleura). It can also be found in the tissues of the heart, abdomen and testicles.
Breathlessness, chest discomfort and coughing are the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Additionally patients may suffer from abdominal pain as well as fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to diagnose in the early stages particularly when mesothelioma still a relatively young disease. The signs of mesothelioma might not manifest for years or even decades following asbestos exposure.
A physical examination and patient's health history are the first steps in determining mesothelioma. A doctor can ask for blood tests or imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).
X-rays may reveal a mass or fluid that isn't normal in the lung. These scans may help the doctor determine the location of the mesothelioma and the type of mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid and epithelioid mesothelioma the two main kinds. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for around 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid.
houston asbestos lawyer of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and difficulty breathing. A person with pleural msothelioma can have an abnormal heart sound or a condition known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum.
The most effective method to identify mesothelioma is to take a biopsy of tissue. The type of mesothelioma also determines how a doctor will treat the disease. For instance, if a person has mesothelioma of the pericardium the doctor could remove excess fluid using pleurodesis, a procedure that is known as pleurodesis, or install an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the organ's linings, known as the mesothelium. The majority of cases occur in the lungs (pleura) however it may also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
The symptoms of mesothelioma can be noticed between 10 and 50 years after the first exposure. Because of this time period of latency many patients are incorrectly diagnosed. This disease is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that are less serious such as pneumonia or the flu. This misdiagnosis may result in a delay in treatment, which could reduce the chance of a patient's survival.
If you suspect that you might have mesothelioma must see their doctor immediately. During the initial visit, doctors take a patient's full medical history to identify signs and any other factors that may make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes previous asbestos exposure, as well the kind and duration.
The doctor will then order imaging tests in the abdomen and chest to check for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays CT scans, and MRIs can all reveal changes in the lungs, like the thickness of the pleural wall or the accumulation of fluid. They can also tell if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
A doctor might also recommend an examination of the blood to determine whether a patient has elevated levels in certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They may also perform an operation known as a thoracentesis, which involves the removal of a sample from the lungs' fluid to look for cancer cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed A biopsy is then performed to check a small sample of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be done via VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments) or through an instrument that guides the needle through a CT scan. The results of this will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment option for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients will also opt to undergo immunotherapy. This newer type of treatment can enhance the prognosis of a patient and increase their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lung (pleural mesothelioma) and stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Although mesothelioma is not curable, it can be treated but treatment can help manage symptoms.
Your doctor will ask you about your medical background and will look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about asbestos exposure since it is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibers to be trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach or heart. This causes inflammation over time, and can transform normal cells into cancerous cells. Mesothelioma can be identified using blood tests and imaging tests.
Your healthcare provider will use an X-ray chest scan to observe changes in your lung tissue, and determine if you suffer from the build-up of fluid (pleural effusion). Your doctor will recommend an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions (PET) to obtain detailed images. They may also perform the needle biopsy to collect an image of the affected tissue.
A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will examine the mesothelioma tissues under a microscope to detect cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma that you have. To determine the type of mesothelioma the doctor will stain the tissue sample with a dye that lights up when certain kinds of protein are present. The doctor will then employ techniques to magnify the tissue.
It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma since the mesothelioma-causing cells are similar to other types of cells within the body. Your healthcare team will try to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by performing other tests. They may use blood tests to determine the levels of fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related peptide that is soluble.
Your care team will choose the mesothelioma treatment plan based on the kind of cancer you have and how advanced it is. The most common mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also receive palliative care to ease discomfort and other signs.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is based on the type and stage of cancer as well as factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with experienced doctors to learn more about their treatment options.
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers harm the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers are breathed in or eaten, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation, which transform normal cells into mesothelioma cancers. The most frequent mesothelioma forms are pleural (which forms on the linings of the lungs, chest cavity, and abdomen) mesothelioma.
The doctor diagnoses mesothelioma based on symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is when you take tiny amounts of tissue for testing. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples to databases to determine the most likely mesothelioma type. This information will help them predict the patient's mesothelioma's life expectancy and treatment plan.
Mesothelioma cells are classified into three categories: epithelioid, epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma grows at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma may develop for up to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Many patients aren't diagnosed of mesothelioma until they have severe symptoms. Exposure to asbestos should be disclosed to a doctor and the victims should undergo periodic checks.
During these visits, doctors can examine for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring on the lungs and other respiratory problems. They can also conduct an easy blood test to determine a patient's overall health. If the results show that a patient is at an increased risk of mesothelioma, they can schedule additional tests to determine if they are likely to develop a prognosis. This could include imaging tests like X radiographs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well a lung function test, a chest MRI, or PET scan.