Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs and, in rare cases the tissues surrounding the heart and abdomen. The primary cause of mesothelioma lies in asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This causes cells to transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect the organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cells to undergo a change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. Most cases of mesothelioma are found in the lungs. It can also occur in the linings of the heart, abdomen and testicles.
The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are breathlessness as well as chest pain and coughing. Patients may also suffer from abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms are akin to other illnesses and can be difficult to recognize, especially in the early stages of mesothelioma. The signs of mesothelioma might not manifest for years or even decades following asbestos exposure.
A physical examination and health history of the patient are the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. A doctor may request 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 mass or fluid in the lungs. These scans aid the doctor determine the nature and location of the mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two major types. About 70% of mesothelioma is epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is less prevalent than epithelioid.
Most people with pleural cancer suffer from a painful, non-productive cough and breathing issues. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart tone, a condition called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.
The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma also determines how a doctor will treat the condition. For example in the case of pericardial mesothelioma doctors may remove excess fluid using pleurodesis procedure or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The mesothelioma-related cancer develops on the organ's linings. The disease most commonly occurs in the lung (pleura), though it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
The symptoms of mesothelioma can be noticed between 10 and 50 years after the initial exposure. Because of this latency period many patients are misdiagnosed. It is often mistaken for other less serious illnesses, like the flu or pneumonia. This can cause delays in treatment, which could reduce the chance of a patient's survival.
Anyone who suspects mesothelioma should see their doctor as soon as possible. During the initial visit, doctors take a patient's full medical history to determine signs and other factors that may make them more likely to have mesothelioma. This includes previous asbestos exposure as well as the nature and duration of the exposure.
The doctor will then recommend imaging tests of the abdomen and chest to determine if there are signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays CT scans and MRIs all offer detailed images of the inside of the body. They also reveal lung changes like the thickening of the pleura or the buildup of fluid. They can also tell the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other areas of the body.
A doctor may also order a test of the blood to determine whether a patient has elevated levels in certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation called a thoracentesis which involves removal of lungs of fluid and examining the lungs for cancerous cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed the biopsy procedure will be taken to check a small piece of the tumor to detect cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle guided CT scan may be used to perform this procedure. The results will help determine which mesothelioma treatments are the most effective for the patient. This may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Some patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This latest mesothelioma treatment may improve a patient's quality of life and improve their prognosis.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, including the lung (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is not possible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment can help reduce symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure as it is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibers to become stuck in the linings of the chest cavity (mesothelium), stomach or heart. This causes inflammation over time and can change normal cells into cancerous cells. Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma.
Your doctor will make use of an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue, and determine if you have fluid build-up (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will request an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) to obtain high-quality images. They will also do the needle biopsy to collect an image of the affected tissue.
A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will look at mesothelioma cells under a microscope to detect cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma you have. To make boston asbestos attorneys , the doctor will stain the sample with a dye that shows up when certain kinds of protein are present. Then, they will employ a specific method to obtain a closer look at the tissue under a microscope.
It can be 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 mesothelioma diagnosis by performing other tests. These tests involve a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3, or soluble mesothelin related peptide.
Your medical team will determine mesothelioma treatments based on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most popular treatment options for mesothelioma. A palliative treatment option is available when your mesothelioma is at an advanced stage. This will relieve the discomfort and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and the stage of cancer, and other factors like the patient's age as well as general health. Patients should consult with doctors who are knowledgeable about the treatment options available to them.
Asbestos fibers can cause damage to tissues that line vital organs and safeguard them from harm. These asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma forms are mesothelioma pleural (which develops on the lung linings as well as the chest cavity and abdomen) mesothelioma.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend taking a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking tiny amounts of tissue to test. Doctors then compare the biopsy samples against a database to determine the most likely mesothelioma cell type. This information will help them predict the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan.
The mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma grows at a different pace and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 60 percent to 80% cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.
It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma develop following exposure to asbestos, so many patients do not get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they show signs of. Asbestos sufferers should report their exposure to a doctor and be checked regularly.
During these visits doctors can check for signs of exposure to asbestos for example, scarring around the lungs, or other respiratory problems. They can also conduct an easy blood test to determine the health of the patient. If the results indicate that a patient is at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma they can schedule further tests to determine if they are likely to develop an estimate of the prognosis. This could include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound, as well as lung function tests and an chest MRI or PET scan.