Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissue lining the lungs and chest cavity and, in rare instances, the abdomen's lining and the heart. Exposure to asbestos is the principal cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. The result is that cells transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, affects the tissues which line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to undergo a change and develop into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of cases of mesothelioma are found in the lung (pleura). It can also be found in the tissues of the abdomen, the heart and testicles.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma. Additionally certain patients experience abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms are similar to those of other diseases and are difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stages of mesothelioma. It could take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to appear.

A physical examination and a medical history of the patient is the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. A doctor may ask for blood tests or imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).

X-rays can reveal a strange mass or fluid in the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is and the type of mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two main kinds. About 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, on the other hand, is and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.

The majority of patients with pleural cancer have a nonproductive, painful cough and breathing difficulties. Patients with pleural mesothelioma can suffer from an abnormal heart sound, a condition called pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum.

The most accurate way to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma also dictate how a doctor will treat the illness. For example in the case of mesothelioma pericardial the doctor could eliminate excess fluid through pleurodesis, a procedure that is known as pleurodesis, or insert a pleural catheter in the body to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

The cancerous mesothelioma forms on the organ's linings. The disease is most prevalent in the lungs, however it can also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes.

It takes between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Due to this time of latency, many patients can be incorrectly diagnosed. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious conditions such as the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis may result in a delay in treatment that can reduce the chances of survival for a patient.

Those who suspect that they may have mesothelioma need to consult their physician immediately. During the initial visit, doctors examine a patient's medical history to identify any signs or symptoms that could increase the risk of mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos case and asbestos, as well as the nature and duration of the exposure.

The next step is for doctors to conduct imaging tests to examine the chest and abdomen for signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs can all show changes in the lungs, such as the thickness of the pleural wall or the accumulation of fluid. They can also show whether mesothelioma cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

A doctor might also recommend an examination of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma. They may also perform the procedure known as a thoracentesis. It involves the removal of a sample from the lungs' fluid to check for cancerous cells.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, a biopsy is performed to test a small amount of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be done via VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or with the use of a needle that is guided by the aid of a CT scan. The results of this test will help determine the best mesothelioma treatment plan for the patient. This may include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Certain patients may choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form of mesothelioma treatment may improve a patient's quality of life and improve their outlook.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a cancer that is a threat to the tissues that line and protect organs like the lungs, stomach (peritoneal) or heart or testicles. It is impossible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment may help control symptoms.

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and search for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your asbestos lawyer exposure, since asbestos claim is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos legal can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the chest cavity's lining the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). This can cause inflammation over time, and can transform normal cells into cancerous cells. Mesothelioma can be identified using imaging tests and blood tests.

Your doctor will make use of an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue and determine whether you have the build-up of fluid (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will request an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) to obtain precise images. They will also conduct the procedure of a needle biopsy to collect a sample from the affected tissue.

A pathologist, also known as a mesothelioma expert, will analyze the tissue under a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cells and determine their type. To determine the type of mesothelioma the doctor will stain the sample with a dye that lights up when certain kinds of protein are present. The doctor will then employ an instrument to magnify the tissue.

Mesothelioma is often difficult to identify because mesothelioma-related cells appear like other types of cell in the body. Your healthcare team will try to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis by performing other tests. These tests include a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related protein that is soluble.

Your healthcare team will determine the best treatment option for mesothelioma based on the type of cancer you have and stage. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also receive palliative treatment to relieve discomfort and other signs.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and stage of cancer, and other factors such as a patient's age and general health. Patients should consult with knowledgeable doctors to find out more about the treatment options available to them.

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers harm the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or ingested and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that turn normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity (pleura) as well as mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer form that develops in the lining that protects the abdomen.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is when you take small amounts of tissue to be tested. Doctors then compare the biopsy samples against a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma-related cell type. This information will help them predict a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy and treatment plan.

Mesothelioma cells are classified into three categories: epithelioid or epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma type develops at a different rate and responds to treatment differently. Epithelioid cancer accounts for 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 to be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos, so many patients don't be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a doctor and have regular checkups.

During these visits, doctors can look for signs of asbestos exposure such as scarring on the lungs and other respiratory problems. They can also conduct a simple blood test to check the overall health of a patient. If the results indicate that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is very high, they can schedule additional tests to get an estimate of the prognosis for mesothelioma. This could include imaging tests like X radiographs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, in addition to lung function tests or chest MRI, or PET scan.