Lung Cancer Asbestos Mesothelioma

Cancers caused by asbestos exposure could affect the lungs and the heart. Mesothelioma is found in the lining that surrounds these organs.

Mesothelioma symptoms can take between 10 - 50 years to develop and appear similar to illnesses that are less serious. This latency period makes it difficult to identify.

Doctors diagnose lung cancer by looking at the kind of cancer and the cell structure. There are two broad classifications of cancer: small cell and non-small cell.

Symptoms

Lung cancer asbestos mesothelioma develops in the protective linings around internal organs called the mesothelium. It is a cancer that can form in the linings of the abdomen, the heart and testicles. It can take decades from the first exposure to the beginning to show symptoms. Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that contain microscopic fibers. These fibers can be inhaled, swallowed and bonded to organ linings. Most often, exposure to asbestos legal (My Home Page) occurs when a person is employed in a field that uses it as a building material or insulation. Mesothelioma can be a serious illness that can affect construction workers, asbestos miners, and welders. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service in the military are also at risk.

To diagnose mesothelioma, you must first schedule an appointment with your doctor. During this appointment doctors will ask patients about any symptoms they're experiencing. They will also look over the patient's medical records to determine if they have any conditions that may increase their risk of developing mesothelioma.

If mesothelioma is suspected, doctors may order chest Xrays and CT scans in order to detect any abnormalities. X-rays may show calcium deposits in the lungs, thickening in the lung lining, or the fluid between the lungs. A CT scan is a more sophisticated machine that blends multiple X-rays into a picture of the inside of your body. It can reveal any changes in the structure of the lungs or abdomen and help doctors locate the tumor.

A CT scan will also detect signs of mesothelioma in the peritoneum or chest cavity liner. It can also be used to determine if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

A biopsy is done to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the stage of mesothelioma. In certain instances the lung biopsy can be done using VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments). This involves inserting a tube with cameras through the chest. A sterilized talcum powder is in the chest cavity to cause inflammation that closes the area, allowing doctors to remove samples of the lining.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of mesothelioma is based on the symptoms, medical history and laboratory tests. Doctors search for asbestos-related cells in fluid or tissue samples and then compare them to cancer cells found in different areas of the body. If mesothelioma is spreading to the lungs, the doctors will examine the area with CT scans or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET).

Doctors detect pleural mesothelioma through taking a sample from around the lungs, or from other areas of the chest wall where mesothelioma is spreading. They can also conduct a tissue biopsy to check for cancer cells or mesothelioma. A doctor may also order tests on blood to determine if the person has high levels of specific chemicals that could indicate mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma and lung cancer are alike in many ways, however mesothelioma affects the lining around the lungs, whereas lung cancer develops inside the lungs. This means that the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as symptoms of other diseases like pneumonia or the flu. In addition, mesothelioma could take 10 - 50 years before showing signs, so patients should be aware of any unusual symptoms to their physician.

A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients determine whether their symptoms are linked to asbestos exposure. They can also discuss the symptoms of patients and what kind of tests or procedures they should undergo. They can assist patients in finding mesothelioma specialists who can aid in diagnosing the disease.

Researchers are working on new methods to help tell mesothelioma apart from other diseases like identifying asbestos-related proteins in the body or measuring levels of hyaluronic acid in the eyes and joints. These tests could be used to identify the mesothelioma type, and to predict the way it will respond to treatment.

Notifying any unusual symptoms, especially those that are connected with mesothelioma or lung cancer, to your doctor is very important. People with a history of asbestos settlement exposure should visit their doctors frequently for medical examinations. This will allow them to receive an early mesothelioma diagnosis and increase the odds of receiving treatment that extends their lives. Contact the Mesothelioma Hope Team today to speak with a seasoned Patient Advocate.

Treatment

Treatment options are determined by the kind of mesothelioma or lung cancer that a patient is diagnosed with. Patients should discuss their options for treatment with a doctor. A majority of patients choose to undergo active treatment, which could include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy, in order to improve their odds of survival. Doctors also treat mesothelioma with immunotherapy which is a kind of experimental therapy that utilizes targeted drugs to target specific cells within the body.

Lung cancer asbestos-mesothelioma could be accompanied by a variety of symptoms that make it difficult to determine. Often, the symptoms are similar to those of other respiratory ailments or heart conditions. Asbestos victims should contact an expert immediately when they experience any of the following symptoms.

A biopsy may be conducted by a doctor to determine if the patient is suffering from mesothelioma. The doctor will insert an needle through the skin or make an incision on the abdomen or chest to take out some of the tissue. The tissue will be examined under a microscope to determine if it's mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is classified into two types: epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid. Epithelioid Mesothelioma can be more aggressive than sarcomatoid but has a better prognosis. A thoracoscopic biopsies with the direct visualization of pleural nodules may increase diagnostic accuracy up to 25 percent.

While mesothelioma and lung cancer are both cancers, they are distinct from each other. Lung cancer is a disease that affects the lungs. Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the tissues of organs like the lungs and the heart. Exposure to asbestos can cause both cancers.

Asbestos workers who were recently diagnosed with cancer of the lung or Mesothelioma may want to consider taking part in clinical trials that test new treatments. This could result in better outcomes and a longer period of living symptom-free. However, it's important for patients to discuss their wishes and goals with their physicians. Some patients decide to endure adverse effects to improve their odds of success. Others would prefer to be at ease as long as they can. These decisions should be taken in conjunction with the health medical team.

Prognosis

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, develops in the mesothelium. This is a thin membrane which protects organs like the lung. It is usually caused by asbestos exposure and symptoms can manifest between 10 and 50 years after exposure.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is getting an individual's health history, which includes information about asbestos exposure. Doctors may also conduct a chest X-ray and an CT scan of the lung area. These tests can reveal changes in the lining of the lung that could cause abnormal thickening or calcium deposits. These tests can also be used to check for the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity, or the space between lungs and the chest wall.

A doctor can also take tissues from the lungs and examine it for mesothelioma. This is done through the procedure known as Thorcentesis. It can be performed by a doctor at the hospital, clinic or at home. The sample is then examined by a mesothelioma specialist.

Additionally, doctors frequently order blood tests to determine high levels of certain chemicals which could indicate mesothelioma. They might also look at the lining of the lungs, which can be accomplished by a procedure known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAT).

Asbestos sufferers should be aware that it is possible for mesothelioma to be found in different parts of the body other than the lungs. For instance, mesothelioma could affect the abdominal lining and the testicles, as well. Mesothelioma may also develop in the sac lining of the heart that is known as pericardial mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because it is not as prevalent as lung cancer and it is easily mistaken for less serious illnesses like the flu or pneumonia. The disease can develop rapidly and is difficult for doctors to treat.

Doctors can improve patients' prognoses by treating mesothelioma, which includes chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and immunotherapy. The prognosis for mesothelioma is not fixed in stone. Some patients have lived longer than expected.