Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity, lungs and, in rare cases the tissues of the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the principal reason for mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers are entangled in tissues and cause DNA damage. Cells turn into mesothelioma-like cancerous cells.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect the organs inside the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cells to change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. Most cases of mesothelioma are located in the lungs. However, it can also be found in the abdominal lining and the testicles, as well as the heart.

The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. Additionally patients may are suffering from abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms are similar to those of other ailments and are difficult to recognize, especially in the early stages of mesothelioma. It could take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos case for mesothelioma-related symptoms to show up.

The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam and a health history. A doctor might ask for blood tests or imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans may 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 can help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is located and the type of mesothelioma. The two most common mesothelioma types are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. Around 70% of mesothelioma is epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid.

Most people with pleural cancer have a nonproductive, painful cough and breathing problems. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may suffer from an abnormal heart sound, a condition called pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum.

The most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma is to take a tissue sample, or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma also determines the method used by a doctor to treat the disease. If a patient has pericardial cancer doctors will drain excess fluid using a procedure known as pleurodesis, or insert a pleural catheter in order to reduce inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include surgery and chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the organ's linings, known as the mesothelium. The majority of cases occur in the lungs (pleura), though it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).

It can take between 10 and 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma or mesothelioma onset. Because of this latency period it is possible for patients to be mistakenly diagnosed. This illness is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that are less serious, such as the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis could result in delays in treatment, which could reduce the chances of survival.

Anyone who suspects that they might have mesothelioma must visit their doctor right away. At the first visit, doctors review the medical history of the patient to identify any symptoms or factors that could increase the risk of mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos and asbestos, as well as the nature and duration of exposure.

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

A doctor may also request an analysis of blood to determine whether the patient has high levels of certain chemicals that are related to mesothelioma. They can also carry out the procedure known as the thoracentesis. This involves the removal of a sample from the fluid surrounding the lungs to look for cancer cells.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed then a biopsy is taken to look at an insignificant portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle guided CT scan can be used to carry out this procedure. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are most suitable for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form can improve the prognosis of a patient and increase their quality of life.

Treatment

Mesothelioma affects tissues that line and protect organs, including the lung (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). While mesothelioma can't be treated however, treatment can reduce symptoms.

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and search for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your asbestos exposure, since asbestos legal is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos case fibers to get trapped in the lining of the chest cavity, tummy or heart (mesothelium). In time, this causes inflammation and changes normal cells into cancerous ones. Imaging tests and blood tests are used to identify mesothelioma.

Your doctor uses an X-ray of the chest to determine if you have fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will request an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET), to get high-quality 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 using an magnifying glass to find cancerous cell and determine the type. To establish the diagnosis, the pathologist will stain the sample with a dye that lights up when certain kinds of protein are present. They will then use an advanced method to get an in-depth look at the tissue under the microscope.

Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because mesothelioma-related cells appear like other types of cells found within the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma using other tests. This includes a blood test to determine the levels of fibulin-3 as well as soluble mesothelin-related peptide.

Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma, based on your cancer type and stage. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the most popular treatment options for mesothelioma. The option of palliative therapy is available if your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage. This can relieve the discomfort and other symptoms.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and the stage of cancer, in addition to other factors, such as the patient's age and general health. Patients should consult experienced doctors to learn more about the treatment options available to them.

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers harm the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or consumed, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that turn normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma types are mesothelioma pleural (which is a tumor that develops on the linings of the lungs as well as the chest cavity and abdomen) mesothelioma.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend that a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue to be examined. Doctors can then compare biopsy samples to databases to determine the most likely mesothelioma cell type. This information can be used to predict the life expectancy of a person with mesothelioma and their treatment plan.

Mesothelioma cells can be classified into three categories: epithelioid, epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each mesothelioma grows at a different pace and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up 60 percent to 80% cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.

It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma develop after exposure to asbestos, so many patients don't be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and undergo periodic checkups.

During these visits, doctors can check for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on the lungs and other respiratory problems. They can also conduct an easy blood test to assess the health of the patient. If the results show that a patient's risk for mesothelioma is high they can schedule further tests to receive a mesothelioma prognosis. This could include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as a lung function test and a chest MRI or PET scan.