Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs, and, in rare cases the linings of the heart and abdomen. Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This causes cells to transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.

Symptoms

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

The most common mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. Patients also feel abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms are similar to those of other diseases and are difficult to diagnose, especially in the beginning stages of mesothelioma. It may take years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to show up.

A physical exam and a medical history of the patient is the first steps in determining mesothelioma. To determine the severity of the symptoms, a doctor may order imaging tests and blood tests. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).

X-rays can reveal a strange lump or a fluid that is present in the lung. These scans help the doctor determine the nature and location of the mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two major types. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for around 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is less prevalent than epithelioid.

Most patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma have a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and trouble breathing. Patients with pleural mesothelioma can have 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 determine how a physician will treat the illness. For instance when a patient has mesothelioma of the pericardium the doctor could drain excess fluid with pleurodesis, a procedure that is known as pleurodesis, or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the organ's linings known as the mesothelium. The disease is most common in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes.

The signs of mesothelioma may be seen between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Because of this latency period many patients are incorrectly diagnosed. It is often mistaken for other, less serious illnesses, like the flu or pneumonia. This mistake could cause delays in treatment that can reduce the chance of a patient's survival.

Those who suspect that they might have mesothelioma must consult their physician immediately. In the initial visit, doctors will review the patient's entire medical history to identify signs and any other factors that might make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes any previous exposure to asbestos settlement and asbestos, and also the type and duration of exposure.

The next step is to have doctors request imaging tests to look at the abdomen and chest for signs of mesothelioma and other abnormalities. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs all provide detailed images of the interior of the body. They also show lung issues like pleural thickening or fluid buildup. They can also reveal whether mesothelioma has spread other parts of the body.

A doctor will also order an analysis of blood to determine whether the patient has high levels of certain substances that are associated with mesothelioma. They can also perform the procedure known as a thoracentesis. It involves the removal of a sample from the fluid surrounding the lungs to look for cancer cells.

If mesothelioma is found to be the cause A biopsy is then performed to test a small amount of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be done using VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or by using an instrument that guides the needle through an CT scan. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are best for the patient. This may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Certain patients may choose to participate in immunotherapy. This newer form of mesothelioma treatment can boost the quality of life for patients and improve their outlook.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart or testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). While mesothelioma can't be treated but treatment can help manage symptoms.

Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and search for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your asbestos exposure, as asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the tissues of the chest cavity and tummy, or the heart (mesothelium). As time passes, this causes inflammation and transforms normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed using imaging tests and blood tests.

Your doctor will make use of a chest X-ray to see changes in your lung tissue, and determine whether you have fluid build-up (pleural effusion). Your provider will order MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain detailed images of the affected area. 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 a magnifying glass to identify cancerous cells and determine the type. To establish the diagnosis the pathologist will stain the sample with a dye that shows up when certain kinds of proteins are present. The doctor will then use techniques to magnify the tissue.

Mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize because the mesothelioma cells look like other types of cells found within the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis by performing other tests. These tests involve an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3 or soluble mesothelin related peptide.

Your healthcare provider will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma, based on the type of cancer and its stage. The most common mesothelioma treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also receive palliative care to relieve discomfort and other symptoms.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as other factors like the patient's age as well as general health. Patients should work with experienced doctors to learn more about their treatment options.

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. These asbestos fibers can be breathed in or ingested and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma variants are pleural mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity (pleura), as well as peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer type that is found in the protective lining of the abdomen.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves the removal of tiny pieces of tissue to be tested. Doctors then compare the biopsy samples to a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma cells type. This information can be used to predict the life expectancy of a patient with mesothelioma and their treatment plan.

Mesothelioma cells are classified in three categories: epithelioid or epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma grows at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.

It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos compensation, so many patients don't receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they show signs of. asbestos case victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and undergo periodic checkups.

During these visits, doctors examine for signs of asbestos exposure such as scarring on the lung and other respiratory issues. They can also perform an easy blood test to assess a patient's overall health. If the results show that an individual is at a the highest risk of developing mesothelioma they can schedule additional tests to get an estimate of the prognosis. This could include imaging tests like X rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well lung function tests or chest MRI or PET scan.