Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues lining the lungs and chest cavity and, in rare instances the abdominal lining and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. Cells turn into mesothelioma cancerous cells.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect organs inside the body. Exposure to asbestos lawsuit fibers could cause the cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors. The majority of cases of mesothelioma occur in the lungs (pleura). It can also develop in the linings of the abdomen, the heart and testicles.

The most frequent mesothelioma-related symptoms include shortness of breath coughing, chest pain and chest pain. Patients also suffer from abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms are similar to those of other ailments and are difficult to recognize, especially in the beginning stages of mesothelioma. It could take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to appear.

The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is an examination and a medical history. A doctor may request blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).

X-rays may reveal a mass or fluid that is not normal in the lung. These scans can help the doctor determine the nature and location of the mesothelioma. The two major types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. Around 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is less common than epithelioid.

People with pleural cancer typically suffer from a painful, nonproductive cough and breathing difficulties. In rare cases, people with pleural mesothelioma could have an abnormal heart murmur, a condition called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).

The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma determine how a doctor will treat the illness. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer the doctor will remove excess fluid with a procedure known as pleurodesis, or insert a pleural catheter in order to reduce inflammation and improve respiration. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is found in the organ's linings, known as the mesothelium. The majority of the time, the disease develops in the lung (pleura) however it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).

It can take between 10 to 50 years for the first signs of mesothelioma to manifest. Because of this latency period, many patients may be misdiagnosed. It is often mistaken for other less serious illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This can cause delays in treatment, which could reduce the chance of a patient's survival.

Those who suspect that they might have mesothelioma should consult their physician immediately. In the initial visit, doctors review the patient's entire medical history to determine symptoms and any factors that might make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos and asbestos, as well as the nature and duration of exposure.

Next, doctors will request imaging tests to look at the chest and abdomen for signs of mesothelioma and other abnormalities. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs all provide precise images of the inside of the body. They can show lung changes, such as pleural thickening or fluid buildup. They can also tell whether mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

A doctor may also recommend an examination of the blood to determine whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They may also carry out an operation called a thoracentesis which involves removing fluid from the lungs and examining the lungs for cancerous cells.

If mesothelioma is found to be the cause the biopsy procedure is carried out to test a small amount of the tumor for cancerous cell. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan may be used to carry out this procedure. The results of this will help determine the best mesothelioma treatment plan for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients might also opt to take part in immunotherapy. This newer type of treatment can enhance the prognosis of a patient and increase their quality of life.

Treatment

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

Your doctor will inquire about your health history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your asbestos exposure, since asbestos 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 the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). This can cause inflammation over time and may transform normal cells into cancerous cells. Mesothelioma can be identified using blood tests and imaging 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 get detailed images of the affected region. They may also perform an incision using a needle to collect a sample from the affected tissue.

A pathologist, a mesothelioma specialist, will look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cell and determine the type. To make the diagnosis, the doctor will stain the sample with a dye that shows up when certain types of protein are present. The doctor will then use a technique to magnify the tissue.

Mesothelioma may be difficult to diagnose as the mesothelioma cells look like other types of cell within the body. Your healthcare team will try to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma 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 choose mesothelioma treatments based on the kind of cancer you have and the degree to which it is advanced. The most common mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also receive palliative care to ease pain and other symptoms.

Prognosis

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

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos, visit the next page, fibers harm the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be inhaled or consumed, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma types are the pleural (which forms on the linings of the lungs as well as the chest cavity and abdomen) mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking tiny amounts of tissue to test. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples to a database in order to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can be used to determine the life expectancy of a patient suffering from mesothelioma as well as their treatment plan.

Mesothelioma cells are classified in three categories: epithelioid, epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each mesothelioma type grows at an individual rate and responds to treatment in a different way. Epithelioid cancer accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a better survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid.

It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos, so many patients do not get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and have regular checkups.

During these visits, doctors look for signs of asbestos compensation exposure like scarring on lung and other respiratory issues. They can also conduct a simple blood test to check the overall health of a patient. If the results indicate that a patient is at high risk for mesothelioma, they can schedule further tests to get a prognosis. This includes imaging tests like X rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well a lung function test or chest MRI, or PET scan.