Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity and, in some cases the lining of the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can get stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. Cells turn into mesothelioma-like cancerous cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects the tissues which line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors. Most cases of mesothelioma are located in the lung. However, it can be found in the abdominal lining, heart and testicles.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort and coughing are among the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Patients may also suffer from abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively young disease. It may take years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to show up.
A physical exam and a patient's health history are the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. To determine the severity of symptoms the doctor can order blood tests and imaging scans. These scans include CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).
X-rays may reveal an unusual mass or fluid in the lungs. These scans may help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is and the type of mesothelioma. The two major types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. About 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, on the other hand, is and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.
Most people diagnosed with pleural melanoma have a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and difficulty breathing. People with pleural mesothelioma can suffer from an abnormal heart sound and a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.
The most precise method to determine if mesothelioma has been diagnosed is to take a tissue sample, or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will also dictate how a doctor manages the disease. If a patient has pericardial cancer doctors will drain excess fluid using the procedure called pleurodesis, or insert an pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve respiration. Other options include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The mesothelioma cancerous form develops on the linings of organs. The disease is most common in the lungs, however it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes.
It takes between 10 to 50 years for the first signs of mesothelioma to manifest. Due to this latency period many patients can be mistakenly diagnosed. This illness is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis may cause delays in treatment, which could reduce the chances of survival for a patient.
If you suspect that you might have mesothelioma must visit their doctor right away. During this initial visit, doctors will take a patient's full medical history to look for symptoms and any factors that might make them more susceptible to mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos and asbestos, as well as the nature and duration of exposure.
The doctor will then request imaging tests of the abdomen and chest to determine if there are signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs are all able to reveal changes in the lungs, like an increase in pleural thickness or accumulation of fluid. They can also tell whether mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
A doctor can also request an examination of the blood to determine whether a patient has high levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma. They may also carry out an operation known as a thoracentesis which involves taking out the lungs of fluid and examining for cancerous cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed the biopsy procedure will be taken to look at small portions of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be done using VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or with a needle guided by a CT scan. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are most suitable for the patient. This could include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Certain patients may choose to participate in immunotherapy. This newer form can improve the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects the tissues which line and protect organs, such as the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or heart, or testicles. While mesothelioma can't be treated but treatment can help manage symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure because it is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the tissues of the chest cavity the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). In time this causes inflammation, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma is diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests.
Your doctor uses chest X-rays to determine if there is an accumulation of fluid (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 needle biopsy to collect an in-situ sample of the affected tissue.
A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will study the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine the type of mesothelioma you have. To establish the diagnosis the pathologist will stain the sample with a dye that shows up when certain kinds of proteins are present. They will then employ a special technique to get an even closer view of the tissue under the microscope.
It is sometimes difficult to identify mesothelioma since the cells that cause it are similar to other types of cells within the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. This includes a blood test to determine levels of fibulin-3 as well as soluble mesothelin-related peptide.
Your care team will determine mesothelioma treatments based on the kind of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most common treatments for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma is at an an advanced stage, you may also receive palliative care to ease pain and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on the type and stage cancer as well as factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with doctors who are experienced to learn about their treatment options.
Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that line vital organs and safeguard them. The asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that turn normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma forms are mesothelioma pleural (which is a tumor that develops on the linings of the lungs or chest cavity) and abdomen) mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays. They may also suggest a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of taking tiny amounts of tissue to test. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples against an online database to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information will help them predict a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy and treatment plan.
Mesothelioma cells are classified in three categories: epithelioid or epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. sterling heights asbestos lawyer develops at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid cancer accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a higher survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid.
Mesothelioma may develop for up to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Many patients don't receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they show severe symptoms. Exposure to asbestos should be disclosed to a doctor, and victims must undergo regular checks.
In these visits, doctors will look for signs of exposure to asbestos like lung scarring or other respiratory issues. They may also conduct a simple blood test to assess a patient's overall health. If the results indicate that a patient is at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma they can schedule further tests to get an outlook. This could include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound, as well as lung function tests, and a chest MRI or PET scan.