Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs, and, in rare instances, the tissues surrounding the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. The result is that cells turn into cancerous mesothelioma cells.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect organs inside the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to change and develop into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases originate in the lung (pleura). However, it could also be found in the lining of the abdomen, heart and testicles.

The most common mesothelioma symptoms are breathlessness as well as chest pain and coughing. In addition patients may are suffering from abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to diagnose in the early stages, especially when mesothelioma is still a relatively young disease. It could take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos compensation for mesothelioma-related symptoms to appear.

The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam and a medical history. A doctor might require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans include CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).

X-rays can show an unusual swelling or fluid inside the lung. These scans aid the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. The two major mesothelioma types are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up around 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid.

Most people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough as well as chest wall pain, and trouble breathing. A person with pleural msothelioma can have an abnormal heart tone or a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.

The most accurate way to determine if mesothelioma has been diagnosed is to take a tissue sample, or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma will determine how a doctor will treat the illness. If a patient has pericardial cancer, the doctor will drain the excess fluid through the procedure known as pleurodesis, or insert the pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and enhance respiration. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

The cancerous mesothelioma is found in the linings of organs. The disease is most common in the lungs, but it can also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes.

The symptoms of mesothelioma could be seen between 10 and fifty years after the initial exposure. Because of this latency time, many patients could be misdiagnosed. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious illnesses such as pneumonia or the flu. This misdiagnosis can lead to delays in treatment, which may lower a patient's chances of survival.

Anyone who suspects mesothelioma should consult their physician as soon as they can. During the initial visit, doctors review a patient's medical history in order to identify any signs or symptoms that may increase their risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos claim and asbestos, as well as the type and duration of the 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 can all show changes in the lungs, like an increase in pleural thickness or accumulation of fluid. They can also show whether mesothelioma has spread other organs of the body.

A doctor may also order a test of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma. They can also carry out a procedure called a thoracentesis, which involves the removal of a sample from the lungs' fluid to check for cancerous cells.

If a mesothelioma is confirmed A biopsy is then performed to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cell. This can be accomplished using VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) or through an instrument that guides the needle through a CT scan. The results will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment for the patient. This can include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients might also opt to undergo immunotherapy. This latest mesothelioma treatment could improve the quality of life of a patient and improve their prognosis.

Treatment

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

Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and search for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your asbestos exposure, as asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to get trapped in the chest cavity's lining the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). This can cause inflammation over time, and can change normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed using blood tests and imaging tests.

Your healthcare provider uses a chest X ray to determine if you suffer from fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will order an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain high-quality images. They will also perform an incision using a needle to collect a sample from the affected tissue.

A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will examine the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope to detect cancerous cells and determine the kind of mesothelioma you have. To determine the type of mesothelioma the doctor will stain the sample with a dye that shows up when certain types of protein are present. They will then use a specific method to obtain an even closer view of the tissue under the microscope.

Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose as mesothelioma cells appear similar to other kinds of cell in the body. Your care team will try to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by performing other tests. These tests include a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3 or mesothelin related protein that is soluble.

Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma depending on your cancer type and stage. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the most popular treatments for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma is in an advanced stage you could also receive palliative care to relieve discomfort and other signs.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on the stage and type of cancer as well as factors like age and general health. Patients should work with knowledgeable doctors to find out more about their treatment options.

Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. These asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that turn normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most common mesothelioma types are the pleural (which is a tumor that develops on the lung linings, chest cavity, and abdomen) mesothelioma.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves the removal of a small piece of tissue to be tested. Doctors can then compare the biopsy samples against a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma-related cell type. This information can help them predict a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy and treatment plan.

Mesothelioma cells are classified in three categories: epithelioid, epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each mesothelioma type grows at different rates 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.

It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to be diagnosed following 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 have regular checkups.

During these visits, doctors look for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on the lung and other respiratory issues. They can also conduct an easy blood test to determine a patient's overall health. If the results show that a patient is at high risk for mesothelioma, they can schedule further tests to receive an estimate of the prognosis. This will include imaging exams such as X radiations, CT scans, and ultrasounds, along with lung function tests or chest MRI or PET scan.