Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs, and, in rare cases the linings of the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the primary reason for mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can become stuck in tissues which can cause DNA damage. Cells turn into cancerous mesothelioma cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect organs inside the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are located in the lung. It can also be found in the linings of the abdomen, the heart and testicles.
grand prairie asbestos attorney and coughing are among the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Additionally patients may experience abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning, especially when mesothelioma is still a relatively young disease. It could take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to show up.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is an examination and a health history. To determine the severity of symptoms, a doctor may order tests for blood and imaging scans. These scans may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).
X-rays can show an unusual mass or fluid in the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. The two major types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for around 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a lesser-known type and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.
Most people with pleural cancer suffer from a painful, non-productive cough and breathing problems. In some instances, a patient with pleural mesothelioma could have an abnormal heart murmur, which is called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample, or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will determine how a doctor will treat the illness. For example, if a person has mesothelioma of the pericardium, the doctor may eliminate excess fluid through a procedure called pleurodesis or install an indwelling pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The cancerous mesothelioma forms on the linings of the organs. The majority of the time, the disease develops in the lungs (pleura) but it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
It takes between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to manifest. Because of this latency time, many patients could be mistakenly diagnosed. The condition is often mistakenly referred to as other, less serious illnesses like pneumonia or the flu. This misdiagnosis can result in delays in treatment, which can reduce the chances of survival.
If you suspect mesothelioma, see their doctor immediately. In the initial visit, doctors will take a patient's full medical history to look for symptoms and any factors that could make them more susceptible to mesothelioma. This includes past asbestos exposure as well as the kind and duration.
The next step is to have doctors request imaging tests to look at the chest and abdomen for any signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X rays, CT scans and MRIs are all able to reveal changes in the lungs, such as the thickness of the pleural wall or the accumulation of fluid. They can also reveal whether mesothelioma has spread other parts of the body.
A doctor can also request a test of the blood to determine whether a patient has elevated levels in certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation called a thoracentesis which involves removing fluid from the lungs and examining the lungs for cancerous cells.
If a mesothelioma is confirmed, a biopsy is performed to test a small amount of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be done via VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) or by using an instrument that guides the needle through the aid of a CT scan. The results will help determine which mesothelioma treatments are most suitable for the patient. This may include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Certain patients may choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form can improve a patient's prognosis and boost their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, including the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart or testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). While mesothelioma can't be treated, treatment can help control symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about your health background and will look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your exposure to asbestos, because it is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the lining of the chest cavity and tummy, or the heart (mesothelium). This can cause inflammation over time, and can change normal cells into cancerous cells. Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to detect mesothelioma.
Your healthcare provider uses a chest X ray to determine if there is fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Your doctor will recommend an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain detailed images. They will also perform an incision using a needle to obtain a sample from the affected tissue.
A pathologist, a mesothelioma expert, will analyze the tissue with 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. Then, they will employ an advanced method to get an in-depth look at the tissue under microscope.
Mesothelioma is often difficult to identify because mesothelioma cells appear like other types of cells in the body. Your care team will try to confirm the diagnosis with other tests. These tests include a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3 or mesothelin related protein that is soluble.
Your medical team will determine mesothelioma treatments based on the kind of cancer you have and the degree to which it is advanced. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most popular treatment options for mesothelioma. A palliative treatment option is available if your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage. This can relieve you of pain and other signs.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is based on the type and stage of cancer as well as other factors like age and general health. Patients should consult skilled doctors to know more about the treatment options available to them.
Asbestos fibers can cause damage to tissues that line vital organs and protect them. These asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation that can transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma forms are the pleural (which is a tumor that develops on the linings of the lungs, 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 is when you take small amounts of tissue for testing. Doctors can then compare biopsy samples to a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma cell type. This information can be used to estimate the life expectancy of a patient with mesothelioma, as well as their treatment plan.
Mesothelioma cells are classified in three categories: epithelioid or epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma type grows at different rates and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed up to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Many patients don't get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos exposure must be reported to a doctor and the victims must undergo regular checks.
During these visits, doctors can check for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring on lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They may 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 arrange for additional tests to receive an estimate of the prognosis. This includes imaging tests like X radiographs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, along with lung function tests, a chest MRI, or PET scan.