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Mesothelioma Treatment - What to Expect
Patients with stage 4 pleural mesothelioma are typically treated to alleviate symptoms such as breathlessness and pain. Doctors may use a procedure called pleural drainage.
A pleural drain involves injecting a sterile solution to reduce inflammation and close the area in which fluid accumulates. They may also administer chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Diagnosis
A mesothelioma diagnosis is based on several steps, including an examination of the body and tests performed by a laboratory. Imaging scans can be utilized by doctors to determine the extent of the tumor's spread within the abdomen and chest.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are comparable to the symptoms of other common illnesses, such as pneumonia and bronchitis. This may delay the diagnosis of mesothelioma and cause treatment plans to go off the rails.
A doctor will conduct a physical examination to check for any abnormalities in the skin that could indicate mesothelioma. The patient will then undergo a series of imaging tests, such as an CT scan and an MRI to get a clearer picture of the area in the question.
These tests aid doctors in determining if there is fluid buildup, a common symptom of pleural mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. They can also tell whether mesothelioma has spread to other parts of the body, for instance the chest wall, diaphragm or the heart.
When mesothelioma is affecting the lungs, it can make breathing difficult because of the buildup of fluid in the lung space and chest wall, or to the tissue around the diaphragm or the pericardium. In these situations, a doctor can drain the fluid to improve breathing. If mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage, doctors may drain the fluid using video-assisted surgical (VATS).
Mesothelioma blood tests can also identify cancer cells that are likely to be mesothelioma. These tests, however, cannot confirm the type of mesothelioma. Doctors can also conduct a biopsy to determine mesothelioma. This involves removing a tiny part of the area and examining it under a microscope.
A mesothelioma specialist will then determine a mesothelioma stage system number based on how the mesothelioma impacts different parts of the body and the extent to which it has spread from the place it originally began to form. Stage four is the stage for a mesothelioma which has spread to lungs. Mesothelioma that has spread throughout the body is stage five.
Treatment
The type of mesothelioma you are diagnosed with, the area where the cancer is located, and the stage that it's diagnosed at will influence your treatment plan. It is possible that you will require chemotherapy, surgery, or combination of both to improve your quality of life and extend your survival. You may also be treated to control symptoms such as fluid accumulation in the lung or pain in your chest or abdomen.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy, a type of specialized surgery is often the first option recommended by doctors. During this procedure surgeons remove large portions of the lung, its lining and the surrounding lymph nodes as well as the lining around diaphragm. They may need to remove the pericardium, which is the lining around the heart. Doctors repair the diaphragm and pericardium with man-made materials. This is usually done in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.
For pleural mesothelioma chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells and reduce the size of tumors. Doctors can administer chemotherapy directly into the pleural cavity through an incision made on the chest or abdomen, by using a tube with a camera. Or they can use systemic therapy where chemotherapy is injected through the bloodstream.
Immunotherapy can help boost the body's natural immune cells, which fight cancer. Doctors can administer several different types of immunotherapy. They are all designed to help fight mesothelioma and increase overall survival.
Mesothelioma cancer is extremely rare. The majority of medical professionals have no experience in treating mesothelioma. Most likely, your doctor will refer you to specialists with years of experience in treating the disease. These experts include pulmonologists, who specialize in lung disease, and gastroenterologists, who specialize in abdominal issues.
Since mesothelioma can be diagnosed in advanced stages treatment is focused on reducing symptoms and extending survival. The most common mesothelioma treatments are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. These are usually utilized in conjunction and may be supplemented with new methods like immunotherapy and tumor-treating fields.
Symptoms
The majority of patients are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma when an individual experiences symptoms like coughing, chest pain and breath shortness. The symptoms may vary based on the kind and location of the mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can develop in any area of your chest or abdomen. It may also develop around the heart.
A doctor may request a biopsy when an imaging test reveals a possible tumor or mass that is located in the abdomen or chest. The doctor may perform the biopsy via surgery or by inserting a needle in the affected area and then removing the fluid or tissue to be examined under the microscope. Doctors can also order tests in the lab to determine if there is mesothelioma. These labs can include blood tests, as well as scans with x-rays or CT scans.
Treatment options vary based on the type of cell and the rate at which it expands and the region of the body where the cancer began. For example mesothelioma pleural is treated through surgical removal of the affected lung lining and a procedure known as pleurectomy and decortication (P/D). Mesothelioma can also treat by a drug or chemical that causes the tumor to scar and stick to the lung. This is called pleurodesis, and it can control symptoms but not cure mesothelioma.
Other mesothelioma treatment options are chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and procedures like the pleurectomy (removal of the lining around the heart's chest wall) or a pericardiectomy. Doctors may recommend a combination of these treatments to extend life expectancy and improve the quality of life for patients.
Patients should consult an expert in mesothelioma for evaluation and treatment. Those exposed to asbestos should speak with their medical doctors about mesothelioma, and whether they are at risk of developing the disease.
The VA offers benefits to people with mesothelioma, including medical bills and other expenses. While serving in the U.S. Military, many veterans were exposed asbestos on aircrafts, ships and barracks. Asbestos was once used in fireproofing, insulation, and sound-dampening products, among other applications. Mesothelioma is more frequent among those exposed to asbestos at work. The disease typically takes 20 to 40 years after exposure for symptoms to begin.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma is often difficult to identify because symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Mesothelioma can develop 10-50 years after asbestos exposure. what are the symptoms for mesothelioma is why you should see a doctor immediately if you suspect that you have the disease.
If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they will order imaging tests, such as chest X-rays or CT scans, to search for a tumor or a mass. They may also order a biopsy which involves removing small amounts of tissue to allow for examination under microscope.
A biopsy can be used to determine whether the cancer cells are benign or malignant and what type of mesothelioma they're most likely to develop. There are currently three types of mesothelioma, including epithelioid biphasic sarcomatoid. Each type has its own prognosis. The epithelioid type of mesothelioma is the most prevalent. It grows slower and spread less than other types. Asbestos patients diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma generally have a better prognosis than those who are diagnosed with sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma. These types of mesothelioma likely to grow and be harder to treat.
In addition to the mesothelioma type other factors influence the prognosis for patients, including the stage at which cancer is diagnosed. The 5-year survival rate for mesothelioma malignant is approximately 40 percent in cases where the cancer is found at an early stage, and close to 30 percent when it is detected at a later point. Other factors include age and patient's general health.
Mesothelioma treatment can dramatically improve the prognosis of a patient. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy are a few of the most common treatments. Mesothelioma specialists can put together an mesothelioma treatment program that includes all of these options to maximize the likelihood of a positive outcome.
Even if the cancer has reached an advanced stage, a mesothelioma specialist can often find ways to minimize symptoms and increase the patient's overall comfort. Some relief is possible by using strong painkillers and regular drainage of fluids to aid in breathing. Patients should discuss their symptoms with their physician and explore the treatment options available.