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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissue lining the lungs and chest cavity and, in rare instances the lining of the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the principal cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can get stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. The result is that cells turn into cancerous mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect the organs inside the body. Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause these cancerous cells to grow into mesothelioma tumours. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lung. It can also be found in the linings of the heart, abdomen and testicles.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma. In addition patients may are suffering from abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning stages particularly when mesothelioma still a relatively new disease. It could take years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to appear.
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is a physical examination and a health history. To determine the severity of the symptoms the doctor can order imaging tests and blood tests. These scans may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).
X-rays could reveal a lump or fluid that isn't normal in the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine the type and location of the mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two main types. Around 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is less prevalent than epithelioid.
Most patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough as well as chest wall pain and difficulty breathing. In rare cases, a person suffering from pleural mesothelioma might have an abnormal heart murmur, an issue called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The most effective method to identify mesothelioma is through the taking of a biopsy of the tissue. The type of mesothelioma determines the method used by a doctor to treat the illness. If a patient has pericardial cancer doctors will remove excess fluid with the procedure called pleurodesis, or insert the pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and enhance breathing. Other options include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The mesothelioma-related cancer forms on the linings of organs. The majority of the time, the disease develops in the lungs (pleura) however it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
The symptoms of mesothelioma could be seen between 10 and fifty years after the initial exposure. Due to this latency period many patients are mistakenly diagnosed. It is often misinterpreted as other, less serious illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis may result in a delay in treatment, which could reduce the chances of survival for a patient.
Those who suspect that they might have mesothelioma should visit their doctor right away. During santa rosa asbestos lawyer , doctors will examine a patient's complete medical history to look for signs and other factors that may make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes past asbestos exposure, as well the kind and duration.
The doctor will then order imaging tests in the chest and abdomen to check for 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 if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
A doctor might also recommend an examination of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation called a thoracentesis which involves taking out the lungs of fluid and examining for cancerous cells.
If mesothelioma is found to be the cause A biopsy is then performed to check a small sample of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan can be used to perform this procedure. The results of this test will help determine the best mesothelioma treatment plan for the patient. This could include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Some patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form of mesothelioma treatment can boost the quality of life of a patient and improve their chances of survival.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, like the lung (pleural mesothelioma), the 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 history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about asbestos exposure since it is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach or the heart. As time passes this causes inflammation, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be identified using imaging tests and blood tests.
Your doctor uses a chest X ray to determine if there is fluid accumulation (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 incisional needle biopsy to collect an image of the affected tissue.
A pathologist, a mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue under a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cell and determine the kind. To establish the diagnosis the pathologist will stain the sample with a dye that lights up when certain types of proteins are present. They will then employ a specific method to obtain an even closer view of the tissue under the microscope.
It is sometimes difficult to determine if you have mesothelioma as the cells that cause it appear similar to those of 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 measure levels of fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related peptide that is soluble.
Your medical team will decide on a mesothelioma treatment plan depending on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most popular treatment options for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma is at an an advanced stage you could also receive palliative care to relieve discomfort and other signs.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma varies on the type and stage of cancer, and other factors, such as a patient's age and general health. Patients should consult with doctors who are knowledgeable about their treatment options.
Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. These asbestos fibers can be breathed in or ingested, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma types are mesothelioma pleural (which is a tumor that develops on the lung linings, chest cavity, and abdomen) mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays. They may also suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal the tissue to be tested. The doctors can compare the biopsy samples to an online database to determine the most likely mesothelioma type. This information can be used to predict the longevity of a patient suffering from mesothelioma as well as their treatment plan.
The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid, epithelial and epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells, and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma forms at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid cancer makes up 60 to 80 percent of all cases and has a better survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Many patients aren't diagnosed of mesothelioma until they show severe symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a doctor and be checked regularly.
During these visits, doctors can check for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring on lungs and other respiratory problems. They may also conduct an easy blood test to determine the overall health of a patient. If the results show that the patient is at a an increased risk of mesothelioma, they can schedule additional tests to determine if they are likely to develop an outlook. This includes imaging tests such as X radiographs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well a lung function test or chest MRI, or PET scan.