Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity, lungs and, in some cases, the tissues surrounding the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos compensation is the principal cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This causes cells to transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cells to undergo a change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. The majority of cases of mesothelioma occur in the lungs (pleura). However, it can be found in the abdominal lining as well as the testicles, heart and lungs.

The most common mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath as well as chest pain and coughing. In addition patients may suffer from abdominal pain as well as fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. These symptoms are akin to other ailments and are difficult to diagnose, especially in the beginning stages of mesothelioma. It may take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest.

A physical exam and a patient's health history are the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. A doctor may ask for blood tests or imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).

X-rays can show an unusual swelling or fluid inside the lungs. These scans aid the doctor determine the type and location of the mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid and mesothelioid are the two most prevalent kinds. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for around 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is less common than epithelioid.

People with pleural cancer typically suffer from a painful, non-productive cough and breathing problems. In certain cases, a person suffering from pleural mesothelioma might have an abnormal heart murmur a condition called pericardial effusion, or a swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).

The best way to accurately identify mesothelioma is to take a biopsy of tissue. The type of mesothelioma also determines how a doctor will treat the condition. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer, the doctor will drain excess fluid using the procedure called pleurodesis or insert an pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and enhance respiration. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

The mesothelioma-related cancer develops on the linings of organs. The disease is most common in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes.

It takes between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Due to this time of latency, many patients could be misdiagnosed. It is often mistaken for other, less serious illnesses, like the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis may result in a delay in treatment, which could reduce the chances of survival for a patient.

If you suspect that you might have mesothelioma should consult their physician immediately. During the initial visit, doctors will review the patient's entire medical history to look for signs and any other factors that could make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos and asbestos, and also the type and duration of the exposure.

The next step is for doctors to conduct imaging tests to examine 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, like pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also reveal if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

A doctor may also recommend a blood test to see if the patient has high levels of certain chemicals that are related 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 then a biopsy is performed to examine small portions of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be accomplished using VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or with a needle guided by the aid of a CT scan. The results of this test will help determine the best mesothelioma treatment for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients may also choose to participate in immunotherapy. This newer form of mesothelioma treatment may improve the quality of life of a patient and improve their prognosis.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lung (pleural mesothelioma) and stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is impossible to cure mesothelioma, but treatment can help manage symptoms.

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

Your doctor uses chest X-rays to determine if you suffer from fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Your doctor will recommend an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain precise images. They may also perform a needle biopsy in order to collect a sample from the affected tissue.

A pathologist, or mesothelioma expert, will analyze the tissue with a magnifying glass to identify cancerous cells and determine the kind. The doctor will use dyes to stain tissue samples to identify the cancer. This dye is visible when certain types are present. They will then employ a specific method to obtain a closer look at the tissue under microscope.

Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose as mesothelioma cells appear similar to other kinds of cells found within the body. Your care team will try to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis with other tests. These tests involve an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related protein that is soluble.

Your healthcare team will determine the best treatment option for mesothelioma based on the type of cancer you have and its stage. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most popular treatment options for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stages you could also receive palliative care to ease discomfort and other symptoms.

Prognosis

The outlook for mesothelioma is based on the type and stage of cancer, in addition to other factors such as the patient's age as well as general health. Patients should consult with a doctor who are experienced to learn about the treatment options available to them.

Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos (find more) fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or ingested and, over time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that convert normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most prevalent forms of mesothelioma are the pleural (which forms on the lung linings, chest cavity, and abdomen) mesothelioma.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also suggest a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal the tissue to be examined. Doctors then compare the biopsy samples to a database to determine the most likely mesothelioma-related cell type. This information can help them determine the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan.

The mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma kind develops at different rates and responds to treatment in a different way. Epithelioid cancer accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases and has a higher survival rate than biphasic or sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma develop after exposure to asbestos. Therefore, many patients do not receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a doctor and undergo periodic checkups.

During these visits, doctors will look for signs of asbestos exposure such as scarring on the lungs and other respiratory problems. They can also perform an easy blood test to determine the health of the patient. If the results indicate that a patient's risk of developing mesothelioma is very high, they can schedule additional tests to get a mesothelioma prognosis. This could include imaging tests like X radiations, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well lung function tests or chest MRI, or PET scan.