Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the lungs, chest cavity and, in some cases, the tissues of the abdomen and the heart. The most common cause of mesothelioma lies in asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. The result is that cells transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects the tissues which line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to change and develop into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lung (pleura). However, it could also occur in the abdominal lining and the testicles, as well as the heart.
Chest discomfort, and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma. Additionally certain patients experience abdominal pain as well as fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. These symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses and can be difficult to identify, particularly in the early stages of mesothelioma. It may take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest.
A physical examination and a patient's health history are the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. A doctor might request blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans include CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).
X-rays may reveal a mass or fluid that is not normal in the lung. These scans can help the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. The two major types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. About 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is less common than epithelioid.
Most patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and difficulty breathing. People with pleural mesothelioma may suffer from an abnormal heart sound and a condition known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum.
The most effective method to identify mesothelioma is through the taking of a biopsy of the tissue. The type of mesothelioma also determines the method used by a doctor to treat the illness. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer, the doctor will remove excess fluid with the procedure called pleurodesis or insert an pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the linings of organs, known as the mesothelium. The majority of the time, the disease develops in the lungs (pleura), though it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
It takes between 10 to 50 years for the first signs of mesothelioma to appear. Because of this time period of latency it is possible for patients to be mistakenly diagnosed. This condition is often mistakenly referred to as other, less serious conditions like pneumonia or the flu. This misdiagnosis may cause delays in treatment that can reduce the chance of a patient's survival.
If sandy springs asbestos attorneys suspect that you might have mesothelioma should see their doctor immediately. During this first visit, doctors take a patient's full medical history to identify signs and any other factors that may make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes any previous exposure to asbestos and asbestos, as well as the nature and duration of exposure.
The doctor will then recommend imaging tests for the chest and abdomen to look 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 reveal if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
A doctor might also recommend an examination of the blood to determine whether a patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma. They may also carry out 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 then performed to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan may be used to carry out this procedure. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are the most effective for the patient. This can include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form can improve the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects the tissues that line and protect organs such as the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or the heart or testicles. Although mesothelioma cannot be cured, treatment can help control symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about your health background and will look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your asbestos exposure, as asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to get trapped in the linings of the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach, chest cavity or heart. As time passes, this causes inflammation, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be identified using blood tests and imaging tests.
Your healthcare provider will use an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue, and determine if you have an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). Your doctor will recommend an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET), to get high-quality images. They may also perform an incision using a needle to collect a sample of the affected tissue.
A pathologist, also known as a mesothelioma expert, will analyze the tissue using an magnifying glass to find cancerous cells and determine the kind. To establish the diagnosis the doctor will stain the tissue sample with a dye that shows up when certain types of proteins are present. Then, they will employ a special technique to get an even closer view of the tissue under microscope.
Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose as the mesothelioma cells look like other types of cell within the body. Your healthcare team will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. These include a blood test to determine levels of fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related, soluble peptide.
Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma, based on your cancer type and its stage. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is in an advanced stage you could also be offered palliative care to relieve discomfort and other signs.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as other factors like a patient's age and general health. Patients should consult with experienced doctors to learn more about the treatment options available to them.
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or ingested, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that turn normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma forms are mesothelioma 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 suggest taking a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of taking small amounts of tissue to be tested. The doctors can compare biopsy samples with databases to determine the most likely mesothelioma type. This information can help them predict the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan.
The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid, epithelial and epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma develops at a different pace and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.
It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma develop after exposure to asbestos, so many patients don't receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they show signs of. Asbestos sufferers should report their exposure to a doctor and have regular checkups.
During these visits, doctors can check for signs of exposure to asbestos, such as scarring around the lungs or other respiratory issues. They can also conduct a simple blood test to check the overall health of a patient. If the results show that a patient's risk for mesothelioma is very high, they can arrange for further tests to determine an estimate of the prognosis for mesothelioma. This could include imaging tests such as X radiations, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well lung function tests, a chest MRI, or PET scan.