Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs and, in rare cases the linings of the heart and abdomen. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers are entangled in tissues and cause DNA damage. Cells turn into mesothelioma-like cancerous 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 develop into mesothelioma tumours. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lungs (pleura). It can also occur in the linings of the abdomen, heart and testicles.
The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are breathlessness coughing, chest pain and chest pain. In addition patients may experience abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms are similar to those of other diseases and are difficult to diagnose, especially in the beginning stages of mesothelioma. The symptoms of mesothelioma could not appear for years or even decades following asbestos exposure.
A physical exam and a health history of the patient are the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. To determine the severity of symptoms, a doctor may order tests for blood and imaging scans. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (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 nature and location of the mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid and epithelioid mesothelioma the two major types. About 70% of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is less common than epithelioid.
The majority of patients with pleural cancer have a nonproductive, painful cough and breathing problems. People with pleural mesothelioma can suffer from an abnormal heart sound, a condition called pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum.
The best way to accurately diagnose mesothelioma involves an examination of the tissues. The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will also determine how a physician treats the illness. For instance, if a person has mesothelioma of the pericardium doctors may remove excess fluid using a procedure called pleurodesis or insert a pleural catheter in the body to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include chemotherapy and surgery.
Diagnosis
The cancerous mesothelioma forms on the organ's linings. The disease most commonly occurs in the lung (pleura) but it may also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
The symptoms of mesothelioma can be seen between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Because of this latency time, many patients could be incorrectly diagnosed. This condition is often mistakenly referred to as other, less serious illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis can result in delays in treatment, which could reduce the chances of survival.
Those who suspect mesothelioma should visit their doctor immediately. During this initial visit, doctors review the patient's entire medical history to look for symptoms and any factors that might make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos or other asbestos-containing substances, and also the type and duration of the exposure.
The next step is for doctors to request imaging tests to look at the abdomen and chest for signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs all offer detailed images of the inside of the body. They can show lung changes, such as pleural thickening or fluid buildup. They can also show whether mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
A doctor can also request 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 mesothelioma is found to be the cause, a biopsy is performed to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan can be used to carry out this procedure. The results will help determine the best mesothelioma treatment plan for the patient. This can include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form can improve a patient's prognosis and boost their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is a threat to the tissues that line and protect organs such as the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or heart or testicles. It is impossible to cure mesothelioma but treatment may help control symptoms.
deltona asbestos attorneys will inquire about your medical history and check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure because it is the most significant mesothelioma risk factor. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to become trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach, chest cavity or heart. This can cause inflammation over time and can change normal cells into cancerous cells. Mesothelioma can be identified using imaging tests and blood tests.
Your healthcare provider will employ a chest X-ray to see changes in your lung tissue, and determine whether you have an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will request an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions (PET), to get detailed images. They will also perform the procedure of a needle biopsy to collect a sample from the affected tissue.
A pathologist, or mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cells and determine their type. The pathologist will employ dyes to stain tissue samples in order to diagnose the cancer. The dye is visible when certain types of mesothelioma are present. The doctor will then use techniques to magnify the tissue.
Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because mesothelioma cells appear like other types of cells within the body. Your healthcare team will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by other tests. These tests include the collection of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related protein that is soluble.
Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment plan for mesothelioma depending on the type of cancer and its stage. The most popular mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stages you could also be offered palliative care to ease pain and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is determined by the type and stage cancer as well as other factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with skilled doctors to know more about the treatment options available to them.
Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that line vital organs and protect them from harm. These asbestos fibers can be breathed in or consumed and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that convert normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma types are mesothelioma pleural (which forms on the linings of the lungs or chest cavity) and abdomen) mesothelioma.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend an examination to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking tiny amounts of tissue to test. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples to a database in order to determine the most likely mesothelioma type. This information can help them predict a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy and treatment plan.
Mesothelioma cells are classified in three categories: epithelioid or epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma forms at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid cancer accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases and has a better survival rate than biphasic or sarcomatoid mesothelioma.
It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos. Therefore, many patients don't be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos exposure should be disclosed to a doctor and the victims must undergo regular checks.
In these visits, doctors will examine for signs of asbestos-related exposure, such as scarring around the lungs or other respiratory problems. They can also conduct a simple blood test to assess the health of a patient's general. If the results indicate that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is very high, they can schedule further tests to determine a mesothelioma prognosis. This includes imaging tests like X radiations, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well a lung function test, a chest MRI, or PET scan.