Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity, lungs, and, in rare cases the linings of the abdomen and the heart. Exposure to asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This causes cells to transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, affects tissues which connect and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause cancerous cells to develop into mesothelioma-related tumors. The majority of cases of mesothelioma originate in the lungs (pleura). However, it can also happen in the abdominal lining, heart and testicles.
The most common mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath as well as chest pain and coughing. Some patients also suffer from abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to diagnose in the beginning stages particularly when mesothelioma still a relatively young disease. It may take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest.
A physical examination and a patient's health history are the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. To determine the severity of the symptoms, a doctor may order blood tests and imaging scans. These scans can 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 can help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is located and the type of mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid and mesothelioid are the two main types. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for around 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid.
Most patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain and difficulty breathing. People with pleural mesothelioma can have an abnormal heart sound and a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.
The best way to accurately identify mesothelioma is to take an examination of the tissues. The type of mesothelioma also dictate how a doctor will treat the illness. For instance, if a person has mesothelioma pericardial the doctor could remove excess fluid using pleurodesis procedure or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The cancerous mesothelioma forms on the organ's linings. The disease is most prevalent in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can appear 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 mistake can result in delays in treatment, which could reduce the chances of survival.
If you suspect mesothelioma, see their doctor immediately. During the initial visit, doctors will review the patient's entire medical history to identify signs and any other factors that may make them more susceptible to mesothelioma. This includes asbestos exposure in the past as well as the kind and duration.
The doctor will then order imaging tests of the chest and abdomen to look for signs of mesothelioma. Chest Xrays, CT scans and MRIs all provide precise images of the inside of the body and can show lung changes like pleural thickening or fluid buildup. They can also reveal the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other organs of the body.
A doctor may also order an analysis of the blood to determine whether a patient has high levels in certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They can also carry out a procedure called a thoracentesis. san leandro asbestos lawyer involves the removal of a sample from the lungs' fluid to check for cancerous cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed the biopsy procedure will be taken to check small portions of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle-guided CT scan can be used to perform this procedure. The results of this will aid in determining the best mesothelioma treatment option for the patient. This may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Certain patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This latest mesothelioma treatment could improve the quality of life for patients and improve their prognosis.
Treatment
Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line and protect organs, including the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the 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 inquire about your medical history and look for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about asbestos exposure as it is the main mesothelioma risk factor. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibers to get trapped in the linings of the chest cavity (mesothelium), stomach or heart. This can cause inflammation over time and may transform normal cells into cancerous cells. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed using imaging tests and blood tests.
Your healthcare provider will use an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue, and determine if you suffer from an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will order an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) to obtain precise images. They will also conduct an incision using a needle to obtain a sample from the affected tissue.
A pathologist, also known as a mesothelioma specialist, will look at the tissue under a magnifying glass to identify cancerous cells and determine the kind. To establish the diagnosis, the doctor will stain the sample with a dye that shows up when certain kinds of proteins are present. Then, they will employ a specific method to obtain a closer look at the tissue under a microscope.
Mesothelioma may be difficult to identify because mesothelioma-related cells appear similar to other kinds of cells within the body. Your healthcare team will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. These include a blood test to determine the levels of fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related, soluble peptide.
Your care team will choose the mesothelioma treatment plan based on the type of cancer you have and the degree to which it is advanced. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the most commonly used treatment options for mesothelioma. A palliative treatment option is available when your mesothelioma is at an advanced stage. This will relieve the discomfort and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is determined by the stage and type of 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.
Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. These asbestos fibers can be inhaled or consumed and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most prevalent forms of mesothelioma are pleural (which forms on the lung linings, chest cavity, and abdomen) mesothelioma.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend that a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking tiny amounts of tissue to be tested. The doctors can compare the biopsy samples against a database in order to determine the most likely mesothelioma type. This information can help them predict the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan.
Mesothelioma cells are classified into three categories: epithelioid epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each mesothelioma type develops at a different rate and responds to treatment differently. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up 60 percent to 80% cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.
It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos, so many patients don't receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Exposure to asbestos should be disclosed to a doctor, and victims must undergo regular checks.
During these visits, doctors will examine for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on the lung and other respiratory issues. They can also conduct a simple blood check to assess the health of the patient. If the results show that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is high they can schedule further tests to get mesothelioma-related prognosis. This could include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as lung function tests and an chest MRI or PET scan.