Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity and lungs, and in rare cases, the lining of the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can get stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. This changes cells into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, affects tissues which line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. The majority of mesothelioma cases originate in the lungs (pleura). It can also occur in the linings of the abdomen, the heart and testicles.
Chest discomfort, and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma. In addition, some patients experience abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. bloomington asbestos law firm can be confusing and difficult to identify in the early stages particularly when mesothelioma still a relatively young disease. It may take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to manifest.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam and a health history. A doctor might require 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 could reveal a lump or fluid that is not normal in the lungs. These scans may help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is located and the kind of mesothelioma. The two most common types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Around 70% of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is less common and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.
The majority of people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma have a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and difficulty breathing. In rare cases, people with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur a condition called pericardial effusion, or a swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The most accurate way to determine if mesothelioma has been diagnosed is to collect a tissue sample or biopsy, for testing. 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 drain excess fluid with a procedure called pleurodesis or install an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the organ's linings called the mesothelium. The majority of cases occur in the lungs (pleura) however it may also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
It can take between 10 to 50 years for the first signs of mesothelioma to appear. Due to this latency period many patients could be mistakenly diagnosed. It is often mistaken for other less serious illnesses, like pneumonia or the flu. This can result in a delay in treatment, which could reduce the chance of a patient's survival.
Those who suspect that they might have mesothelioma should consult their physician immediately. At the first visit, doctors review a patient's medical history to determine if there are any symptoms or conditions that may increase their risk of mesothelioma. This includes previous asbestos exposure as well as the kind and duration.
The doctor will then recommend imaging tests in the chest and abdomen to check for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X rays, CT scans, and MRIs can all 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 parts of the body.
A doctor may also recommend an analysis of blood to determine whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances that are associated with mesothelioma. They can also perform the procedure known as a thoracentesis. It 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 performed to examine small portions of the tumor to detect cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle guided CT scan may be used to perform this procedure. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are best for the patient. This may include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients will also opt to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form of mesothelioma treatment may improve a patient's quality of life and improve their prognosis.
Treatment
Mesothelioma affects tissues that line and protect organs, including the lung (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Although mesothelioma is not curable, it can be treated however, treatment can reduce symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your exposure to asbestos, as asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the tissues of the chest cavity, tummy or heart (mesothelium). This can cause inflammation over time and may change normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma is diagnosed with imaging tests and blood tests.
Your healthcare provider will use an X-ray chest scan to observe changes in your lung tissue and determine if you have fluid build-up (pleural effusion). Your provider will order MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain detailed images of the affected area. They will also conduct an incisional needle biopsy to collect an in-situ sample of the affected tissue.
A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will look at mesothelioma cells under a microscope in order to find cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma you suffer from. To make the diagnosis the pathologist will stain the sample with a dye that lights up when certain kinds of protein are present. The doctor will then employ techniques to magnify the tissue.
Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because the mesothelioma cells look like other types of cell within the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. These tests involve the collection of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3 or mesothelin related protein that is soluble.
Your care team will determine a mesothelioma treatment plan depending on the kind of cancer you have and the degree to which it is advanced. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most common treatment options for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also be offered palliative treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and the stage of cancer, and other factors, such as the patient's age as well as general health. Patients should consult with a doctor who are knowledgeable about their treatment options.
Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. These asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and can cause genetic changes and inflammation that can transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma variants are pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lung lining and the chest cavity (pleura) and mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer type that is found in the protective lining of the abdomen.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend taking a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of taking small amounts of tissue to test. Doctors then compare the samples of the biopsy to databases to determine the most likely mesothelioma cell type. This information can help them determine a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy and treatment plan.
The mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial and epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma type grows at different rates 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 significant symptoms. Asbestos-related victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and be checked regularly.
During these visits, doctors can examine for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on the lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They can also do a simple blood check to determine the health of the patient. If the results indicate that an individual is at a an increased risk of mesothelioma, they can schedule additional tests to determine if they are likely to develop an outlook. This could include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound and lung function tests and a chest MRI or PET scan.