Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissues lining the chest cavity and lungs and, in some cases the abdominal lining and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the principal reason for mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers may get stuck in tissues which can cause DNA damage. Cells turn into cancerous mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause the cells to change and develop into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lung (pleura). However, it can also happen in the lining of the abdomen as well as the testicles, heart and lungs.
The most frequent mesothelioma-related symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. Some patients also experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms can be confusing and difficult to diagnose in the early stages particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new disease. It could take years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to show up.
A physical exam and a medical history of the patient is the first steps in determining mesothelioma. A doctor may require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans include CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).
X-rays can show an unusual mass or fluid in the lung. These scans help the doctor determine the nature and location of the mesothelioma. The two major types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. About 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid.
The majority of patients with pleural cancer have a nonproductive, painful cough and breathing difficulties. In rare cases, a person suffering from pleural mesothelioma might have an abnormal heart murmur, an issue called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
Baton Rouge asbestos attorney to accurately diagnose mesothelioma involves the taking of a biopsy of the tissue. The type of mesothelioma also determines the way a doctor treats the disease. For example, if a person has pericardial mesothelioma the doctor could drain excess fluid with a procedure called pleurodesis or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The cancerous mesothelioma is found in the linings of the organs. The disease is most prevalent in the lungs, however it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes.
It takes between 10 and 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to manifest. Because of this latency period, many patients may be mistakenly diagnosed. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that are less serious such as pneumonia or the flu. This mistake can result in delays in treatment, which may lower a patient's chances of surviving.
If you suspect that you may have mesothelioma need to visit their doctor right away. During this initial visit, doctors will take a patient's full medical history to identify symptoms and any factors that could make them more susceptible to mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos or other asbestos-containing substances, and also the type and duration of exposure.
The next step is for doctors to request imaging tests to look at the abdomen and chest 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 an increase in pleural thickness or accumulation of fluid. They can also reveal whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
A doctor may also recommend an examination of the blood to determine if the patient has high levels of certain substances that are related to mesothelioma. They can also perform the procedure known as a thoracentesis, which involves the removal of a sample from the fluid surrounding the lungs to search for cancerous cells.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed the biopsy procedure will be taken to check an insignificant portion of the tumor to detect cancerous cells. This can be done via VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) or through an instrument that guides the needle through an CT scan. The results will help determine which mesothelioma treatments are most suitable for the patient. This may 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 affects tissues that line and protect organs, including the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). 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 inquire about your asbestos exposure as this is the number one risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to get trapped in the chest cavity's lining and tummy, or the heart (mesothelium). Over time, this causes inflammation, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed using blood tests and imaging tests.
Your healthcare provider will employ an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue and determine if you have an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). The doctor will recommend MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain detailed images of the affected region. They may also perform a needle biopsy to obtain an image of the affected tissue.
A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will study mesothelioma cells under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma that you have. The pathologist will employ a dye to stain the tissue samples in order to identify the cancer. The dye will be visible when certain types of mesothelioma are present. They will then use a special technique to get an even closer view of the tissue under a microscope.
It is sometimes difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the cells that cause it appear similar to those of other types of cells within the body. Your healthcare team will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by other tests. These tests include an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related peptide that is soluble.
Your healthcare provider will decide the best treatment plan for mesothelioma based on the type of cancer and stage. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common treatments for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages, you may also receive palliative care to ease discomfort and other signs.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is dependent on the type and stage cancer and other factors such as age and general health. Patients should work with skilled doctors to know more about their treatment options.
Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers harm the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers are breathed in or eaten, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation that transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma types are the 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 suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of taking tiny amounts of tissue to test. Doctors can then compare samples of the biopsy to databases to determine the most likely mesothelioma cells type. This information can be used to determine the longevity of a patient with mesothelioma and their treatment plan.
Mesothelioma cells can be classified into three categories: epithelioid epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each mesothelioma grows at a different pace and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid cancer accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a higher survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid.
It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos, so many patients don't be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they show signs of. Asbestos exposure should be disclosed to a physician and patients should be checked regularly.
During these visits, doctors can check for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring around the lungs or other respiratory problems. They can also perform a simple blood check to assess the health of the patient. If the results show that a patient's risk of developing mesothelioma is very high, they can arrange for further tests to receive a mesothelioma prognosis. This will include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound, as well as a lung function test and an chest MRI or PET scan.