Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the lungs, chest cavity and, in rare cases the linings of the heart and abdomen. The main cause of mesothelioma lies in asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers can get stuck in tissues which can cause DNA damage. Cells turn into cancerous mesothelioma cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect the organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers could cause the cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors. Most cases of mesothelioma are located in the lung. However, it could also be found in the lining of the abdomen as well as the testicles, heart and lungs.
The most common mesothelioma symptoms are breathlessness, chest pain and coughing. Some patients also feel abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms are akin to other diseases and are difficult to recognize, especially in the initial stages of mesothelioma. The symptoms of mesothelioma may not be evident for a long time or even decades after asbestos exposure.
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is an examination and a health history. A doctor may require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).
X-rays can reveal a strange swelling or fluid inside the lungs. These scans may help the doctor determine the location of the mesothelioma and the type of mesothelioma. The two main types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up around 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid.
Most patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma have a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain and difficulty breathing. In rare cases, people suffering from pleural mesothelioma might have an abnormal heart murmur an issue called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The most effective method to diagnose mesothelioma involves an examination of the tissues. The type of mesothelioma also determines the method used by a doctor to treat the illness. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer doctors will drain excess fluid using the procedure known as pleurodesis, or insert the pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and enhance respiration. Other options include surgery and chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
The mesothelioma cancerous form forms on the organ's linings. The disease most commonly occurs in the lung (pleura) however it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).
The symptoms of mesothelioma could be noticed between 10 and 50 years after the first exposure. Due to this latency period it is possible for patients to be misdiagnosed. This condition is often mistakenly referred to as other, less serious conditions, such as the flu or pneumonia. This can lead to delays in treatment, which could lower a patient's chances of survival.
If you suspect that you might have mesothelioma should visit their doctor right away. During this initial visit, doctors review the patient's entire medical history to look for signs and any other factors that might make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes past asbestos exposure as well as the nature and duration of the exposure.
The next step is to have doctors conduct imaging tests to examine the abdomen and chest for signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs all offer detailed images of the interior of the body. They also show lung changes, such as pleural thickening or fluid buildup. They can also show whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
A doctor will also order an analysis of blood to determine whether the patient has high levels of certain chemicals that are associated with mesothelioma. They can also carry out the procedure known as a thoracentesis, which involves the removal of a sample from the lungs' fluid to search for cancerous cells.
If mesothelioma is found to be the cause, a biopsy is performed to test a small amount of the tumor for cancerous cell. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan can be used to perform this procedure. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are the most effective for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Certain patients may choose to participate in immunotherapy. This newer type of treatment can enhance the prognosis of a patient and increase their quality of life.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is a threat to the tissues that line and protect organs such as the lungs, stomach (peritoneal) or heart, or testicles. While mesothelioma can't be treated, treatment can help control symptoms.
Inglewood asbestos lawsuit will inquire about your medical history and check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure since it is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the lining of the chest cavity and tummy, or the heart (mesothelium). This causes inflammation over time, and can change normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be identified using imaging tests and blood tests.
Your healthcare provider will use an X-ray chest scan to observe changes in the lung tissue and determine if you suffer from fluid build-up (pleural effusion). The doctor will recommend 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 a sample of the affected tissue.
A mesothelioma expert, also known as a pathologist will look at the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope to detect cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma you suffer from. The doctor will use a dye to stain the tissue samples to diagnose the cancer. The dye is visible when certain types of cancer are present. They will then use a specific method to obtain an in-depth look at the tissue under a microscope.
It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma since the mesothelioma-causing cells appear similar to those of other types of cells in the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. These tests include the collection of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related peptide that is soluble.
Your healthcare team will choose mesothelioma treatments based on the type of cancer you suffer from and the degree to which it is advanced. The most common mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an an advanced stage you could also be offered palliative treatment to relieve discomfort and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on the type and stage of cancer and other factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with knowledgeable doctors to find out more about their treatment options.
Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be inhaled or consumed, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that convert normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma forms are mesothelioma pleural (which forms on the lung linings or chest cavity) and abdomen) mesothelioma.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend an examination to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking small amounts of tissue for testing. The doctors can compare biopsy samples against a database in order to determine the most likely mesothelioma type. This information can be used to estimate the life expectancy of a patient with mesothelioma and their treatment plan.
The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid, epithelial and epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma develops at a different pace and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 60 percent to 80% cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.
It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma develop after exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients do not get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos exposure must be reported to a doctor, and victims must undergo regular checks.
During these visits doctors can check for signs of asbestos-related exposure for example, lung scarring or other respiratory problems. They can also do an easy blood test to determine the patient's health. If the results indicate that a patient's risk of developing mesothelioma is very high, they can schedule additional tests to get an estimate of the prognosis for mesothelioma. This will include imaging exams like X radiographs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, in addition to a lung function test or chest MRI, or PET scan.