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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 primary cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers are entangled in tissues and cause DNA damage. This changes cells into mesothelioma cancer cells.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cells to undergo a change and develop into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lungs. However, it can happen in the lining of the abdomen as well as the testicles, heart and lungs.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma. Additionally certain patients experience abdominal pain as well as fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to diagnose in the beginning particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively young disease. It may take years or even decades after exposure to asbestos case for mesothelioma-related symptoms to appear.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is an examination and a medical history. A doctor might require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).

X-rays may reveal a mass or fluid that is not normal in the lung. These scans can help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is and the type of mesothelioma. The two most common mesothelioma types are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for around 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, on the other hand, is and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.

Most people with pleural cancer have a nonproductive, painful cough and breathing problems. People with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart sound or a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.

The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma also determines the way a doctor treats the disease. If a patient has pericardial cancer the doctor will drain excess fluid using the procedure called pleurodesis, or place the pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include chemotherapy and surgery.

Diagnosis

The mesothelioma-related cancer develops on the organ's linings. The majority of cases occur in the lungs (pleura) however it may also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).

The symptoms of mesothelioma can appear between 10 and fifty years after the initial exposure. Because of this time period of latency it is possible for patients to be mistakenly diagnosed. The condition is often mistakenly referred to as other conditions that are less serious, such as pneumonia or the flu. This mistake could result in delays in treatment, which could reduce the chances of surviving.

If you suspect mesothelioma, see their doctor as soon as they can. At the first appointment, doctors will review a patient's medical history to determine if there are any symptoms or conditions that could increase the risk of mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos lawsuit and asbestos, and also the type and duration of exposure.

The doctor will then request imaging tests for the abdomen and chest to look for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X rays, CT scans, and MRIs can all show changes in the lungs, including the thickness of the pleural wall or the accumulation of fluid. They can also tell the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other organs of the body.

A doctor will also order an analysis of blood to determine if the patient has high levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma. They can also carry out the procedure known as a thoracentesis, which involves the removal of a sample from the fluid surrounding the lungs to look for cancer cells.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, a biopsy 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 is a method to carry out this procedure. The results of this test will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment option for the patient. This can include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients might also opt to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form can improve a patient's prognosis and boost their quality of life.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues which line and protect organs such as the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or heart, or testicles. Although mesothelioma cannot be cured, treatment can help control symptoms.

Your doctor will ask you about your medical background and will look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your asbestos exposure, as asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to get trapped in the lining of the chest cavity, tummy or heart (mesothelium). In time, this causes inflammation and changes normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed using imaging tests and blood tests.

Your doctor uses chest X-rays to determine if you suffer from an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will order an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions (PET) to obtain precise images. They will also conduct a needle biopsy to obtain an in-situ sample of the affected tissue.

A mesothelioma expert, also known as a pathologist will study the mesothelioma tissues under a microscope in order to find cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma that you have. The doctor will use dyes to stain tissues to diagnose the cancer. The dye will be visible when certain types of mesothelioma are present. They will then employ a specific method to obtain a closer look at the tissue under the microscope.

Mesothelioma may be difficult to identify because mesothelioma-related cells appear similar to other kinds of cell within 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 medical team will decide on a mesothelioma treatment plan depending on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most popular treatment options for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stages you could also be offered palliative care to relieve discomfort and other signs.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma is determined by the type and stage cancer as well as factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with skilled doctors to know more about the treatment options available to them.

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers damage 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 turn normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma that is a form of cancer that develops in the lung lining and the chest cavity (pleura) as well as mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer form that arises in the lining that protects the abdomen.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend that a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal a small piece of tissue to be examined. Doctors then compare the samples of the biopsy to a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma cell type. This information can help them predict a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy and treatment plan.

Mesothelioma cells are classified in three categories: epithelioid, epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma kind develops at a different rate and responds to treatment in a different way. Epithelioid cancer accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a higher survival rate than biphasic or sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients do not be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a doctor and have regular checkups.

During these visits, doctors examine for signs of asbestos settlement exposure like scarring on lungs and other respiratory problems. They can also perform a simple blood test to assess the overall health of a patient. If the results indicate that a patient's risk for mesothelioma is high they can schedule additional tests to get mesothelioma-related prognosis. This includes imaging tests such as X radiations, CT scans, and ultrasounds, in addition to a lung function test or chest MRI, or PET scan.