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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissue lining the chest cavity and lungs and, in some cases the abdominal lining and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This causes cells to transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects tissues which line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause the cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lung (pleura). However, it can happen in the lining of the abdomen and the testicles, as well as the heart.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and coughing are the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Patients also feel abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to diagnose in the beginning particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new disease. It could take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest.

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

X-rays may reveal a mass or fluid that isn't normal in the lungs. These scans aid the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. The two main types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. About 70% of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a lesser-known type and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.

Most people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain and difficulty breathing. Patients with pleural mesothelioma can suffer from an abnormal heart sound or a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.

The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is to collect a tissue sample or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma also determines how a doctor will treat the disease. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer, the doctor will remove excess fluid with the procedure called pleurodesis or insert an pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and enhance breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

The mesothelioma-related cancer forms on the linings of the organs. The majority of cases occur in the lung (pleura) however it can also manifest 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 latency time, many patients could be misdiagnosed. It is often misinterpreted as other, less serious illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. This could result in delays in treatment, which can decrease the chance of surviving.

If you suspect that you might have mesothelioma should consult their physician immediately. During the initial visit, doctors review the medical history of a patient to identify any symptoms or factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos settlement and asbestos, as well as 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, like pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also tell if mesothelioma has spread to other areas of the body.

A doctor may also recommend an analysis of blood to determine if the patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma. They may also carry out an operation called a thoracentesis which involves removal of lungs of fluid and examining for cancerous cells.

If a mesothelioma is confirmed A biopsy is then performed to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cell. This can be accomplished using VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or through an instrument that guides the needle through an CT scan. The results of this test will aid in determining the best mesothelioma treatment plan for the patient. This may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Some patients also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This more advanced mesothelioma treatment may improve the quality of life of a patient and improve their chances of survival.

Treatment

Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the 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, because asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos claim can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the tissues of the chest cavity the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). This can cause inflammation over time, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma.

Your healthcare provider uses a chest X ray to determine if there is fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Your doctor will request MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain detailed images of the affected region. They may also perform an incision using a needle to collect a sample of the affected tissue.

A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will examine mesothelioma cells under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma you suffer from. The pathologist will use a dye to color the tissue samples to identify the cancer. The dye will be visible when certain types of mesothelioma are present. The doctor will then employ an instrument to magnify the tissue.

Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose as mesothelioma cells appear like other types of cells found in the body. Your healthcare team will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by other tests. They may use blood tests to determine the levels of fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related peptide that is soluble.

Your healthcare team will determine the best treatment plan for mesothelioma, based on the type of cancer you have and its stage. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy 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 pain and other signs.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma varies on the type and the stage of cancer, and other factors such as a patient's age and general health. Patients should consult with experienced doctors to learn more about the treatment options available to them.

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers harm the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos litigation fibers can be inhaled or ingested and, over time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that turn normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura) as well as mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer type that is found in the protective lining of the abdomen.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of taking a small sample of tissue to test. Doctors can then compare biopsy samples to a database to determine the most likely mesothelioma cells type. This information can be used to estimate the life expectancy of a patient with mesothelioma and their treatment plan.

Mesothelioma cells are classified in three categories: epithelioid or epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma grows at a different pace and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 60% to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.

It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients don't be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a doctor and be checked regularly.

During these visits, doctors can look for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They can also perform simple blood tests to determine the health of the patient. If the results indicate that a patient is at an increased risk of mesothelioma, they can schedule further tests to receive a prognosis. This includes imaging tests such as X rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well lung function tests and a chest MRI, or PET scan.