Five Killer Quora Answers To Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs and, in rare instances, the tissues surrounding the heart and abdomen. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma.

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

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect the organs inside the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause the cells to change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. The majority of mesothelioma cases occur in the lung (pleura). It can also occur in the tissues of the abdomen, the heart and testicles.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma. In addition patients may experience abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to diagnose in the beginning stages particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new disease. It may take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos claim for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest.

A physical exam and a medical history of the patient is the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. A doctor can ask for blood tests or 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 may reveal a mass or fluid that is not normal in the lung. These scans help the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. The two most common types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for around 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is less common than epithelioid.

The majority of patients with pleural cancer have a nonproductive, painful cough and breathing difficulties. In some instances, a patient suffering from pleural mesothelioma might have an abnormal heart murmur, an issue known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).

The most accurate method to diagnose mesothelioma involves a biopsy of tissue. The type of mesothelioma will also determine how a physician manages the disease. For example in the case of mesothelioma pericardial the doctor could drain excess fluid with pleurodesis, a procedure that is known as pleurodesis, or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include chemotherapy and surgery.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in the organ's linings, known as the mesothelium. The majority of the time, the disease develops in the lungs (pleura) however it may also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).

The symptoms of mesothelioma could be seen between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Because of this latency time, many patients can be mistakenly diagnosed. It is often mistaken for other, less serious illnesses, like the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis may result in a delay in treatment, which could reduce a patient's chance of survival.

Those who suspect that they may have mesothelioma need to visit their doctor right away. During the initial visit, doctors review the medical history of the patient to identify any symptoms or factors that may increase their likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos compensation and asbestos litigation, and also the type and duration of the exposure.

Next, doctors will request imaging tests to look at the chest and abdomen for signs of mesothelioma and other abnormalities. Chest X-rays CT scans, and MRIs can all show changes in the lungs, including pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also tell the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other areas of the body.

A doctor may also request an examination of the blood to determine whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances that are related to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation known as a thoracentesis, which involves the removal of a small amount of the fluid surrounding the lungs to look for cancer cells.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed then a biopsy is taken to check a small piece of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be accomplished using VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) or by using an instrument that guides the needle through an CT scan. The results will help determine which mesothelioma treatments are best for the patient. This can include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Some patients may also choose to take part in immunotherapy. This latest form of treatment can improve a patient's prognosis and boost their quality of life.

Treatment

Mesothelioma affects tissues that line and protect organs, including the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is not possible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment can help reduce symptoms.

Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and search for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your asbestos exposure, since asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos attorney 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 cells. Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma.

Your doctor uses an X-ray of the chest to determine if you have fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Your provider will order MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to get detailed images of the affected area. They will also conduct a needle biopsy in order to collect a sample from the affected tissue.

A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will study mesothelioma cells under a microscope to detect cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma you have. The pathologist will employ a dye to stain the tissue samples to diagnose the cancer. The dye will be visible when certain types of cancer are present. They will then employ an advanced method to get an in-depth look at the tissue under microscope.

Mesothelioma may be difficult to diagnose as mesothelioma-related cells appear similar to other kinds of cells within the body. Your care team will try to confirm the diagnosis by performing other tests. These include a blood test to determine the levels of fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related, soluble peptide.

Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment plan for mesothelioma based on your cancer type and stage. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the most common treatments for mesothelioma. The option of palliative therapy is available if your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage. This will relieve the pain and other symptoms.

Prognosis

The outlook for mesothelioma is based on the type and stage of cancer, as well as other factors such as the patient's age and general health. Patients should consult with doctors who are experienced to learn about the treatment options available to them.

Mesothelioma develops 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 transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most common mesothelioma forms are pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura), as well as peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer type that is found in the lining that protects the abdomen.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend that a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is when you take tiny amounts of tissue for testing. The doctors can compare the biopsy samples against a database in order to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can be used to estimate the life expectancy of a person with mesothelioma and their treatment plan.

The mesothelioma types are epithelioid and epithelial, epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma develops at a different pace and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid cancer accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases and has a better survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid.

It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma develop following exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients do not be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a doctor and undergo periodic checkups.

During these visits, doctors check for signs of asbestos (super fast reply) exposure like scarring on lung and other respiratory issues. They may also conduct an easy blood test to assess a patient's overall health. If the results indicate that a patient's risk of developing mesothelioma is high they can arrange for further 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, a chest MRI, or PET scan.