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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissue lining the chest cavity and lungs and, in rare instances the abdominal lining and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the principal cause of mesothelioma.

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

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to undergo a change and form mesothelioma tumors. The majority of cases of mesothelioma are found in the lungs (pleura). It can also develop in the tissues of the heart, abdomen and testicles.

The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath as well as chest pain and coughing. Additionally patients may are suffering from abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms are similar to many other diseases and are difficult to identify, particularly in the beginning stages of mesothelioma. It could take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest.

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

X-rays could reveal a lump or fluid that is not normal in the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine the nature and location of the mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid and mesothelioid are the two most prevalent kinds. 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 might have an abnormal heart tone or a condition known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum.

The most accurate way to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample, or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma will also determine how a physician manages the disease. For instance in the case of mesothelioma pericardial doctors may drain excess fluid with pleurodesis procedure or install an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in the linings of organs called the mesothelium. The disease most commonly occurs in the lung (pleura) but it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).

The symptoms of mesothelioma could appear between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Because of this latency period, many patients may be misdiagnosed. It is often mistaken for other less serious illnesses, like the flu or pneumonia. This could result in delays in treatment, which could decrease the chance of surviving.

Those who suspect mesothelioma should see their doctor as soon as they can. At the first appointment, doctors will review the medical history of a patient in order to identify any symptoms or conditions that could increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes any previous exposure to asbestos settlement and asbestos, and also the type and duration of exposure.

The next step is to have doctors conduct imaging tests to examine the abdomen and chest for signs of mesothelioma and other abnormalities. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs all provide detailed images of the interior of the body. They can show lung issues, such as the pleural thickening process or the accumulation of fluid. They can also reveal whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

A doctor will also order a blood test to see whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma. They may also carry out an operation known as a Thoracentesis which involves removal of lungs of fluid and looking for cancer cells.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed then a biopsy is performed to examine a small piece of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle guided CT scan may be used to perform this procedure. The results will help determine which mesothelioma treatments are the most effective for the patient. This can include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Certain patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This latest form of treatment can improve the prognosis of a patient and increase their quality of life.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissues which line and protect organs, such as the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or heart, or testicles. It is not possible to cure mesothelioma, but treatment can help manage symptoms.

Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your asbestos exposure, since asbestos claim is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos settlement can cause asbestos case fibers to get 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 are used to identify mesothelioma.

Your doctor will use a chest X ray to determine if you suffer from fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will request an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) to obtain detailed images. They will also perform an incision using a needle to obtain a sample from the affected tissue.

A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will examine the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope in order to find cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma you have. To determine the type of mesothelioma, the doctor will stain the sample with a dye that shows up when certain kinds of protein are present. They will then use a specific method to obtain a closer look at the tissue under the microscope.

It can be difficult to determine if you have mesothelioma as the cells that cause it look similar to those of other types of cells in the body. Your healthcare team will try to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by performing other tests. This includes a blood test to determine levels of fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related, soluble peptide.

Your healthcare team will determine the best treatment option for mesothelioma, based on the type of cancer and stage. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most popular treatments for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma is in an advanced stage, you may also receive palliative treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma patients is based on the type and stage of cancer as well as factors like age and general health. Patients should consult with doctors who are skilled to find out about the treatment options available to them.

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. These asbestos 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. It occurs in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura) as well as peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer type that is found in the 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 tiny amounts of tissue to test. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples to a database in order to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can help them determine the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan.

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

It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients do not receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and have regular checkups.

During these visits, doctors can examine for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They may also conduct an easy blood test to assess the overall health of a patient. If the results show that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is high they can schedule further tests to get an estimate of the prognosis for mesothelioma. This could include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound, as well as a lung function test and an chest MRI or PET scan.