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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity, lungs, and, in rare instances, the tissues surrounding the abdomen and heart. 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.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects the tissues that 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 lungs. It can also occur in the linings of the abdomen, the heart and testicles.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort and coughing are among the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Additionally certain patients are suffering from abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to diagnose in the beginning particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new condition. It may take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos settlement for mesothelioma-related symptoms to show up.

A physical exam and a health history of the patient are the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. A doctor might request 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 may reveal an unusual mass or fluid in the lungs. These scans may help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is located and the kind of mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid and epithelioid mesothelioma the two major types. About 70% of mesothelioma is epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is less common than epithelioid.

Most people with pleural cancer suffer from a painful, non-productive cough and breathing difficulties. In rare cases, a person with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur which is known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).

The best way to accurately identify mesothelioma is to take an examination of the tissues. The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will also determine how a physician manages the disease. For example when a patient has pericardial mesothelioma doctors may remove excess fluid using pleurodesis procedure or install an indwelling pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include chemotherapy and surgery.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the linings of organs, known as the mesothelium. The majority of the time, the disease develops in the lung (pleura) however it can also manifest 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 time, many patients are mistakenly diagnosed. The condition is often mistakenly referred to as other, less serious conditions such as pneumonia or the flu. This mistake could result in a delay in treatment, which can decrease the chance of a patient's survival.

Those who suspect that they may have mesothelioma need to consult their physician immediately. During the initial visit, doctors examine a patient's complete medical history to look for symptoms and any factors that might make them more likely to have mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos and asbestos, as well as the type and duration of exposure.

The next step is for doctors to request imaging tests to look at the chest and abdomen for any signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X-rays CT scans and MRIs all provide detailed images of the interior of the body. They also show lung issues like pleural thickening or fluid buildup. They can also reveal if mesothelioma has spread to other organs of the body.

A doctor can also request a test of the blood to determine whether a patient has high levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma. They may also carry out an operation called a thoracentesis which involves removing fluid from the lungs and looking for cancer cells.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed the biopsy procedure is carried out to check a small sample of the tumor for cancerous cell. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle-guided CT scan is a method to carry out this procedure. The results of this will help determine the best mesothelioma treatment option for the patient. This may include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients may also choose to take part in immunotherapy. This newer type of treatment can enhance the prognosis of a patient and increase their quality of life.

Treatment

Mesothelioma affects tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Although mesothelioma cannot be cured but treatment can help manage symptoms.

Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and look for symptoms 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 become trapped in the tissues of the chest cavity, tummy or heart (mesothelium). As time passes this causes inflammation, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to detect mesothelioma.

Your healthcare provider will use an X-ray chest scan to observe changes in your lung tissue and determine if you suffer from the build-up of fluid (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will request an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET), to get detailed images. They will also do the needle biopsy to collect an in-situ sample of the affected tissue.

A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will study the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope in order to find cancerous cells and determine the type of mesothelioma you suffer from. The doctor will use a dye to stain the tissue samples in order to identify the cancer. This dye is visible when certain types of cancer are present. The doctor will then employ an instrument to magnify the tissue.

It is sometimes difficult to identify mesothelioma since the mesothelioma-causing cells look similar to those of other types of cells in the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the diagnosis by performing other tests. These tests involve an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3 or mesothelin related protein that is soluble.

Your care team will choose mesothelioma treatments based on the kind of cancer you have and the degree to which it is advanced. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most popular treatments for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stages you could also receive palliative treatment to relieve discomfort and other signs.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma is based on the stage and type of cancer as well as factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with doctors who are experienced to learn about their treatment options.

Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers harm the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos claim fibers can be breathed in or consumed, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma variants are pleural mesothelioma that occurs in the lung lining and the chest cavity (pleura) and mesothelioma peritoneal, a less common form that arises in the protective lining of the abdomen.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays. They may also suggest an examination to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal tiny pieces of tissue to be tested. Doctors can then compare biopsy samples against databases to determine 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 into three categories: epithelioid or epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each mesothelioma develops at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 60 percent to 80% cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.

It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients don't get a diagnosis of 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 look for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on the lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They can also conduct simple blood tests to assess the health of the patient. If the results indicate that the patient is at a the highest risk of developing mesothelioma they can arrange for additional tests to determine if they are likely to develop a prognosis. This will include imaging exams such as X radiographs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, in addition to a lung function test and a chest MRI, or PET scan.