5 Killer Quora Answers To Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

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

Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. The result is that cells turn into cancerous mesothelioma cells.

Symptoms

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

Breathlessness, chest discomfort and coughing are the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Patients also suffer from abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms are similar to those of other ailments and are difficult to recognize, especially in the initial stages of mesothelioma. It could take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to show up.

A physical examination and a patient's health history are the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. To determine the severity of symptoms the doctor can order blood tests and imaging scans. These scans could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).

X-rays can show an unusual swelling or fluid inside the lungs. These scans help the doctor determine the nature and location of the mesothelioma. The two major types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for about 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a lesser-known type and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.

The majority of patients with pleural cancer have a nonproductive, painful cough and breathing difficulties. A person with pleural msothelioma may have an abnormal heart tone or a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.

The most effective method to diagnose mesothelioma involves an examination of the tissues. The type of mesothelioma will determine how a doctor treats the illness. For example in the case of mesothelioma pericardial, the doctor may drain excess fluid with pleurodesis procedure or insert a pleural catheter in the body to reduce inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

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

It takes between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Because of this latency time, many patients are incorrectly diagnosed. It is often misinterpreted as other, less serious illnesses, like the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis may cause delays in treatment that can reduce a patient's chance of survival.

Those who suspect that they might have mesothelioma should consult their physician immediately. During the first visit, doctors examine a patient's complete medical history to determine signs and any other factors that may make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes any previous exposure to asbestos and asbestos, as well as the nature and duration of exposure.

Next, doctors will conduct imaging tests to examine the chest and abdomen for signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs are all able to reveal changes in the lungs, including pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also reveal if mesothelioma has spread 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 linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation known as a thoracentesis. It involves the removal of a sample from the fluid surrounding the lungs to check for cancerous cells.

If a mesothelioma is confirmed the biopsy procedure is carried out to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cell. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle-guided CT scan can be used to perform this procedure. The results will help determine which mesothelioma treatments are best for the patient. This could include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Certain patients may choose to participate in immunotherapy. This more advanced mesothelioma treatment could improve the quality of life of a patient and improve their outlook.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, including the lung (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is impossible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment can help reduce 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 case is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos case can cause asbestos fibers to get trapped in the chest cavity's lining, tummy or heart (mesothelium). This can cause inflammation over time, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be identified using imaging tests and blood tests.

Your doctor will make use of an X-ray chest scan to observe changes in the lung tissue and determine whether you have fluid build-up (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will order an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions (PET) to obtain precise images. They will also perform a needle biopsy in order to obtain a sample from the affected tissue.

A pathologist, a mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cells and determine their type. 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. The doctor will then use a technique to magnify the tissue.

It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma since the mesothelioma-causing cells look similar to those of other types of cells in the body. Your care team will try to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. These tests involve the collection of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related protein that is soluble.

Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma depending on the type of cancer you have and its stage. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also receive palliative care to ease pain and other symptoms.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and the stage of cancer, in addition to other factors like the patient's age as well as general health. Patients should consult with doctors who are knowledgeable about their treatment options.

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or consumed and, over time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most common mesothelioma forms are pleural mesothelioma that occurs in the lung lining and the chest cavity (pleura), as well as mesothelioma peritoneal, a less common form that arises in the lining that protects the abdomen.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend taking a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of taking tiny amounts of tissue for testing. Doctors can then compare the biopsy samples against a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma cell type. This information can help them predict the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan.

Mesothelioma cells are classified into three categories: epithelioid epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma type develops at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid cancer makes up 60 to 80 percent of all cases and has a higher survival rate than biphasic or sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos. Therefore, many patients don't be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and undergo periodic checkups.

During these visits, doctors will check for signs of asbestos attorney exposure like scarring on lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They can also perform an easy blood test to determine the health of the patient. If the results indicate that a patient's risk of developing mesothelioma is very high, they can arrange for further tests to determine mesothelioma-related prognosis. This may include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as lung function tests, and an chest MRI or PET scan.