5 Killer Quora Answers On Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the lungs, chest cavity and, in some cases, the tissues surrounding the heart and abdomen. Exposure to asbestos is the principal cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers become stuck 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 the organs inside the body. Exposure to asbestos (Unnewsusa officially announced) fibers may cause these cells to change and develop into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of cases of mesothelioma originate in the lungs (pleura). It can also be found in the tissues of the heart, abdomen and testicles.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and coughing are the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. In addition patients may suffer from abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms are akin to other illnesses and can be difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stages of mesothelioma. It could take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to appear.

A physical examination and a medical history of the patient is the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. To determine the severity of symptoms doctors may recommend tests for blood and imaging scans. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).

X-rays can reveal a mass or fluid that is not normal in the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is and the type of mesothelioma. The two most common types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. About 70% of mesothelioma is epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a lesser-known type and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.

The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma have a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain and difficulty breathing. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart tone and a condition known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum.

The most accurate method to identify mesothelioma is through the taking of a biopsy of the tissue. The type of mesothelioma also determines the method used by a doctor to treat the disease. For example when a patient has mesothelioma of the pericardium, the doctor may remove excess fluid using pleurodesis procedure or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

The cancerous mesothelioma forms on the linings of the organs. The majority of the time, the disease develops in the lung (pleura), though it may also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).

The signs of mesothelioma may be seen between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Due to this time of latency, many patients are misdiagnosed. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that are less serious such as the flu or pneumonia. This could result in delays in treatment, which could decrease the chance of surviving.

Those who suspect that they may have mesothelioma need to visit their doctor right away. During the initial visit, doctors will examine a patient's complete medical history to identify signs and other factors that could make them more likely to have mesothelioma. This includes any previous exposure to asbestos and asbestos, and also the type and duration of the exposure.

The doctor will then recommend imaging tests in the chest and abdomen to check for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs can all show changes in the lungs, like the thickness of the pleural wall or the accumulation of fluid. They can also reveal whether mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

A doctor will also order an examination of the blood to determine whether the patient has high levels of certain chemicals that are related to mesothelioma. They may also carry out an operation known as a Thoracentesis which involves removing fluid from the lungs and looking for cancer cells.

If mesothelioma is found to be the cause A biopsy is then performed to test a small amount 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 aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are most suitable for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Certain patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer type of treatment can enhance the prognosis of a patient and increase their quality of life.

Treatment

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

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and search for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your asbestos exposure, as asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos lawyer 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 cells. Mesothelioma can be identified using blood tests and imaging tests.

Your doctor will make use of an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue, and determine whether you have 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 may also perform an incision using a needle to collect a sample from the affected tissue.

A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will examine mesothelioma cells under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine the kind of mesothelioma you have. The pathologist will employ a dye to stain the tissue samples in order to diagnose the cancer. This dye is visible when certain types of cancer are present. They will then use a specific method to obtain an even closer view of the tissue under microscope.

Mesothelioma may be difficult to recognize because the mesothelioma cells look like other types of cell in the body. Your care team will try to confirm the diagnosis by performing other tests. These tests include the collection of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related peptide that is soluble.

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

Prognosis

The outlook for mesothelioma is based on the type and the stage of cancer, and other factors like the patient's age as well as general health. Patients should consult with a doctor who are knowledgeable about their treatment options.

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. These asbestos fibers can be breathed in or consumed and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that convert normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most common mesothelioma types are mesothelioma pleural (which develops on the linings of the lungs as well as the chest cavity and abdomen) mesothelioma.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking small amounts of tissue to test. The doctors can compare the biopsy samples against databases to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can be used to predict the life expectancy of a person with mesothelioma and their treatment plan.

The mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma type grows at different rates and responds to treatment differently. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up 60 percent to 80% cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.

It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients do not get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a doctor and be checked regularly.

During these visits, doctors will look for signs of asbestos litigation exposure such as scarring on the lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They can also conduct a simple blood check to assess the health of the patient. If the results show 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 radiographs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, in addition to lung function tests and a chest MRI or PET scan.