Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer associated with exposure to asbestos the mineral that occurs naturally. The disease is usually diagnosed years after exposure.
Doctors treat mesothelioma with radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer.
There are three types of mesothelioma. The stage and type of cells that comprise the tumor impact the prognosis.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the mesothelium thin layer of tissue that is the lining of internal organs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos which is a group of fibrous minerals.
The exposure to asbestos typically occurs when people swallow or inhale asbestos fibers. The asbestos particles stick to organ linings, irritate them and cause tumors. Mesothelioma is detected when doctors study these tumors and then take a sample of tissue, known as biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of cells are found in the tumors. The three types of mesothelioma are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid), biphasic and sarcomatoid. Epithelial mesothelioma has the highest common type and accounts for 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma accounts for 10% of all cases and has a less favorable prognosis compared to the epithelial. Biphasic mesothelioma has a mixture of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells and is responsible for 30 to 40% of all diagnoses.
Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, abdominal pain and breathing difficulties. These symptoms are similar to symptoms of other conditions, so it is important to see the doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Treatment for mesothelioma may improve symptoms, slow tumour growth and make it easier for patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Patients can also get palliative treatment, which helps to manage discomfort and pain.
Doctors are still researching ways to treat mesothelioma and how it grows. New treatments include immunotherapy which relies on your body's immune system to fight cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise for some mesothelioma patients. Patients can also take part in clinical trials, which are research studies of new treatments. Patients with mesothelioma are often treated at cancer centers with specialized specialists who treat the condition.
Diagnosis
The first step to receive treatment to extend your life is a mesothelioma diagnose. Your doctors will begin by analyzing your health history and symptoms, then determining the type of mesothelioma you have. This is crucial as the three mesothelioma cell kinds respond differently to treatment.
The first test that your doctor might suggest is chest X-rays or CT scan. During the procedure, you'll lie on a table as the X-ray machine or CT scan generates a clear image of your chest and its surrounding organs. Before the procedure, a small amount of dye, which is usually Iodine is administered. This makes the tissue in your abdomen or chest lighter and makes it easier to see. You may also be asked to perform a the test of breathing at this period of time.
If these tests reveal the possibility of a tumor that is cancerous or mass the doctor will most likely request the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of an area of tissue from the mass or tumor, either by surgery or by inserting an needle into the region. The sample is examined under a microscope for mesothelioma.
In certain cases our specialists employ ultrasound to detect lymph nodes with enlarged lymphatic vessels that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial Ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. It is done on an outpatient basis so you can return home the next day.
A mesothelioma specialist will be required to determine your stage of mesothelioma. The stages are determined by how far the cancer has spread and the kind of mesothelioma it is. Finding a reliable diagnosis from a mesothelioma expert is the best way to make sure that you receive the right treatment.
Treatment
A patient's mesothelioma treatment program depends on how far the disease has advanced and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients generally receive multimodal therapy which is a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.
The first step to treat mesothelioma begins with an examination of the body and informing the doctor about any prior exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also order blood tests and imaging scans to detect mesothelioma and rule out other illnesses. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans, FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography), and mediastinoscopy.
The majority of mesothelioma cases that are pleural are treated surgically. A patient may undergo a minimally-invasive procedure referred to as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can alleviate symptoms and increase a patient's life expectancy.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing. It is a standard mesothelioma treatment, and can prolong survival. It can be administered via intravenous drip (IV) or pill form.
Radiation is a different mesothelioma treatment which can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors. It can be administered at various stages of pleural mesothelioma and also to ease discomfort and allow patients to live longer.
In the late stages of mesothelioma therapy, doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to extend the lifespan of patients as long as is possible. This kind of treatment is known as palliative treatment. While the mesothelioma-related survival rate is very low, there are many survivors. For instance, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, lived another 20 years before dying due to complications from a different illness.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a cancer that can manifest symptoms for that last for months or even years before an official diagnosis is made. The initial symptoms are similar to those triggered by other conditions and it is easy to overlook or mistake them for minor illnesses. However, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor immediately.
The organs in your body are surrounded by a layer called the mesothelium. This layer prevents them from colliding with each the other. Mesothelioma can affect the mesothelium cell which form the lining of many of your organs. Most mesothelioma cases begin within the lining of the lungs, but it can also manifest in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and within the lining surrounding your testicles (tunica vaginalis).
The earliest symptoms of mesothelioma are often breathlessness or chest pain, as well as fatigue. Mesothelioma can also cause the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall and lungs and cause an edema called pleural. A pleural effusion could place pressure on the lungs making coughing difficult and difficult breathing.
Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of a patient and conducting an examination. They may also order chest X-rays to check for abnormalities such as thickening of the lung's lining, or the buildup of fluid on the chest wall. They may also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to get an in-depth look at your lung and other tissues within your body. They may also drain any fluid that collects in the pleura and the peritoneum by using an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure.
A biopsy may help determine the mesothelioma type that is forming the tumor and how it is advancing. This will allow doctors to determine the best treatment options. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the three kinds of standard mesothelioma treatments.
Prevention
Mesothelioma can't be prevented, but you can lower the risk by avoiding asbestos and staying away from those with it. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer and other illnesses that affect the organ linings. There are edinburg mesothelioma law firm of mesothelioma, and some of them are more serious than others. Some types of mesothelioma are more manageable.
Asbestos is a group of minerals that have thin micro-sized fibers. It was used in construction and industrial products by manufacturers who were not aware of the dangers it posed. Veterans and blue-collar workers were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be hazardous and you shouldn't stay in an old factory or work in it.
If you have an history of exposure to asbestos, consult with your physician about getting regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners will reveal any issues in your abdomen or lungs. A biopsy can identify a tumor on the stomach lining or chest. Doctors can test tissue samples from this area to determine if you suffer from mesothelioma. There is a chance that you have pleural mesothelioma that affects the lungs' membrane. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma, testicular mesothelioma, or pericardial meso.
It can take years for mesothelioma cancer to develop following exposure to asbestos. Even so, it can be difficult to identify. It's often misdiagnosed as a different condition or illness such as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. This could prevent you from receiving the proper treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis, and are developing tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatments and a better survival rate. Genetic tests are used to identify those most likely to develop the disease.