Five Killer Quora Answers To Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs, and, in some cases, the linings of the abdomen and the heart. Exposure to asbestos is the principal reason for mesothelioma.

asbestos lawsuit fibers are entangled in tissues and cause DNA damage. This causes cells to transform 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 fibers could cause these cells to undergo a change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lung. It can also occur in the tissues of the abdomen, heart and testicles.

Chest discomfort, and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma. Patients may also feel abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms can be confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning stages particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new condition. It may take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to show up.

A physical exam and a health history of the patient are the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. To determine the severity of the symptoms doctors may recommend tests for blood and imaging scans. These scans include 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 lung. These scans can help the doctor determine the type and location of the mesothelioma. The two most common mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for about 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a lesser-known type and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.

People with pleural cancer typically suffer from a painful, non-productive cough and breathing difficulties. Patients with pleural mesothelioma can suffer from an abnormal heart sound and a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.

The most effective method to identify mesothelioma is through the taking of a biopsy of the tissue. The type of mesothelioma will determine how a doctor will treat the illness. For instance, if a person has pericardial mesothelioma doctors may eliminate excess fluid through a procedure called pleurodesis or install an indwelling pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, occurs in the linings of organs called the mesothelium. The disease is most prevalent in the lungs. However, it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes.

It takes between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma or mesothelioma onset. Due to this latency period many patients can be misdiagnosed. This illness is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious conditions such as pneumonia or the flu. This mistake can result in delays in treatment, which can reduce the chances of survival.

Anyone who suspects that they may have mesothelioma need to consult their physician immediately. In the initial visit, doctors review the medical history of the patient to determine if there are any signs or symptoms that increase the risk of mesothelioma. This includes any previous exposure to asbestos claim and asbestos, as well as the type and duration of exposure.

The doctor will then request imaging tests for the abdomen and chest to look for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays CT scans and MRIs can all reveal changes in the lungs, such as pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also reveal if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

A doctor will also order a blood test to see if the patient has high levels of certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation called a thoracentesis which involves removal of lungs of fluid and looking for cancer cells.

If mesothelioma is found to be the cause the biopsy procedure is carried out to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan is a method to perform this procedure. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are most suitable for the patient. This may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Certain patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form of mesothelioma treatment may improve the quality of life for patients and improve their chances of survival.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, including the lung (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is impossible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment may help control symptoms.

Your doctor will ask you about your health history and look 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 fibers to get trapped in the lining of the chest cavity the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). Over time this causes inflammation, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma.

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

A pathologist, or mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue under a magnifying glass to identify cancerous cells and determine their kind. The pathologist will use dyes to stain tissues to identify the cancer. The dye will be visible when certain types are present. They will then employ an advanced method to get an in-depth look at the tissue under the microscope.

It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the cells that cause it appear 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 healthcare team will determine the best treatment plan for mesothelioma, based on the type of cancer and its stage. The most popular mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also receive palliative care to ease discomfort and other symptoms.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and the stage of cancer, in addition to other factors like a patient's age and general health. Patients should consult with knowledgeable doctors to find out more about the treatment options available to them.

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos claim fibers can be breathed in or ingested and, over time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer that develops in the lung lining and the chest cavity (pleura), and peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer form that develops in the protective lining of the abdomen.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays. They may also suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue for testing. Doctors can then compare samples of the biopsy to a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma cells type. This information can be used to determine the life expectancy of a patient suffering from mesothelioma as well as their treatment plan.

The mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma forms at a different pace and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.

It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma develop after exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients don't receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they experience significant symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and undergo periodic checkups.

During these visits, doctors check for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on the lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They can also conduct a simple blood check to determine the patient's health. If the results show that an individual is at a high risk for mesothelioma, they can schedule additional tests to receive an estimate of the prognosis. This may include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as lung function tests and a chest MRI or PET scan.