Are You Making The Most Of Your Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer? Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

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

Asbestos fibers can get stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. Cells turn into cancerous mesothelioma cells.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects the tissues which line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause the cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors. Most cases of mesothelioma are located in the lung. However, it could also occur in the lining of the abdomen as well as the testicles, heart and lungs.

The most frequent mesothelioma-related symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. In yonkers asbestos attorneys , some patients are suffering from abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms are akin to other ailments and are difficult to identify, particularly in the beginning stages of mesothelioma. It may take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to appear.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is a physical examination and a medical history. A doctor might request blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (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. Sarcomatoid and mesothelioid are the two most prevalent kinds. Around 70% of mesothelioma is epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is less prevalent than epithelioid.

The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and trouble breathing. In certain instances, a patient suffering from pleural mesothelioma might have an abnormal heart murmur which is known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).

The most reliable method to determine if mesothelioma has been diagnosed is to take a tissue sample, or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma determines how a doctor will treat the disease. If a patient has pericardial cancer doctors will remove excess fluid with the procedure called pleurodesis, or insert a pleural catheter in order to reduce inflammation and enhance breathing. Other treatments include chemotherapy and surgery.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in the organ's linings called the mesothelium. The disease is most common in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes.

The signs of mesothelioma may be seen between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Due to this latency period many patients can be mistakenly diagnosed. The condition is often mistakenly referred to as other conditions that are less serious, such as the flu or pneumonia. This can result in delays in treatment, which may decrease the chance of survival.

Those who suspect mesothelioma should see their doctor as soon as they can. In the first visit, doctors review the patient's entire medical history to look for symptoms and any factors that could make them more likely to have mesothelioma. This includes previous asbestos exposure, as well the kind and duration.

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

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

If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, a biopsy is performed to check a small sample 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 the best mesothelioma treatment option for the patient. This may include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This latest mesothelioma treatment can boost 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, such as the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Although mesothelioma is not curable, it can be treated however, treatment can reduce symptoms.

Your doctor will ask you about your health history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about asbestos exposure as it is the main mesothelioma risk factor. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to get trapped in the tissues of the chest cavity, tummy or heart (mesothelium). As time passes, this causes inflammation and transforms normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma is diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests.

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

A pathologist, a mesothelioma expert, will analyze the tissue under a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cells and determine the kind. To establish the diagnosis the pathologist will stain the sample using a dye which shows up when certain types of protein are present. They will then use a special technique to get an even closer view of the tissue under microscope.

Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose as the mesothelioma cells look like other types of cells found within the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma using other tests. These include a blood test to determine the levels of fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related, soluble peptide.

Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma, based on your cancer type and stage. The most common mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an an advanced stage, you may also receive palliative care to relieve discomfort and other symptoms.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma is based on the stage and type of cancer as well as factors like age and general health. Patients should consult with experienced doctors to learn more about the treatment options available to them.

Asbestos fibers can cause damage to tissues that line vital organs and protect them. These asbestos fibers are inhaled or consumed, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation that can transform normal cells into mesothelioma cancers. The most common mesothelioma forms are the pleural (which is a tumor that develops on the lung linings or chest cavity) and abdomen) mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays. They may also suggest taking a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal a small piece of tissue to be tested. Doctors can then compare the biopsy samples against databases to determine the most likely mesothelioma cell type. This information can be used to determine the longevity of a patient with mesothelioma, as well as their treatment plan.

Mesothelioma cells can be classified into three categories: epithelioid epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma type grows at different rates and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.


Mesothelioma can be diagnosed up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Many patients aren't diagnosed of mesothelioma until they experience serious symptoms. Asbestos sufferers should report their exposure to a doctor and undergo periodic checkups.

During these visits, doctors can look for signs of asbestos exposure such as scarring on the lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They can also do an easy blood test to determine the patient's health. If the results show that a patient is at high risk for mesothelioma, they can arrange for additional tests to determine if they are likely to develop an outlook. This will include imaging exams like X rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well lung function tests or chest MRI or PET scan.