Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissues lining the lungs and chest cavity and, in rare instances the abdomen's lining and the heart. Exposure to asbestos is the primary reason for mesothelioma.

deer park asbestos attorney fibers can get stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. This causes cells to transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, affects tissues which connect and protect organs in the body. Exposure to southgate asbestos lawsuit fibers could cause these cells to undergo a change and develop into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lung (pleura). However, it could also occur in the lining of the abdomen, heart and testicles.

The most frequent mesothelioma-related symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. Some patients also feel abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning stages particularly when mesothelioma still a relatively new disease. The signs of mesothelioma might not appear for years or even decades after asbestos exposure.

A physical examination and patient's health history are the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. A doctor might require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans could 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 kind and location of mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid and mesothelioid are the two main types. Around 70% of mesothelioma is epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is less common, and has a worse prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.

The majority of people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain and difficulty breathing. In some instances, a patient with pleural mesothelioma could have an abnormal heart murmur an issue known as pericardial effusion or a swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).

The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample, or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma determines how a doctor will treat the illness. If a patient has pericardial cancer, the doctor will drain the excess fluid through a procedure known as pleurodesis, or insert the pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include chemotherapy and surgery.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in the organ's linings, known as the mesothelium. The disease is most common in the lungs, but it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes.

The signs of mesothelioma may be noticed between 10 and 50 years after the first exposure. Because of this latency time, many patients can be incorrectly diagnosed. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This can lead to delays in treatment, which can decrease the chance of surviving.

Those who suspect that they might have mesothelioma should consult their physician immediately. During this first visit, doctors take a patient's full medical history to look for signs and any other factors that might make them more susceptible to mesothelioma. This includes any previous exposure to asbestos, as well as the nature and duration of the exposure.

The doctor will then order imaging tests in the abdomen and chest to look for signs of mesothelioma. 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 tell whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

A doctor may also recommend an examination of the blood to determine whether the patient has high levels of certain substances that are 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 a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed the biopsy procedure will be performed to examine small portions of the tumor to detect cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle-guided CT scan can be used to perform this procedure. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are best for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients will also opt to undergo immunotherapy. This more advanced mesothelioma treatment may improve the quality of life of a patient and improve their chances of survival.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect organs like the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or the heart or testicles. While mesothelioma can't be treated, treatment can help control symptoms.

Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and search for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about asbestos exposure as it is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the lining of the chest cavity the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). This causes inflammation over time, and can change normal cells into cancerous cells. Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma.

Your healthcare provider will employ an X-ray chest scan to observe changes in your lung tissue and determine if you suffer from an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). Your doctor will recommend an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) to obtain high-quality images. They may also perform an incisional needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue.

A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will look at the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine the type of mesothelioma you suffer from. To determine the type of mesothelioma the doctor will stain the tissue sample with a dye that lights up when certain types of proteins are present. The doctor will then use an instrument to magnify the tissue.

It is sometimes difficult to identify mesothelioma since the cells that cause it are similar to other types of cells within the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma using other tests. These tests include a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related peptide that is soluble.

Your medical team will decide on a mesothelioma treatment plan depending on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most popular treatments for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma has reached an an advanced stage, you may also receive palliative care to ease discomfort and other symptoms.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and stage of cancer, and other factors, such as a patient's age and general health. Patients should consult with experienced doctors to learn more about the treatment options available to them.

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers harm the tissues that line and protect vital organs. These asbestos fibers are inhaled or consumed, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation that can transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumours. The most frequent mesothelioma variants are pleural mesothelioma that is a form of cancer that develops in the lung lining and chest cavity (pleura) and mesothelioma peritoneal, a less common form that arises in the lining of the abdomen.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue to be tested. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples against a database in order to determine the most likely mesothelioma type. This information will help them predict the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan.

The mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma develops at a different rate 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.

It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos. Therefore, many patients do not be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and be checked regularly.

During these visits doctors can look for signs of asbestos-related exposure for example, scarring around the lungs or other respiratory problems. They can also conduct a simple blood test to determine a patient's overall health. If the results indicate that an individual is at a high risk for mesothelioma, they can schedule further tests to get an outlook. This could include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound, as well as lung function tests and a chest MRI or PET scan.