Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that is caused by asbestos exposure is a natural-occurring cancer. The disease usually develops for decades after exposure.
Doctors treat mesothelioma with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer.
There are three kinds of mesothelioma. The type of cells that composes the tumor, and its stage affects 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.
Exposure to asbestos usually occurs when people swallow or inhale asbestos fibers. The asbestos particles stick to the lining of organs and can cause irritation, leading to tumors. Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors examine these tumors and then take an x-ray of the tissue, known as a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified by type depending on the type of cell found in the tumours. The three types of mesothelioma are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid) biphasic, sarcomatoid and epithelial. Epithelial mesothelioma, the most common form which accounts for approximately 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is 10 percent of all cases, and has a lower prognosis than the epithelial form. Biphasic mesothelioma consists of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid. It accounts for 30-40 percent of all diagnoses.
Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, abdominal pain, and breathing problems. These symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, so it is imperative to see the doctor if you experience them.
Treatment for mesothelioma may help alleviate symptoms, slow tumor growth and allow patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Palliative care is accessible for patients and helps to manage discomfort and pain.
Doctors continue to explore ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it spreads. Immunotherapy is an innovative treatment that uses your own immune system to fight cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise for a few mesothelioma patients. Patients may also participate in clinical trials, which are studies of new treatments. Mesothelioma patients are typically treated at cancer centers with specialized doctors who treat the disease.
Diagnosis
The first step to receive treatment to prolong your life span is a mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Your doctor will look over your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma you have. This is important because the three main mesothelioma cell types respond differently to treatment.
The doctor may suggest an X-ray of your chest or CT scan as the initial test. During this procedure, you lie on a table while the X-ray or CT machine creates a detailed image of your chest as well as the organs that surround it. A small dose of dye, typically iodine, is typically administered prior the procedure. This makes the tissue of your abdomen or chest lighter, making it easier to be able to. You might be asked to take a breath tests during this time.
If these tests reveal an indication of a tumor or mass that could be cancerous, your doctor could decide to take a biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of the mass or tumor either surgically or by inserting needles into the area. The specimen is then analyzed under a microscope to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.
In certain cases our specialists utilize ultrasound to identify lymph nodes that are enlarged and could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. This procedure is done as an outpatient procedure, which means you can return home on the same day.
A mesothelioma specialist will also require the stage of the cancer. The stages are determined by how much the cancer has spread, and also which kind of mesothelioma it is. Getting an accurate diagnosis by a mesothelioma doctor is the best way to make sure that you receive the right treatment.
Treatment
A patient's mesothelioma treatment program depends on how much 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 treating mesothelioma is to undergo an examination and telling your doctor about any asbestos exposure you might have had in the past. Doctors may also order blood tests or imaging scans to check for mesothelioma, and rule out any other illnesses. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans and FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography) scans and mediastinoscopy (used to look at and sample lymph nodes inside the chest cavity).
Surgery is an option for the majority of pleural mesothelioma cases. Patients can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure called video-assisted needle biopsy or CT-guided surgical thoracoscopic. Both surgeries can help reduce symptoms and increase the lifespan of patients.
Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent them from advancing. It is a common mesothelioma treatment that can prolong the life expectancy of patients. It can be administered through intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form.
Radiation is a mesothelioma therapy that can shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It can be used to treat pleural tumors at different stages, and also to ease pain and prolong the lifespan of patients.
In the final stages of mesothelioma treatment, doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to extend the life span of a patient as long as they can. This kind of treatment is known as palliative treatment. Despite the low survival rate of mesothelioma, there's still a lot of survivors. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with cancer of the peritoneal peritoneal area in 1982. He lived for 20 years before passing away of complications from another illness.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma may cause symptoms for weeks or even years prior to an official diagnosis is made. The initial symptoms are similar to those experienced by other illnesses, and it is easy to overlook or misinterpret them for minor ailments. If you do experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor immediately.
Your body's organs are wrapped in a tissue layer known as the mesothelium. This layer prevents them from colliding. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel which form the linings of many of your organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining that surrounds the lungs, but it can also occur in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around your testicles (tunica vaginalis).
The initial signs of mesothelioma may include breathlessness as well as chest pain and fatigue. Mesothelioma may also cause an accumulation of fluid in the chest wall or lungs that can lead to an effusion in the pleura. A pleural effusion could place pressure on the lungs making coughing difficult and difficult breathing.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough medical examination and a review of the patient's history. They may request chest X-rays, which can show abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining or a buildup of fluid in the chest wall. You can also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to take a closer look at your lungs or other tissues. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles in order to drain fluid from the peritoneum and pleura.
A biopsy may help determine the type of mesothelioma that is forming the tumor, and the rate at which it is growing. This can help doctors determine the best treatment options. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the three kinds of mesothelioma treatments that are standard.
Prevention
Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can minimize the chance of developing it by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding them. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer and other diseases that affect the linings of certain organs. There are several types of mesothelioma. Some are more dangerous than others. Certain types of mesothelioma are more manageable.
Asbestos is a class of minerals that are made up of thin microscopic fibers. It was used in industrial and construction products by companies who were not aware of the dangers it posed. el paso mesothelioma lawyer and veterans in blue collar jobs were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been proven to be hazardous, and you should not reside in a house or work in an old plant that has asbestos.
If you have an history of exposure to asbestos, consult with your doctor about getting regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can identify problems in your abdomen or lungs. A biopsy can also reveal the presence of a tumor in the chest or stomach. Doctors can then examine the tissue samples from that area to see whether you suffer from mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma which affects the lining of your lungs. Other kinds include pericardial, testicular or peritoneal.
After asbestos exposure it may take many years before mesothelioma develops. Even so, it can be difficult to identify. It is often mistakenly diagnosed with other illnesses or conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis or lung cancer. This can mean that you are not getting the correct treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and developing tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatments and a higher survival rate. The research involves genetic testing to determine who is most likely to develop mesothelioma.