Mesothelioma – What is Mesothelioma?
There are many conditions that can cause chest discomfort or breath shortness. To determine if mesothelioma is the cause, it is crucial to rule out other conditions.
Doctors do this by taking samples of fluid around the stomach or around the lung. They may also use tests such as a CT, MRI or a PET scan.
Causes
Mesothelioma can be found in the chest’s tissues (pleural esothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal esothelioma) or the heart (peritoneal esothelioma). The primary cause of mesothelioma lies in exposure to asbestos which was once widely used in construction, shipbuilding and other industries. The exposure to asbestos that causes mesothelioma typically happens through the inhalation of tiny fibres, which can cause irritation and damage to the tissue and cause the development of abnormal tumours. Mesothelioma typically develops between 20 and 50 years after exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a group minerals consisting of thin, long fibers that are able to be separated into smaller particles. These fibres can easily enter the lungs where they can be inhaled. They then can be lodged in the pleura, the lining around the lungs. These can irritate lungs over time and cause tumors that are abnormal to form. Mesothelioma may also result from exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources for instance, asbestos-containing fibres that workers ingested on their clothing and gear or from materials that are contaminated, like asbestos-containing insulation.
Shortness of breath, fatigue and coughing are typical symptoms for mesothelioma patients. Other signs include chest pain, swelling, difficulty swallowing, and a painful rash that is similar to hives. Mesothelioma is a rare condition in the United States, is diagnosed between 2,500 and 3,000 times per year.
The most common type of mesothelioma starts in the pleura, which covers the chest wall and lungs. Other mesothelioma types may be found in the peritoneum, which connects the stomach, intestines and testicles.
A specialist for mesothelioma may suggest tests like xrays, CT scans, or MRI to determine the presence of disease. A mesothelioma specialist surgical thoracic surgeon, or a medical oncologist might perform a procedure, chemotherapy or radiation treatment. There are a variety of palliative treatments available to relieve pain and other signs. Doctors can also assist with the diagnosis of mesothelioma by examining symptoms and offering suggestions on managing them. They may also refer you to an expert if needed. They can refer you to an expert in the field of respiratory medicine to assess your symptoms and investigate the way you breathe.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma may differ depending on the type. This is because the types of mesothelioma can be classified based on the location and spread of the cancer.
Mesotheliomas can develop in the lining of the lungs (pleura) or the heart’s lining (pericardium) or the abdominal lining (peritoneum). The symptoms of mesothelioma are chest pain, difficulty breathing, fluid accumulation and weight loss.
Asbestos fibres can cause irritation of the pleura (lung liner) and abnormal cells to develop. Over time, these cells can grow in uncontrollable amounts and become tumors. Mesothelioma can also affect other body parts that have similar linings. This includes the abdominal cavity as well as reproductive organs.
Symptoms can take longer to show, which can result in a delayed diagnosis. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after it has advanced and is life-threatening. This is in part because mesothelioma sufferers have a latency time of 20 to 40 years between exposure and the time when the cancer begins to manifest.
There are three treatment options for mesothelioma, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The doctor will advise you on the option that is most suitable for your particular situation. The type of treatment depends on the stage of mesothelioma or how far the cancer has spread.
Surgery: Doctors will eliminate any cancerous tissue during a surgical procedure. They can also combine surgery to treat mesothelioma. The type of surgery used depends on the location and extent of mesothelioma.
Radiation: Doctors may use high-energy X-rays or other forms of radiation to kill mesothelioma cells or stop them from growing. This kind of therapy may be administered externally or internally.
Chemotherapy: Doctors might prescribe chemotherapy pills or liquids to shrink cancer cells or stop the spread of cancer. Chemotherapy can be used by itself or in conjunction with other treatments, like surgery and radiation.
If you or someone you love has mesothelioma, it is important to see an expert as soon as you can. Bring our no-cost Symptoms Checklist to your appointment, and speak to your physician about your symptoms.
Diagnosis
In the past, doctors used different tests to determine mesothelioma. These tests include a lab test, physical examination and imaging scans. They will also review the patient’s medical as well as job history to identify any asbestos exposure signs.
what is malignant mesothelioma to diagnosing mesothelioma is to have a physical exam by a physician. This involves looking for lumps, and asking about the person’s symptoms. The doctor will also consider the type of mesothelioma such as epithelial or sarcomatoid. These kinds are based on the cells that are found in every type of cancer.
Mesothelioma is difficult to detect. It usually affects the Pleura, which is a thin layer of tissues that line the lungs and chest cavity. It can also affect the peritoneum which is a thin layer that surrounds the stomach, intestines and lungs. Breathlessness, coughing and abdominal pain are just a few possible symptoms. In certain cases, mesothelioma could expand to other organs including the heart.
A biopsy is the most effective method to determine if mesothelioma is present. A doctor removes mesothelioma tissue and sends it to a laboratory for testing. The lab tests for mesothelioma and other cancer types.
If the biopsy results are positive, doctors will examine the cancer cells to determine what kind of mesothelioma is it. This helps them select the most appropriate treatment.
Other tests could include an X-ray or CT scan to check for asbestos in the lung liner, calcium deposits or signs of mesothelioma, such as an effusion in the pleural cavity. They can also run blood tests to see if there are any abnormalities such as anemia, or low levels of certain antibodies that indicate mesothelioma.
Other imaging tests include an MRI or PET scan, which employs radio waves and magnets to produce precise images of the body’s soft tissues. They can aid in the identification of mesothelioma that has spread to the lungs and other areas, such as the diaphragm (a dome-shaped muscle which separates the chest and abdomen). They can also tell how far the cancer has spread. They may also test the lymph nodes for evidence of mesothelioma. Doctors can perform this by inserting a scope into the windpipe — or trachea. This procedure, called mediastinoscopy, is performed under the influence of sedation.
Treatment
The cancer is extremely difficult to treat because it usually develops later in the process and is widespread when discovered. The treatment aims to minimize symptoms and improve quality of life. A mesothelioma expert can help people find the right treatment program for them.
A mesothelioma specialist will have an entire team of specialists working together to provide care. The team could include a general practitioner who is responsible for the overall health of a patient as well as a respiratory doctor who investigates symptoms and treats lung diseases as well as an interventional radiologist who utilizes imaging scans for guiding needles or other instruments for draining fluids or removing tissue to diagnose, a surgeon who performs surgery or other operations to treat lung or chest and a medical oncologist that prescribes drugs such as chemotherapy.
If mesothelioma is detected, further tests may be carried out to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This could involve a CT scan or MRI, FDG-positron emissions tomography (to look for the movement mesothelioma tumor cells) and a biopsied sample taken from a tissue sample that was removed during surgery.
A patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma is likely to undergo a surgical procedure to reduce breathlessness due to the accumulation of fluid. This might require a procedure known as VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery), in which some of the lining of the lung and chest wall are removed to lessen the fluid build up. In some cases it is possible to have a tube placed into the chest to drain the fluid frequently at home.
Benign mesothelioma is not typically require surgery. Instead, doctors might opt to use palliative treatments like painkillers to ease symptoms or try other treatments that don’t involve surgery.
Because mesothelioma has a low incidence new treatments are being evaluated in clinical trials. It is important for people with mesothelioma to take part in these trials as much as possible, since they could lead to better treatments. However the decision to participate in a trial should not be taken lightly, as the risks associated with treatment are usually extremely severe. This is why it is vital for mesothelioma patients or their families to discuss their options with a mesothelioma expert.
