Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is most often found in the lung lining (pleura) or the stomach's lining (peritoneum). Mesothelioma is more common in those who have been exposed to asbestos.

Doctors treat mesothelioma with radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. They also try to control symptoms and prevent complications. They may also opt for immunotherapy.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, a type of cancer, develops when the cells that line organs in the human body multiply. The most frequent type is pleural mesothelioma which forms in the lining of the chest cavity (pleura). Other types include peritoneal and testicular.

Mesothelioma occurs when a cancerous cell undergoes genetic changes and then begins to multiply uncontrollably. The cancer cells can expand throughout the body, eventually resulting in the formation of a tumor. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is often associated with mesothelioma. The people who have been exposed to asbestos are at the highest risk of developing the cancer. Exposure has been linked to numerous industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing and construction. Mesothelioma usually is diagnosed in older individuals who were exposed to asbestos in large quantities for many years before it was first controlled.

The symptoms of pleural cancer may not appear for several years after exposure. The first signs like fatigue or breathing problems, are usually non-specific. Patients will eventually experience chest pain or a painful splinting sensation due to the fluid that is circulating in the pleural cavity.

A medical history and physical exam are essential to diagnose mesothelioma of the pleural region. Doctors can also order imaging studies and blood tests to determine if the patient has mesothelioma. Imaging tests include a CT or MRI scan of the chest, which shows lung lining and any liquid in the pleural space.

The most effective way to improve mesothelioma prognosis is early diagnosis and aggressive treatment. Multimodal therapy is a method of treatment. This includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat the cancer and prevent recurrence.

Patients can also reduce their risk of developing complications by implementing lifestyle changes and choosing a specialist mesothelioma doctor. Patients can also request clinical trials to benefit from new treatments.

Surgery is the most commonly used treatment for mesothelioma. It can remove the pleura as well as part of the diaphragm depending on the location where the tumor is situated. After a surgery doctors can administer radiation therapy to prevent the occurrence of recurrences and to ease pain. Mesothelioma may spread to lymph nodes. This is why a mesothelioma doctor is crucial.

Symptoms

A lot of mesothelioma's early symptoms mimic common ailments like pneumonia or the flu. This is why people often ignore or miss-diagnose them. As the disease progresses it could lead to more severe signs and symptoms.

The type and location of a tumor will determine its symptoms. The most common type, pleural mesothelioma, is found in the lung and chest. It can cause chest and lung pain, coughing and difficulty breathing. Other mesothelioma types can be found in the abdomen or testicles. These tumors can cause abdominal pain, swelling of fluids and weight loss.

Workers exposed to asbestos in the workplace, which includes industrial workers, construction workers, veterans and maritime workers, should take regular medical treatment. A doctor can determine if asbestos exposure was the cause of symptoms like mesothelioma or other cancers in someone close to them or their loved ones.

The symptoms can differ greatly depending on the individual. Mesothelioma usually isn't diagnosed until the disease has advanced. To diagnose the disease doctors may request samples of tissue or biopsy to check for cancerous cells. They may also order imaging tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI to determine the cause of symptoms.

Because mesothelioma can trigger lung problems, doctors might perform a lung function test to assess breath capacity. They may also use a procedure called thoracentesis to remove the accumulation of fluid around the lung. This procedure can ease chest pressure and aid in mesothelioma diagnosis.

Other tests can test the levels of asbestos-related chemicals in blood, which are used to determine the progression of mesothelioma. A pulmonologist may also perform an chest radiograph to determine if there is fluid accumulated in the lungs. The pulmonologist may also drain the fluid with needles (called an pleural effusion) and send it to a lab for it to be examined for mesothelioma cell. Other tests such as an ultrasound scan or CAT scan can help determine the extent the tumor.

Diagnosis

The most precise method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves a biopsy. Through this procedure, doctors remove tissues or fluids to be examined under microscope. Doctors use other tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine if cancer has spread.

The mesothelioma (telegra.ph) cancer isn't easy to identify. Many people mistake the symptoms for other diseases and suffer with them for months before seeking a medical professional. This means that by the time a mesothelioma is discovered it may already advanced to a later stage.

In mesothelioma screening tests, doctors take an X-ray of the abdomen or chest to look for lumps and swelling. If the results suggest that a patient could have mesothelioma in their body, they may recommend further tests to diagnose the disease. This could include a CT scan, PET scan or an MRI scan.

A CT scan is a 3-D image of organs or other structures within the body that is created by computers and X-rays. Contrast dye is used to highlight the tissues and assist doctors in identifying abnormalities. A CT scan can reveal if mesothelioma has spread to a specific part of the chest wall or the lungs. It can also reveal the size of the tumor. The CT scan will show whether the mesothelioma tumor has been able to spread to the abdomen or chest.

MRIs and PET scanners produce detailed images using magnetic fields and radio waves. Unlike CT scans, MRIs and PET scans are not a result of radiation.

Blood tests can be used to test for specific blood-borne proteins that are associated with mesothelioma. One example is the Mesomark test, which looks for a protein called mesothelin receptor proteins that are soluble (SMRP). If the level is high, it may be an indication that mesothelioma is been found in the lining of the lung.

A mesothelioma biopsy is the only way to definitively determine the presence of cancerous cells within the pleural lining in the chest or abdomen. After numbing the area with local anesthesia, doctors can utilize a needle to draw some of the fluid or tissue for examination under the microscope. This is possible through video-assisted surgery that allows direct examination of the pleura and biopsy, or by the use of a CT scan guided needle.

Treatment

The type of mesothelioma and the general health of the patient will determine the best way to treat it. People who are younger and in generally better health tend to have a longer life expectancy with mesothelioma treatment. Mesothelioma experts can give advice on how to best live with mesothelioma, and help patients maximize the quality of life they live.

The first step in mesothelioma therapy is to determine what kind of the cancer the patient suffers. This is accomplished by analyzing their medical records and asking them about their asbestos exposure history and family history of mesothelioma.

There are three kinds of mesothelioma compensation, epithelial, mixed and sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma. The type of mesothelioma could be determined by the location of the tumors in the body, and whether or not they've metastasized to other parts of your body.

Some patients with mesothelioma may require surgery as part their treatment plan. The procedure can be minimally invasive, and involves inserting an incision into the abdomen or chest to collect a sample of tissue to be tested. Patients who aren't suitable for open surgery may have an indwelling pleural drain inserted into their chest. This can be drained several times a week.

Mesothelioma is treated with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. In certain cases, it may also include immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a newer treatment option and involves injecting patients with immunosuppressive medicines to stop the body from attacking cancerous cells.

Multimodality therapy is another standard treatment. This treatment method targets the cancer from multiple angles, thereby increasing a patient's chance of living longer with the cancer.

Palliative care is a method of treatment that can be used to treat some patients with mesothelioma. This can include medication to control symptoms and pain such as nausea, fatigue and breathing difficulties. A mesothelioma specialist can discuss the palliative care treatment plan that is suited to the needs of the patient.

Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma ought to talk to a mesothelioma doctor about research trials. Only by participating in research trials can a patient learn about the latest mesothelioma treatment options. Clinical trials for mesothelioma test new treatments to determine their effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.