Mesothelioma Asbestos legal (www.stes.tyc.edu.tw) Lung Cancer

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

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

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to change and develop into mesothelioma tumors. Most cases of mesothelioma are found in the lungs. However, it can also happen in the abdominal lining as well as the testicles, heart and lungs.

The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. Patients may also feel abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to diagnose in the beginning particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new disease. The signs of mesothelioma might not manifest for years or even decades following asbestos exposure.

A physical exam and a medical history of the patient is the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. A doctor might ask for blood tests or imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).

X-rays can show an unusual mass or fluid in the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is and the type of mesothelioma. The two most common mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up around 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is less common than epithelioid.

Most people with pleural cancer have a nonproductive, painful cough and breathing difficulties. Patients with pleural mesothelioma might suffer from an abnormal heart sound and a condition known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum.

The most accurate way to determine if mesothelioma has been diagnosed is to take a tissue sample or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will determine how a doctor treats the illness. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer, the doctor will drain the excess fluid through the procedure called pleurodesis, or insert a pleural catheter in order to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

The mesothelioma cancerous form is found in the linings of organs. The majority of cases occur in the lungs, but it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes.

The symptoms of mesothelioma could be seen between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Because of this time period of latency it is possible for patients to be incorrectly diagnosed. It is often misinterpreted as other, less serious illnesses, like pneumonia or the flu. This mistake could result in a delay in treatment that can reduce a patient's chance of survival.

If you suspect mesothelioma, see their doctor as soon as they can. During this initial visit, doctors will review the patient's entire medical history to look for symptoms and any factors that may make them more susceptible to mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos, and also the type and duration of exposure.

The doctor will then order imaging tests of the chest and abdomen to check for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays CT scans, and MRIs can all show changes in the lungs, including pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also show if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

A doctor may also request an analysis of blood to determine whether the patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma. They can also perform a procedure called a thoracentesis. It involves the removal of a small amount of the lungs' fluid to search for cancerous cells.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed then a biopsy is taken to look at small portions of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle guided CT scan is a method to carry out this procedure. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are best for the patient. This can include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients might also opt to take part in immunotherapy. This newer type of treatment can enhance the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues which line and protect organs like the lungs, stomach (peritoneal) or heart or testicles. It is not possible to cure mesothelioma, but treatment may help control symptoms.

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

Your healthcare provider will employ a chest X-ray to see changes in the lung tissue and determine whether you have an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). The doctor will recommend MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain detailed images of the affected area. They will also do an incisional needle biopsy to collect an in-situ sample of the affected tissue.

A pathologist, also known as a mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue with a magnifying glass to identify cancerous cells and determine their type. The pathologist will use dyes to stain tissue samples in order to determine the type of cancer. This dye is visible when certain types are present. They will then use a specific method to obtain an even closer view of the tissue under microscope.

Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because the mesothelioma cells look similar to other kinds of cell in the body. Your healthcare team will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. These tests include a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3, or soluble mesothelin related peptide.

Your medical team will determine mesothelioma treatments based on the kind of cancer you have and how advanced it is. The most popular mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is in an advanced stage you could also receive palliative care to ease discomfort and other signs.

Prognosis

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

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or ingested and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma forms are mesothelioma pleural (which forms on the lung linings or chest cavity) and abdomen) mesothelioma.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, lab tests and X-rays. They may also suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking small amounts of tissue for testing. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples to databases to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can be used to predict the longevity of a patient with mesothelioma, as well as their treatment plan.

The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid, epithelial and epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma type develops at an individual rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.

It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos legal. Therefore, many patients do not receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos exposure must be reported to a physician and the victims must undergo regular checks.

During these visits, doctors will look for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring on lung and other respiratory issues. They can also do simple blood tests to determine the health of the patient. If the results indicate that a patient's risk of developing mesothelioma is very high, they can arrange for further tests to receive mesothelioma-related prognosis. This may include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as lung function tests, and an chest MRI or PET scan.