Mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers irritate tissues that surround many of your organs. Cancerous cells then develop.
The most prevalent type of mesothelioma affects the lung lining (pleura). Less common types affect the abdomen's lining and the surrounding lining of the testicles.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by examining a tissue or fluid sample for cancerous cells. They may also order blood tests or imaging tests.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma affects the lining of organs throughout the body. The symptoms vary based on where the tumor is located, such as the pleura (lung liner) for pleural mesothelioma, or the peritoneum for mesothelioma of the peritoneal. Unpredictable fatigue, fever and loss of weight are common symptoms. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include difficulty breathing and pain.
The first step in determining mesothelioma involves a physical examination. Your doctor will inquire about your past exposure to asbestos, as well as any other factors that may increase the risk of mesothelioma. This includes a background of working in an industry where asbestos usage was widespread, for example manufacturing, shipbuilding or construction.
Most mesothelioma cases are diagnosed by imaging scans of either the chest or abdomen. These include X-rays, CT (computer tomography) scans and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These tests offer doctors to look inside your body, and look for mesothelioma or other lung-related tumors or stomach.
X-rays can reveal an increase in the pleura or a buildup of fluid in the lung space and chest wall, which are common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. They will also identify any fluid in the abdomen which is usually associated with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region.
Your doctor will recommend a biopsied if a mesothelioma tumor is found. When you undergo the procedure, your physician will take some of the tissue from the tumor to check for mesothelioma cells. A surgeon may insert needles into the tumor or perform a surgical procedure to extract the sample.
In the case of pleural asbestosis, doctors drain the the chest cavity by a procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves making a small incision within the abdomen or chest and using a special tube to drain the fluid. In the later stages of pleural mesothelioma, patients often have trouble breathing because of the accumulation of fluid. Your doctor may attempt to stop the buildup of fluid in your pleura by inserting an indwelling catheter, or using ultrasound-guided needle aspiration.
In rare cases, cancer may spread to other parts of the body and cause symptoms like abdominal discomfort as well as weight loss and breathing problems. These are referred to as metastatic signs because they can occur in different places than the region of the original tumor.
Diagnosis
In most cases, doctors will first conduct a physical exam to evaluate symptoms such as chest pain and coughing. Patients will be asked about their exposure to asbestos. They will then conduct imaging tests to search for tumors in the lungs and abdomen. These could include X-rays CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or the positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
Since mesothelioma is a rare cancer it can be difficult for doctors to recognize it accurately. Patients with mesothelioma can be mistakenly diagnosed with common diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia. This can delay treatment and can cause the disease to spread before it is fully diagnosed.
If doctors discover a mesothelioma-related tumor, they will require samples of fluid or tissue to test. These samples will help determine the type of cancer and whether it has spread. The biopsy is one way doctors can take samples of mesothelioma. This can be accomplished by the removal of a small portion of tissue using surgery or by inserting a needle into the chest or abdomen to drain fluid.
These samples will then be examined to determine whether they contain cancerous cells. The type of mesothelioma the doctor detects will help determine the best treatment options.
Doctors may recommend lab tests to understand the tumor. These tests can help identify particular proteins, genes or other elements that are specific to the tumor.
Doctors will also be looking to determine whether the tumor has sprang, which is called staging. This will help them determine the size of the tumor and if it has expanded to other organs.
The doctor will go over the results with you when they are all in. You will also receive an estimate of your prognosis. This is based upon the typical mesothelioma patients with similar symptoms and stages. They will then explain how the prognosis is likely to change as the tumor grows or shrinks and different treatments are used. Request a second doctor's opinion should you have any questions. This is a great way to ensure that you receive the best treatment.
Treatment
The road to a mesothelioma diagnosis is not over once you've been diagnosed. The treatment options are based on a variety of factors, including the kind of mesothelioma as well as its grade (how quickly it expands). Doctors also take into consideration the person's age, general health and other medical issues.
It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma because it is a rare disease. A combination of tests is often used to confirm a mesothelioma claim diagnosis, such as chest X-rays and CT scans. These imaging studies can reveal changes in the lung linings and abdomen, like thickening of the pleura or accumulation of fluid. Tests of blood can also be performed to determine the presence of specific proteins that are associated with mesothelioma.
A biopsy is usually performed when mesothelioma is suspected. A biopsy is carried out by inserting a needle in the affected area and then removing a small amount of tissue to be examined. A lab will examine the sample to determine if it is contaminated with cancer cells.
If a patient is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, doctors can eliminate the excess fluid through a procedure known as Thorcentesis. Patients can also undergo pleurodesis which can help prevent the buildup of fluid in the future. Pleurodesis involves inserting an incision into the chest to remove fluid. It can be combined with medications to decrease the chance that fluid builds up again.
Radiation therapy is often used in combination with chemotherapy or surgery to treat mesothelioma. Doctors can opt for traditional photon radiation, or a new method known as intensity-modulated radiation therapy, which sends the radiation at different angles to reduce healthy tissue damage.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancerous cells. It can be used before or after surgery to make the process more efficient. It can also be heated before being injected directly into the abdomen (intraperitoneal chemotherapy) for patients with mesothelioma peritoneal. Clinical trials of new treatments for mesothelioma are available to a select group of individuals. They are usually conducted at larger medical centers and could provide the most promising results. Even after treatment, mesothelioma case (Keep Reading) can recur. When it does, the treatment options will vary depending on the area where mesothelioma recurred and the treatment that was previously received.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma depends on a number of factors such as the type and stage of cancer, overall health, and age. It is also dependent on the size of mesothelioma and how well the treatment will control the symptoms.
A doctor will perform a series of tests to determine the outlook of mesothelioma patients. These tests include imaging tests (a CT scan or X-ray) as well as blood tests and a biopsy. A biopsy is the process of taking small portions of the mesothelioma law or tumor and examine it under magnifying glasses to search for cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, affects the organs' tissues such as the lining around the abdomen, chest, and testes. It is caused by asbestos exposure.
A mesothelioma diagnose can be shocking, and can trigger feelings of fear, anger, or anxiety. It is important to discuss these feelings with a trusted loved one mesothelioma group support group or mesothelioma lawyer.
The prognosis for mesothelioma can be improved if the condition is discovered in its early stages. If doctors can remove the tumor completely or a large portion of it, patients stand a better chance of a longer life.
Fitness is another factor. People who are at a higher fitness level are able to endure more rigorous mesothelioma treatment and have better survival rates. A person's blood chemistry may be a factor in their mesothelioma prognosis. The more normal a person's haemoglobin levels, white blood cell and platelet counts are, the better their prognosis.
Mesothelioma can be treated if it isn't in the point of critical. This can be done through radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgery. These treatments can reduce the chance of cancer cells growing and spreading. These treatments are not able to treat cancer. Many mesothelioma patients have exceeded their initial prognoses. Some have lived years or even a decade or more after receiving their mesothelioma diagnosis. For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould survived his mesothelioma peritoneal for over 20 years. He later died of cancer that was not related to mesothelioma.