Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure is a naturally occurring cancer. The disease typically develops over the course of years after exposure.
Doctors treat mesothelioma with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer.
There are three types. mesa mesothelioma attorneys and type of cells that make up the tumor influence the prognosis.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that develops in the mesothelium thin layer of tissue linings organs within the body. It is caused by exposure to asbestos which is a group of fibrous minerals.
Asbestos exposure occurs when individuals swallow or inhale stray asbestos fibers. The asbestos particles stick to the lining of organs and cause irritation, which leads to tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be made by doctors after they examine the tumors and take a tissue sample also known as a biopsy. Mesothelioma can be classified according to the kind of cells are located in the tumors. The three mesothelioma types are epithelial (also known as sarcomatoid), biphasic and sarcomatoid. Epithelial mesothelioma is by far the most common type and accounts for 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is 10 percent of all cases and has a poorer prognosis than the epithelial type. Biphasic Mesothelioma can be described as a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones. It accounts for 30 to 40 percent of all diagnoses.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathing difficulties or chest pain, or pain in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to those experienced by other diseases, so it is imperative to see your doctor if you suffer from them.
Treatment for mesothelioma may improve symptoms, slow tumour growth and allow patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Patients can also receive palliative care, which can help manage pain and discomfort.
Doctors continue to investigate ways to treat mesothelioma and how it can spread. Immunotherapy is a novel treatment that relies on your own immune system to fight the cancer. This is an experimental treatment that has shown promise for certain mesothelioma patients. Patients can also participate in clinical trials, which are studies on new therapies. Mesothelioma patients are typically treated in specialist cancer centers where they can access doctors who have experience treating the condition.
Diagnosis
The first step to receiving treatment to prolong your life span is a mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from. This information is important because the three mesothelioma cell types respond differently to treatment.
The first test that your doctor might recommend is an X-ray of your chest or CT scan. During the procedure, you'll lie on a table as the X-ray machine or CT scan generates a clear image of your chest and the surrounding organs. A small dose of dye, usually iodine, is typically administered prior to the procedure. This makes the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, which makes it easier to observe. During this period, you might be asked to perform an exercise to test your breathing.
If these tests reveal the possibility of a tumor that is cancerous or mass your doctor will likely order the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing the mass or tumor either surgically or by inserting needles into the area. The sample is examined under a microscope for mesothelioma.
Our doctors can employ ultrasound to find lymph nodes that are enlarged that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is referred to as endobronchial ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. It is performed on an outpatient basis so you can go home the same day.
A mesothelioma specialist will also need to know the stage of the disease. The stages are determined based on how the cancer has spread and what type of mesothelioma you have. Getting an accurate diagnosis from a mesothelioma expert is the best way to make sure that you get the right treatment.
Treatment
The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients depends on how far the disease has advanced and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients usually receive multimodal therapy which is a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.
The first step to treat mesothelioma involves undergoing an examination of the body and informing the doctor about any previous exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also order scans of the blood and imaging to check for mesothelioma, and rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography) scans and mediastinoscopy (used to look at and sample lymph nodes inside the chest cavity).
Surgery is a viable option for most pleural mesothelioma cases. A patient may undergo a minimally-invasive procedure referred to as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can reduce symptoms and increase the patient's life expectancy.
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop their growth. It is a common mesothelioma treatment, and can prolong the time of treatment. It is administered through intravenous drip (IV) or pill form.
Radiation therapy is another mesothelioma cure which can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors. It is used to treat pleural cancer at different stages, as well as to alleviate pain and extend the lives of patients.
In the last stages of mesothelioma patients, doctors typically concentrate on controlling symptoms and extending the life of a patient to the maximum extent possible. This type of treatment is called palliative treatment. Despite the poor survival rate of mesothelioma, there's still a lot of survivors. For example, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, lived another 20 years before dying from complications of another illness.
Symptoms
Many people suffering from mesothelioma show symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. The early symptoms are similar to those caused by other illnesses and it's easy to overlook or misinterpret them for minor ailments. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor right away.
The organs in your body are surrounded by a layer called the mesothelium. This layer keeps them from rubbing against one against one another. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel that make up the lining of many of your organs. The lining around your lung is the most frequent area where mesothelioma first appears. But, it can develop in the heart (pericardium) as well as in your abdomen (peritoneum), or the surrounding lining of your testicles (tunica vulginalis).
The initial symptoms of mesothelioma can be fatigue, chest pain, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall and lungs leading to an edema called pleural. A pleural effusion can put pressure on the lungs, causing difficulty breathing and cough.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough medical exam and examining the patient's medical history. They may order chest X-rays which may reveal signs of abnormalities like thickening the lung lining, or the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall. They may also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to take an in-depth look at your lung or other tissues within your body. They may also drain the fluid that collects in the pleura or peritoneum with an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure.
A biopsy can assist in determining the type of mesothelioma that is forming the tumor and how it is growing. This will help doctors determine the best treatment options. The three options of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the three different types of standard mesothelioma treatments.
Prevention
Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can reduce your risk by avoiding individuals who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding the area. Exposure to asbestos could cause lung cancer or other illnesses that affect organ linings. There are many kinds of mesothelioma, and some are more serious than others. Some types are easier to treat than others.
Asbestos is a class of minerals that contain tiny microscopic fibers. Manufacturers used it in industrial and construction products, without knowing about its dangers. Blue-collar workers and veterans were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been found to be dangerous and you shouldn't live in an old factory or work there.
Discuss with your doctor regular screenings, especially if you have an antecedent background of asbestos exposure. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can detect problems in your abdomen or lungs. A biopsy can identify a tumor on the stomach lining or chest. Doctors can then analyze the tissue samples from that area to see whether you suffer from mesothelioma. There is a possibility that you have pleural mesothelioma that affects the lining of your lungs. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma testicular mesothelioma or pericardial melot.
It can take a long time for mesothelioma cancer to develop following exposure to asbestos. Even if it does, it can be difficult to identify. It often is misdiagnosed as a different illness or condition like lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This could prevent you from receiving the appropriate treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis, and are developing tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatments and a greater survival rate. Genetic testing is used to determine those most likely to develop the disease.