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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity and lungs and, in some cases, the lining of the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the principal cause of mesothelioma.

asbestos lawsuit fibers get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This causes cells to transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cells to change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. Most cases of mesothelioma are found in the lung. However, it could also occur in the lining of the abdomen, heart and testicles.

The most frequent mesothelioma-related symptoms are breathlessness coughing, chest pain and chest pain. Some patients also suffer from abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to identify in the early stages particularly when mesothelioma still a relatively young disease. It could take years or even decades after exposure to asbestos litigation for mesothelioma-related symptoms to show up.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam and a medical history. To determine the severity of the symptoms the doctor can order imaging tests and blood tests. These scans can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography).

X-rays may reveal a mass or fluid that is not normal in the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two main kinds. Around 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid.

Most patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and trouble breathing. People with pleural mesothelioma may suffer from an abnormal heart sound, a condition called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.

The most reliable method to diagnose mesothelioma is to take a tissue sample, or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma will determine how a doctor manages the disease. For instance when a patient has pericardial mesothelioma, the doctor may drain excess fluid with a procedure called pleurodesis or install an indwelling pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.

Diagnosis

The cancerous mesothelioma is found in the organ's linings. The disease most commonly occurs in the lung (pleura) however it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).

The signs of mesothelioma may be noticed between 10 and 50 years after the first exposure. Because of this time period of latency many patients are mistakenly diagnosed. It is often mistaken for other, less serious diseases, such as the flu or pneumonia. This could result in delays in treatment, which can lower a patient's chances of surviving.

Those who suspect mesothelioma should see their doctor as soon as possible. During this initial visit, doctors will examine a patient's complete medical history to identify signs and any other factors that could make them more susceptible to mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos and asbestos settlement, as well as the nature and duration of exposure.

The doctor will then request imaging tests for the chest and abdomen to look for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X rays, CT scans and MRIs can all show changes in the lungs, like pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also tell if mesothelioma has spread to other organs of the body.

A doctor may also order an analysis of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma. They may also perform a procedure called a thoracentesis, which involves the removal of a small amount of the fluid surrounding the lungs to look for cancer cells.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, a biopsy will be taken to check a small piece of the tumor to detect cancerous cells. This can be done via VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or through an instrument that guides the needle through the aid of a CT scan. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are the most effective for the patient. This can include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Certain patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer type of treatment can enhance the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissues which line and protect organs, such as the lungs, stomach (peritoneal) or heart, or testicles. It is impossible to cure mesothelioma but treatment can help manage symptoms.

Your doctor will inquire about your health history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your asbestos exposure, as asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos litigation fibers to get trapped in the tissues of the chest cavity the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). This can cause inflammation over time and may change normal cells into cancerous cells. Mesothelioma can be identified using blood tests and imaging tests.

Your healthcare provider will use an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue and determine if you have an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). Your doctor will recommend an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions (PET) to obtain detailed images. They will also conduct a needle biopsy in order to collect a sample of the affected tissue.

A pathologist, also known as a mesothelioma specialist, will look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to find cancerous cell and determine the type. To establish the diagnosis the doctor will stain the sample using a dye which shows up when certain types of protein are present. They will then employ a specific method to obtain a closer look at the tissue under microscope.

It is sometimes difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the mesothelioma-causing cells are similar to other types of cells in the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the diagnosis with other tests. These include a blood test to determine levels of fibulin-3 as well as soluble mesothelin-related peptide.

Your healthcare provider will decide the best treatment plan for mesothelioma depending on the type of cancer you have and its stage. The most popular mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma has reached an an advanced stage, you may also receive palliative care to ease discomfort and other symptoms.

Prognosis

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

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or consumed and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most common mesothelioma types are pleural (which forms on the linings of the lungs, chest cavity, and abdomen) mesothelioma.

The doctor diagnoses mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also suggest a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is when you take small amounts of tissue to be tested. Doctors can then compare the biopsy samples to a database to determine the most likely mesothelioma cell type. This information can be used to predict the longevity of a patient with mesothelioma and their treatment plan.

The three mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial and epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells, and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma forms at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60% to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.

It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos (from the Frozenllama blog). Therefore, many patients do not be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and have regular checkups.

During these visits, doctors examine for signs of asbestos exposure such as scarring on the lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They can also perform a simple blood check to determine the health of the patient. If the results indicate that a patient's risk of developing mesothelioma is high, they can schedule additional tests to determine an estimate of the prognosis for mesothelioma. This includes imaging tests such as X radiations, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well lung function tests, a chest MRI, or PET scan.