Mesothelioma
Cancer develops when the DNA of a cell undergoes changes (mutations) that allow it to grow uncontrollably. Mutations can cause cells to expand and develop tumors throughout the body.
Mesothelioma is one of the cancers that affect the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue that lines and covers certain organs. The most prevalent type, pleural mesothelioma, develops in the lungs.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a condition where cancerous cells grow in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the membrane that covers the majority of organs in the body including the stomach and lungs. It is composed of two layers: the inner layer wraps around each organ, and the outer layer forms an area that houses fluid. Mesothelioma usually begins in the lining of these organs, however, it can also be spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones and lymph nodes.
Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma vary according to the location of the tumor as well as how much it has progressed. Many people with pleural mesothelioma experience symptoms that are related to the chest area and back, including chest pain, back pain, breathing difficulties and an unproven loss of weight.
There are also cases of abdominal pain, dry cough, or fever. The chest pain that comes with mesothelioma can be caused by the tumor pushing against nerves and other organs within the chest. This can cause inflammation, which makes it difficult to breath. Mesothelioma that has spread to the lungs or ribs may cause pain in these areas.
In rare instances, mesothelioma can recur after treatment. Mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as other diseases and can remain within the body. This is why it is crucial for a person with exposure to asbestos to tell their doctor about any previous exposure to asbestos and request a referral to a
mesothelioma specialist.
Mesothelioma is a serious condition however it is treated. There are options for surgical removal of cancerous tissue and chemotherapy to shrink or kill the remaining cancerous cells. These treatments can extend the life span of a patient and increase their quality of life. A person with peritoneal mesothelioma will likely receive a combination of surgery as well as chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat the cancer. Peritoneal drainage can be used to prevent abdominal pain and fluid accumulation. In some instances doctors might even suggest palliative care to improve a patient's quality of life and improve their treatment for their illness. These services include home health for example, aiding with daily activities or supplying strong painkillers.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult condition to detect. Doctors can identify the symptoms and conduct a physical exam, but
mesothelioma settlement requires more specific tests. The most important test for diagnosing mesothelioma is a biopsy. The procedure involves the collection of tissues or fluids to be examined under a microscope. Doctors can also make use of various imaging tests, including chest X-rays, CT scan and MRI. These tests can be used to identify abnormalities or lumps in the body.
The first step is to perform an X-ray scan or CT scan of the affected area. These tests provide doctors with a clear image of the lung or stomach to identify any abnormal growths or buildup of fluid. Depending on the results, doctors can then perform more specialized tests to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.
A doctor may also test for mesothelioma in an undiluted blood sample.
Mesothelioma cells are difficult to differentiate from normal cells, which is why mesothelioma physicians often order several blood tests to monitor the cancer's progression and response to treatment. A few of the most frequently requested blood tests include the CA 125 and the Mesomark test.
The correct diagnosis is essential for finding the best mesothelioma treatment plan. A mesothelioma specialist will recommend the most effective treatment plan for the specific needs of a patient.
In some cases, a doctor may perform an operation to ensure a mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly. During the procedure doctors make a tiny incision in the abdomen or chest and remove a piece of tumor to be tested. If the biopsy results show that a patient is suffering from malignant mesothelioma, a doctor can determine the type of cell and how far the cancer has been able to spread.
A surgical biopsy can also be used to determine if a
mesothelioma claim has a mixed type one, which is the most dangerous and has a worse prognosis. In a mixed mesothelioma, the tumor is composed of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. The sarcomatoid cancerous cells are more difficult to remove surgically and are usually more aggressive, resulting in worse outcomes for patients. Patients are often offered the combination treatment to treat their cancer and improve their prognosis.
Treatment
The treatment options for mesothelioma are based on your health history and the stage of cancer. Mesothelioma can be in its earliest stages (Stages I and II) or advanced (Stage III or IV). Your doctor will determine the stage of mesothelioma looking at the results of any tests you have had. These tests will tell your doctor whether the cancer has spread to other areas of your body.
X-rays, CT scans and MRIs provide doctors with detailed information about your organs and tissues. The information can help doctors to identify signs of mesothelioma or other diseases, like lung damage. Your doctor may also perform blood and urine tests to check for possible mesothelioma symptoms.
A biopsy is a procedure in which tissue or fluid is removed from your body in order to check for mesothelioma. The samples are checked under a microscope for indications of cancer. A biopsy can be performed in many ways that include a needle biopsy, or an open biopsy.
If mesothelioma already has spread the surgery and chemotherapy are the usual treatments. Chemotherapy drugs kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing. A combination of pemetrexed and cisplatin is the first-line therapy for pleural mesothelioma. Doctors sometimes administer chemotherapy directly into the chest cavity to treat pleural mesothelioma, or inject it into the abdomen to treat peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma patients often experience discomfort due to their tumors and from their chemotherapy or surgeries. Pain medication can help to ease the pain. Many mesothelioma treatment centers have dietitians on staff who can help you with your diet prior to, during and after treatment.
For patients with late-stage mesothelioma, palliative treatment can aid in reducing discomfort. This may include physical therapy that can help you move around more easily and lessen the pain caused by mesothelioma. This could also include a variety of treatments such as topical and oral pain relievers, steroids to reduce inflammation, and topical or oral pain relief.
It is important to learn as you can about mesothelioma and the treatment options available. This will help you ask questions and make informed choices. You will also benefit from a community of family members and close friends to assist you in managing your daily life and deal with illness.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma can be found in the cells that make up the mesothelium. The mesothelium membrane protects and covers various organs in the body, like the lungs and chest cavity. It is comprised of two layers. The inner layer wraps organs, while the outer layer forms the sac. The fluid in the mesothelium helps organs move more easily. Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor which means that the cells can expand and destroy surrounding tissue. They may also spread, or metastasize to other areas of the body. Non-cancerous or benign tumors are a group of cells that don't spread.
The prognosis for mesothelioma varies between patients. It is contingent on the patient's age and general health, as well as the type of mesothelioma as well as the degree of its progression at the time of diagnosis. Patients who are diagnosed earlier have a better chance of survival. It also depends on the extent of the cancer as well as whether it is surgically removed.
Surgery can often improve the prognosis of a patient. If the cancer has not spread, doctors may be able to remove all or some of the mesothelium and lung. However, if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, mesothelioma treatment options are limited and the outlook is less favorable.
In addition to surgery, other treatments may be utilized to treat symptoms or slow the growth of cancerous cells. Chemotherapy, for example, utilizes cytotoxic chemical agents that destroy cancerous cells. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments such as radiation.
Because mesothelioma is a rare cancer, most doctors and oncologists have no experience in treating it. Patients should seek a second opinion and consider travelling to other states or cities to see mesothelioma specialists. They should also take part in clinical trials to receive the latest treatment.
Survival rates for mesothelioma are determined by statistics that are collected every five years. These statistics are called relative survival rates. They show how long a person may survive compared to other patients who suffer from the same cancer at the same stage of diagnosis. They are based on the type of mesothelioma, the stage at which it was diagnosed and how well the treatment plan worked.
