Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer
Malignant mesothelioma can develop in the thin layer of tissue that lines certain organs. The most frequent type of mesothelioma starts in the lungs and is called pleural msothelioma. Less common cases begin in the abdomen, and are referred to as peritoneal msothelioma.
People who are exposed to asbestos may develop mesothelioma if asbestos fibers are absorbed into the stomach or lungs, and cause irritation. It can take 50 years or more for the symptoms to show.
Signs and symptoms
The mesothelioma-related cancerous cells are found in the tissues that line the lungs, stomach and other organs. Mesothelioma patients may suffer symptoms like discomfort, shortness of breath and fever, fluid accumulation and weight loss. The symptoms may vary based on the type of cancer and its stage. They also depend on the location of the tumor and its progression.
Because mesothelioma is rare, doctors may be unable to identify it. The disease can be long-lasting and symptoms can look or feel similar to less serious conditions such as pneumonia. Therefore, it is important for asbestos exposure victims to consult their physician if they notice any symptoms that are not normal or persistent. It is also important to let their doctor know of any history of
asbestos litigation exposure.
The most commonly reported pleural mesothelioma symptoms are chest pain, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. As the mesothelioma expands and the lungs become inflamed, the symptoms may worsen. In severe cases, they can even cause fluid accumulation in the lungs and chest wall which causes patients to feel pain in their chest when breathing.
In addition to mesothelioma, people may have abdominal pains or have difficulty swallowing. Some sufferers may experience reduced appetite and weight loss due to these symptoms too. The toxins produced by mesothelioma can also affect kidneys, making them decrease their capacity to function properly.
Depending on the mesothelioma type doctors may recommend blood tests or imaging scans to look for any abnormalities. These include CT (computer-tomography) scanners and MRIs (magnetic imaging) and PETs (positron emission scans). The results of these tests will aid doctors in determining if there are other conditions and determine the most effective treatment option for mesothelioma sufferers.
Chest X-rays can also be useful in identifying mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can cause the chest cavity and lungs to appear cloudy or discolored. A doctor may perform a procedure called VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic stosectomy) to decrease inflammation caused by the accumulation of fluid, improve breathlessness, and take tissue samples to test.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is an asbestos cancer that is found in the tissues of organs like the lungs and abdomen. It is a rare form of cancer, but people exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing it. It is crucial to consult your physician to confirm the diagnosis.
A mesothelioma diagnosis is based on the combination of physical examinations, blood tests and imaging tests. These tests are usually performed in a clinic or hospital and may include an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. X-rays are a way to see the body's structures including your chest and abdomen. They can reveal a buildup between the lungs, chest wall and a fluid known as pleural effusion. They may also show the presence of a mass or lump in the abdomen, chest or any other part of the body.
MRI and CT scans can give more precise images of your organs than an X-ray and can aid doctors determine the extent and location of any mesothelioma. These scans will also reveal the extent to which mesothelioma spreads to other parts of the body.
A biopsy is another important diagnostic instrument. In this process the small amount of tissue or fluid is removed and examined for cancerous cells growth. The most common mesothelioma biopsies are fine needle aspiration and the surgical biopsy. If other tests are not conclusive, or if your symptoms suggest that the cancer is in your lungs or chest cavity, a more aggressive biopsy might be suggested.
The more invasive procedures used to determine pericardial or peritoneal mesothelioma involve inserting a tube with an electronic camera into the abdomen or chest. A surgeon may use this to take the tissue sample or the fluid for testing, and may also perform VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) it is a kind of keyhole surgery.
Your doctor can also order blood tests and other medical tests in addition to the mesothelioma test to determine the efficiency of your organs. Your doctor will conduct an entire physical exam and will examine your lymph nodes, heart and other organs that could be affected by mesothelioma. They will also ask about your past
asbestos claim exposure as well as any previous ailments or treatments you've had.
Treatment
The type of mesothelioma and stage determine the treatment. The stage of cancer is determined by many factors, including the speed at which the tumor grows and spreads. It also depends on how long symptoms take to appear and whether the cancer has been able to spread.
People are more likely to develop mesothelioma if they have certain risk factors. One of the most significant is
asbestos litigation exposure and gender. One can be exposed to asbestos by working directly with the substance or indirectly through other jobs or activities. Exposure can last for years, sometimes even for decades before mesothelioma-related symptoms appear.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is durable and heat resistant. When mining or when workers take asbestos (
click homepage) insulation, the substance can break down into tiny dust particles that can be inhaled or swallowed. Inhaled fibers can cause irritation and scarring and mesothelioma-like cellular changes.
A range of procedures can be used to detect mesothelioma. Doctors can collect a sample of pleural liquid by a procedure called thoracentesis, or insert an needle into the chest for an in-tissue sample. Other diagnostic tools are MRI and CT scanners that detect masses and tumors that are located in the chest and abdomen.
Once an diagnosis has been made, doctors can treat it to reduce pain and other symptom. Certain patients receive several treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Some doctors also include the fields of immunotherapy or tumor-treatment in the mesothelioma treatment plan.
If a patient is suffering from an accumulation of fluid around the lungs doctors can treat it by draining the excess through an incision placed in the chest (pleurodesis). In certain cases patients could have a mutation that increases their risk of mesothelioma. Genetic counselors can help determine if a test is appropriate for a particular patient.
After mesothelioma treatment, doctors will schedule regular follow-up appointments. These visits will allow the doctor to monitor the patient's health and look for signs of the recurrence of the disease.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to
asbestos law, a class composed of microscopic fibres often used in the construction industry. These fibres can get stuck in the linings of organs, such as the stomach cavity and lungs when people inhale them or swallow them. As time passes, these fibres may cause irritation that could lead to cancerous growths. Symptoms typically don't show up until decades after initial exposure, and the majority of patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma at the end of their life.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are based on the stage and type of the cancer and which part of the body it's in. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's lining (pleura), and is the most common cause mesothelioma that develops within the stomach cavity. Other types of mesothelioma may be found in the membrane surrounding the heart or reproductive organs.
When doctors are able to confirm an indication of cancer and have a diagnosis, they can run various tests to determine the extent the cancer has spread and decide which treatment is most suitable for the patient. Doctors can look for mesothelioma by using a chest X-ray, CT scan or ultrasound and also urine and blood samples or biopsy. X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds are a way to determine if the tumor has grown or not.
Doctors can also identify if the mesothelioma is of epithelioid or pleural type. Both types can develop and spread faster in later stages of the disease, particularly when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
In certain instances doctors are able to eliminate mesothelioma completely. This can improve the prognosis of a patient. However, in most cases mesothelioma is too advanced to be surgically removed completely and patients will need to seek out other treatments to extend their lives as long as possible.
Certain patient characteristics can impact the survival rate of mesothelioma according to research. People with a family history of mesothelioma or who are older and healthier have a generally better prognosis. Other factors include whether smoking and the number of other health problems they have.
