Mesothelioma Cases

A specialist should be sought out by anyone diagnosed mesothelioma. Doctors can provide a variety of treatment options depending on the location and size of the tumor.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in men and women who worked with asbestos-containing materials. This includes miners, insulation workers railway and auto repair technicians, as well as shipyard workers.

Diagnosis

A mesothelioma diagnosis requires the use of a variety of tests. Doctors examine your medical history and conduct a physical examination to check for signs. They can also use blood markers and imaging tests to determine mesothelioma. A tissue biopsy is the only sure way to make a mesothelioma law diagnosis however, it is usually not the first test that doctors perform.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the pleura, or lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Pleural effusion is the most commonly seen symptom for cancers of the pleura. It can be observed in the chest CT scan or X-ray and helps doctors determine where to biopsy.

To perform a mesothelioma biopsies, doctors can use the use of a needle or surgical procedure to remove a small sample of the affected tissues. The biopsy is then examined under a microscope in order to determine whether the cells are cancerous. The cells of mesothelioma are divided into three different types, depending on their appearance under a microscope. These are epithelioid (epidermoid), the sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) and mixed (biphasic).

Depending on the type of mesothelioma and the symptoms you are experiencing, doctors can recommend a variety of tests for blood or imaging scanners. A complete blood count (CBC) measures the levels of red and white blood cells and platelets. It can help doctors identify mesothelioma-related signs including the elevated levels of an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

A specific form of ultrasound, an echocardiogram shows the heart's performance. This is used to diagnose pericardial msothelioma, which can affect the lining around the heart.

A chest CT scan is a painless, non-invasive scan that utilizes x-rays as well as computers to produce images of your lungs and the tissues surrounding them. It helps doctors identify mesothelioma cancers and measure the thickness of tissue.

To diagnose pleural mesothelioma, lung function or pulmonary function test might be required to determine how well the lungs function. A flexible tube referred to as a "bronchoscope" is put into the mouth or throat and then down the airway. The bronchoscope is equipped with a camera, and can be connected to a large monitor that allows doctors to observe the lungs and the surrounding area. The test lasts between 30 and 60 minutes.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma vary based on the nature and location of the cancer. The majority of mesothelioma cases are pleural, which means they develop in the lining surrounding the lung (pleura). About 10 percent of mesothelioma cases are peritoneal and originate in the lining of the abdomen. Both types of mesothelioma can cause chest pain, fatigue and chest pain and breathing difficulties.

Mesothelioma is a rare disease and many doctors aren't familiar of its symptoms and signs. Patients should bring a detailed list of symptoms to each appointment and inform their doctor of any asbestos exposure history. This will ensure that the patient receives a prompt diagnosis.

A doctor will start a diagnosis of mesothelioma by asking about asbestos exposure prior to the diagnosis and then performing a physical examination. He or she will also request a chest X-ray and CT scan to check for mesothelioma and other issues around the lungs and chest wall. A blood test will also be ordered to check for the presence of certain antibodies that could indicate asbestos exposure or mesothelioma.

A biopsy is performed after the diagnosis of mesothelioma to examine tissue under the microscope and confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy can be done by VATS surgery (a minimally-invasive procedure) or using a CT guided needle aspiration.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include back or chest pain, difficulty breathing and a dry throat. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as pneumonia, bronchitis, or flu. A mesothelioma patient may also experience bloating and constipation, and an unidentified loss of weight. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling of the abdomen and an feeling of fullness or a blockage in the stomach. Other symptoms include fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Mesothelioma can trigger severe symptoms and even death, especially if it is at an advanced stage. It is essential to detect the disease early in getting a quick mesothelioma diagnosis and undergoing treatment as soon as you can. If you or a loved one is suffering from mesothelioma symptoms get in touch with a mesothelioma expert today.

Treatment

Treatment options for mesothelioma are dependent on the type and stage of cancer. Patients should choose mesothelioma specialists who are familiarized with the disease and is able to discuss their treatment goals. This is known as shared decision making.

Chest X-rays are usually the first imaging tests that a patient's doctor orders. These tests can reveal changes to the lining of the lungs, like thickening and the buildup of fluid. They can also tell whether mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Other tests could include a CT scan as well as an MRI and an PET (positron emission tomography) scan. Blood tests can identify high levels of certain chemical that are linked to mesothelioma.

If mesothelioma is diagnosed, doctors will recommend an invasive biopsy. This involves removing an insignificant portion of the lining to look at under a microscope for mesothelioma cells. Doctors can collect a tissue sample using VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure), a type of keyhole surgery, or CT-guided core biopsies, which uses a needle guided by images taken of the CT scan. A biopsy can identify the type of mesothelioma cell and can affect how the cancer responds treatments. Epithelioid mesothelioma cells are the most responsive to treatment, whereas mixed cell and sarcomatoid types do not.

The most popular treatment for mesothelioma is chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. These treatments can improve the patient's life expectancy by 30-40%. In certain instances doctors may recommend immunotherapy. These medications stimulate the body's immune system to fight cancer. They can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as chemo and surgery.

Patients with mesothelioma should always think about taking part in a clinical trial. This can result in better and more innovative treatments. Researchers conduct these trials to find new ways to treat the disease and improve patients' lives.

For patients who have advanced mesothelioma, the purpose of treatment is to lessen symptoms and keep them under control. These symptoms include pain, breathlessness and swelling. Breathing difficulties can be helped through surgical procedures, such as an pleura drain. For people who cannot undergo surgery, an at-home treatment like TTFields could be recommended.

Prognosis

Doctors can better plan treatment when they know the stage of mesothelioma. The prognosis will depend on the type and location of the cancer, what part of the body it affects and the general state of the patient's health. Patients with advanced mesothelioma can be able to live for less than one year after diagnosis. Treatments can prolong survival.

Mesothelioma occurs when sharp, loose asbestos fibers irritate the lining of the lungs or abdomen. The cancer may develop as a single tumor or spread to nearby tissues as it grows. In advanced stages, mesothelioma may cause fluid to build up in the stomach and chest cavity and cause coughing, other respiratory problems, abdominal pain, swelling and weight loss.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using the combination of tests and procedures. They might conduct an examination of the body, take a biopsy of mesothelioma tumors for testing and review the medical history of a patient. People with mesothelioma often have the history of exposure to asbestos which is the most significant risk reason for the disease.

A biopsy is the most accurate method of confirming mesothelioma. It takes tissue or fluids from a cancerous mesothelioma and then examines the cells for malignant ones. Doctors also test blood samples to determine whether the mesothelioma is composed of different kinds of cells. The most frequent epithelioid cells respond well to treatment. Sarcomatoid cell, which is seen in fewer cases and is more difficult to treat.

If you are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma doctors can treat the buildup of fluid inside the chest cavity by performing the procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves using an agent to damage the lung lining and asbestos stop the growth of fluid. They can also flush the fluid using tubes placed in the chest (percutaneous thoracostomy).

Doctors aren't able accurately estimate the life expectancy of peritoneal mesothelioma patients, because this type of cancer typically develops in the the abdominal cavity. The prognosis for peritoneal cancer is higher than that of other types, as it responds well to treatment and spreads less rapidly.