What is Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be overwhelming. It's natural to feel shocked and confused. You may also be upset and angry.

The pleura, the area that surrounds the lungs and the chest wall, is afflicted by pleural mesothelioma. The cancer causes fluid accumulation in the lungs making it difficult to breathe.

Asbestos exposure is the most common cause of mesothelioma. At risk are people who have been exposed to asbestos, or resided with someone who has.

What is Mesothelioma?

The mesothelioma cancerous form develops on the lining tissue, also known as mesothelium. The mesothelium lining protects your chest, abdominal, and heart as well as the majority of your other organs. It has two layers that form a sac around the inner layer of your body's organs, and is separated by fluid to permit organs to move around easily. Mesothelioma cancer cells develop into malignant or cancerous, and expand into and destroy surrounding tissues. They can also expand (metastasize) to other areas of the body.

Those who are most at risk of developing mesothelioma are those that have been exposed to asbestos while at work. Asbestos workers include builders, plumbers, electricians, welders, asbestos miners, auto industry workers, and many more. A higher risk is also present for those who live near asbestos-related facilities, like power and factories plants. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have typically been exposed to asbestos for between 20 and 60 years prior their illness manifests.

Pleural mesothelioma is most often found in the lining of the lungs. This type of mesothelioma may cause chest pain, breathing issues and weight loss. It is most often affecting the lungs, but it may also affect other organs such as the stomach and the heart. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma a rare type of disease that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity, may experience discomfort in the belly area and abdomen, and difficulty eating.

The pericardial mesothelioma and tunica vaginalis are two different types of mesothelioma. They both occur in the tissue covering the tissues of the abdomen, chest or testicles. These types of mesothelioma are usually not diagnosed and have a less survival rates than other types.

The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on the nature and location of the disease, the stage at diagnosis and general patient health. Some patients can be successfully treated by undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other patients who have advanced mesothelioma can receive experimental treatments, such as immunotherapy or gene therapy. In any situation, treatment options could increase the life expectancy of a patient.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, typically occurs in the tissues of the chest cavity or abdomen. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a heat and fire-resistant mineral that was used in construction, insulation and shipbuilding power generation, as well as home renovations prior to being banned in the 1970s. The exposure is mostly due to working in the asbestos industry, however, people who have cleaned up work clothing containing asbestos fibres or disturbed asbestos in home renovations may also be at risk of developing mesothelioma.

The majority of patients with mesothelioma have general symptoms such as fatigue and weight loss, coughing that has changes in frequency or intensity, chest pain, and other such symptoms. These symptoms could be caused by a number of ailments, and patients must always speak with their doctor regarding them. They should also be sure to inform their doctor if they have been exposed to asbestos.

In pleural asbestosis, symptoms are often caused by the tumor that causes fluid to build up in the area around the lungs. The build-up of fluid, which is known as a "pleural effusion" is a source of pressure on the lungs, which makes breathing difficult. The amount of fluid within the pleural cavity plays a role in decreasing breathlessness.

Other symptoms of mesothelioma law firm are a fever, night sweats and abdominal pain. The body's temperature rises as it fights the disease. This is what causes the fever. The night sweats are an ailment to the fever and a strategy by the body to get cool. These symptoms are indicators that cancer is getting worse and causing stress on the body.

Other signs of mesothelioma are fatigue, a swollen stomach and a difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue around the heart which can cause chest pain and difficulty breathing. It is also possible to develop mesothelioma in the testicles' lining, causing swelling or a lump on the testicles.

Because mesothelioma is so rare it can be difficult to detect early. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as other illnesses and even pneumonia or the flu. Mesothelioma can last for up to years before symptoms are detected.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a challenging cancer to identify. Doctors must determine if there are other health conditions with similar symptoms prior to diagnosing mesothelioma. Once this is done, they will determine the most effective treatment options for you.

Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. Your doctor might conduct blood tests to see how well your organs work. One of these tests is a complete blood count (CBC) which examines the amount of red and white blood cells, the extent to which your kidneys and liver are functioning, as well as other vital information. These blood tests can detect mesothelioma. However, it is difficult to detect because they appear similar to normal cells.

If your doctor suspects that you have mesothelioma, they'll likely order imaging tests to find the location and size of any growths or fluid that is forming around the abdomen or lungs. A chest radiograph is the most commonly used test, but if it does not reveal any abnormalities, the doctor may decide to order more specific tests like a CT scan or an MRI.

These tests give high-resolution pictures of the body by radio waves and powerful magnets to produce high-quality images. They can detect the presence of fluid and thickening in the pleura or peritoneum which could indicate mesothelioma. A CT scan can identify other health issues like pneumonia or a lung infection.

Doctors may get a better idea of the type of mesothelioma you have by taking a tissue sample taken during a biopsy. This is the only way to determine mesothelioma. These samples are examined under a magnifying lens to determine the kind of mesothelioma and the extent of the cancer's spread.

Some doctors may inject dye into a vein, or perform other tests, to determine the exact site of the cancer. This is called mesothelioma staging, and it assists doctors in determining the extent to which the cancer has expanded.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the cells that line the lungs and other organs. These cells can grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. The cancer spreads to nearby tissues because the cells are unable to respond to signals that keep them from growing too quickly. It can also invade blood vessels that provide oxygen to the lungs. This can cause breathing difficulties and a cough.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by looking at the symptoms of an individual and their previous exposure to asbestos. They may also request imaging tests and other lab tests to detect and identify tumors. Chest X-rays, asbestos for example can be used to look for lung changes such as pleural thickening and the development of pleural effusion (fluid build-up). They may also order CT scans, MRI and asbestos an PET scan to see where the tumors are and to determine how much mesothelioma has spread. They can also collect a sample of fluid around the lungs, known as the thoracentesis, in order to look for mesothelioma cells and to ease the pressure on the lungs caused by the accumulation of fluid.

When mesothelioma is discovered doctors can design treatment to control the disease. It is crucial to discuss your goals for treatment with your mesothelioma physician. Some people prefer aggressive treatment in order to improve their chances of survival and prolong their lives, whereas others prefer a more gentle method of reducing side effects, such as pain and nausea.

Mesothelioma treatments include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The type of treatment a person receives depends on the stage of mesothelioma as well as whether it's composed of epithelioid or sarcomatoid cell. The epithelioid cells are easier to remove through surgery and has a better outcome than sarcomatoid. Some patients are affected by a combination of both types and have an even worse outcome than those with only epithelioid cancer.

After completing treatment it is crucial to follow up with your mesothelioma specialist regularly. This can help in preventing the cancer from recurring. If it occurs again in the future, your mesothelioma specialists will develop an entirely new treatment strategy.

Some patients with mesothelioma are enrolled in clinical trials to test new treatments. Clinical trials allow people to get access to cutting-edge therapies that haven't yet been approved for use in general.