What is Mesothelioma?

The diagnosis of mesothelioma may be overwhelming. It's normal to be stunned, angry and confused.

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleura that surrounds the lungs and chest wall. This cancer causes fluid buildup in the lungs, making it difficult to breath.

Asbestos exposure is the most common cause of mesothelioma. People at risk are those who have been exposed to asbestos, or lived with someone who has.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in the tissues' lining called the mesothelium. The mesothelium liner protects your chest, abdominal, and heart, as well as most of your other organs. It is composed of two layers that form a sac, which surrounds the organs within your body. The fluid between the layers allows the organs to move freely. Mesothelioma cells can become malignant or cancerous, and expand into and destroy surrounding tissues. They may also grow and spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body.

The most at-risk population for developing mesothelioma is people who have been working with asbestos. Asbestos workers include construction workers plumbers, electricians and plumbers welders, asbestos miners, auto industry workers and others. The risk is higher for people who live near asbestos-related facilities, like power and factories plants. Mesothelioma is diagnosed among people who have been exposed to asbestos between 20 and 60 years before the disease begins to manifest.

Pleural mesothelioma can be found most often in the lung lining. This type of mesothelioma can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing and weight loss. It is usually found in the lungs, but can also affect the heart or stomach. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be a rare type of the disease which affects the lining of the abdominal cavity. It can cause pain and difficulty eating.

Other types of mesothelioma include mesothelioma pericardial as well as tunica vaginal both of which are found in the tissue that covers the tissues of the chest, abdomen or testicles, respectively. These mesothelioma types are usually not diagnosed and have a a lower survival rate than other types.

The prognosis of mesothelioma depends on the type, asbestos location and stage of the disease at the moment of diagnosis as well as the general health condition. Certain patients are successfully treated with radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. Patients with mesothelioma that is more advanced may receive experimental treatments like immunotherapy and gene therapy. In either scenario, treatment options can improve a patient's life expectancy.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, usually occurs in the chest cavity or abdomen. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, a heat - and fire-resistant mineral used in the construction industry, insulation and shipbuilding power generation, as well as home renovations prior to being banned in the 1970s. Exposure is primarily due to working in the asbestos industry, however, people who have cleaned their work clothes with asbestos fibres or disturbed asbestos during home renovations are also at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Most mesothelioma patients have general symptoms such as fatigue and weight loss, coughing that has a change in pattern or intensity, chest pain and the list goes on. Patients should consult their doctor if they notice any of these symptoms. Also, they should be sure to tell their doctor if they have been exposed to asbestos.

In pleural mesothelioma, symptoms typically occur as a result of the tumor causing fluid accumulation in the space around the lung. This build-up, referred to as a pleural effusion puts pressure on the lungs and makes breathing difficult. The amount of fluid inside the pleural cavity can improve breathing difficulties.

Other signs of Mesothelioma include the night sweats, a fever and abdominal pain. The body's temperature rises as it fights against the disease. This causes the fever. The night sweats are a response to the fever and an attempt by the body to reduce its temperature. These symptoms are indicators that cancer is worsening and is causing stress to the body.

Less common mesothelioma symptoms include the abdomen swelling and fatigue, as well as difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue surrounding the heart that can cause chest pain as well as breathing difficulties. Mesothelioma may also grow in the tissue that covers the testicles. This can lead to swelling or the appearance of a lump.

Because mesothelioma is so rare, it can be difficult to diagnose early. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other ailments and may be mistaken for flu or pneumonia. As a result, mesothelioma symptoms may take from months to years to show before they are diagnosed.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a gruelling cancer. Doctors must exclude other conditions with similar symptoms before diagnosing mesothelioma. Once they have done this, they can determine the best treatment option for you.

Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms, and then perform a physical exam. Your doctor may also order blood tests to determine how your organs are working. A complete blood count (CBC) is a test that measures the number of white and red blood cells, as well as how your kidneys and liver are functioning, is one such test. Mesothelioma cells often show up in these blood tests, however they are difficult to identify because they look like normal cells.

If your doctor suspects that you may have mesothelioma, they'll likely order imaging to determine the amount and location of any fluid or growth around the abdomen or lungs. A chest x-ray is the most frequent test, however if it does not show any abnormalities, doctors can then order more detailed tests, such as an CT scan or an MRI.

These tests give high-resolution pictures of the body using a combination of magnetic fields and radio waves to create a series of high-quality images. They can detect fluid or thickening of the pleura and peritoneum that could be a sign of mesothelioma. A CT scan can also reveal other health issues, such as a lung infection or pneumonia.

Doctors can sometimes 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 diagnose mesothelioma. These samples are then examined under microscopes to determine mesothelioma's specific cell type, as well as how far the cancer has spread.

Some doctors may inject dye into veins or perform other tests to identify the region in which the cancer is. This is referred to as staging mesothelioma and helps doctors determine how far the tumor has spread.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a cancer that is a result of the lung's cells and organs. These cells can grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. The cancer spreads to nearby tissues due to the fact that they do not respond to signals that stop them from growing too quickly. It can also infiltrate blood vessels that carry oxygen to the lungs. This can result in breathing problems and cough.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by examining the symptoms of an individual and their history of asbestos exposure. They can also order imaging tests and other lab tests to help identify tumors. Chest X-rays, for instance can be used to look for lung conditions, such as the thickening of the pleura and the development of pleural effusion (fluid build-up). They can also request CT scanning as well as an MRI or a PET scan in order to locate the site of tumors and determine how far mesothelioma spreads. They may also take a sample of fluid around the lungs, referred to as a thoracentesis to check for mesothelioma tumors and to ease the pressure on the lungs caused by the accumulation of fluid.

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is established, doctors can design treatments to treat the disease. It is crucial to discuss your goals for treatment with your mesothelioma specialist. Some patients require aggressive treatment to extend their life and improve survival, while others are comfortable with a less-intensive approach to reduce nausea, pain and other side effects.

Treatments for mesothelioma can include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. The type of treatment one receives is determined by the stage of their mesothelioma, and whether or not it's composed of sarcomatoid or epithelioid cells. The epithelioid cell is easier to remove by surgery and has a better outcome than sarcomatoid. Some patients have a mixture of both kinds, and they typically have less favorable outcomes than those who have epithelioid-only mesothelioma.

After treatment is completed, asbestos it is important to follow up with your mesothelioma physician regularly. This will help keep the cancer from recurring. The mesothelioma treatment team will devise a new plan if it does recur.

Patients with mesothelioma are able to join clinical trials to test new treatments. Clinical trials allow people to get access to cutting-edge therapies that have not yet been approved for general use.