Mesothelioma Cases

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma must consult a specialist. Doctors can offer a variety of treatment options depending on the location and size of the cancer.

Most mesothelioma cases occur in men and women who worked with asbestos materials. This includes miners insulation workers railway and auto repair workers, and shipyard workers.

Diagnosis

A combination of tests is required to diagnose mesothelioma. Doctors examine your medical history and conduct a physical examination to check for signs. They also conduct tests for imaging and blood tests to diagnose mesothelioma. The only method to detect mesothelioma is through a tissue biopsy, but this is not always the first test doctors conduct.

Most mesothelioma occurs in the pleura, which is the the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. Pleural effusion is the most common sign of pleural cancer. This can be seen on the chest CT scan or Xray. It helps doctors determine where to biopsy.

A mesothelioma biopsy can be done by a doctor with a needle, or via surgery. The biopsy is examined under a microscope to determine if the cells present in the sample are cancerous. Mesothelioma can be divided into three types based on how the cells appear under a microscope: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, Asbestos Legal and mixed (biphasic) mesothelioma.

Depending on the type of mesothelioma you have and your symptoms, doctors might suggest a variety of scans or blood tests. A complete blood count (CBC) measures the levels of white and red blood cells as well as platelets. It can aid doctors in identifying signs of mesothelioma including the elevated levels of an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

An echocardiogram is a specific form of ultrasound that shows how well the heart functions. It is used to detect pericardial msothelioma that affects the lining around the heart.

A chest CT scan uses x-rays computers and a computer software to create an image of your lungs. It can help doctors identify mesothelioma tumors and determine how thick the tissue is.

To determine if you have pleural mesothelioma a lung function or pulmonary function test may be required to determine how well the lungs function. This is done by having a flexible tube, also known as the bronchoscope, placed in the throat or mouth, and down the airway. The bronchoscope is equipped with a camera and can be connected to a huge monitor so that doctors can observe the lungs and the surrounding area. The test usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes for the procedure.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma may differ based on the nature and location of the cancer. Most mesothelioma-related cancers are classified as pleural (meaning they are found in the lining of lung). However, around 10% of cases are peritoneal, which develop in the lining of the abdomen. Both types of mesothelioma can cause fatigue, chest pain or chest pain and breathing problems.

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 gets an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

A doctor will usually begin the mesothelioma diagnosis by questioning about past exposure to asbestos attorney and conducting a physical examination. He or she will also order a chest X-ray and CT scan to determine if there is mesothelioma, or other issues that affect the chest wall and lungs. A blood test can also be required to determine the presence of antibodies that suggest asbestos Legal or mesothelioma exposure.

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

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include back or chest discomfort, breathing difficulties and a dry throat. These symptoms are often mistaken for flu, bronchitis or pneumonia. A mesothelioma patient may also experience bloating and constipation, and unproved weight loss. Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be characterized by abdominal pain. It can also cause swelling or a feeling that you are full or a blockage in the stomach. Other symptoms include fever, fatigue and loss of appetite. Mesothelioma can cause severe symptoms and even death, especially when it is at an advanced stage. It is essential to detect the disease early in receiving a rapid mesothelioma diagnose and beginning treatment as quickly as you are able to. Contact a mesothelioma expert for advice if you or someone you know has experienced symptoms of mesothelioma.

Treatment

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

A patient's doctor will first order imaging tests, including chest X-rays. These can show changes in the lung's liner, like thickening or fluid build-up. They can also reveal whether mesothelioma is spreading to other parts of the body. Other tests include a CT, MRI, and PET (positron-emission tomography). Blood tests can detect high levels of a chemical related to mesothelioma.

When mesothelioma is identified, doctors will order an examination. A small amount of the lining is removed to be examined under a microscope. Doctors can obtain a tissue sample using VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) it is a kind of keyhole surgery, or CT-guided core biopsies, that uses a needle that is guided by images taken of the CT scan. A biopsy can be used to determine the type of cell in mesothelioma. This can affect how the cancer responds. Epithelioid mesothelioma cells respond the best to treatment, whereas mixed cell and sarcomatoid types don't.

The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments can extend the lifespan of a patient by 30-40 percent. Doctors might recommend immunotherapy in certain cases. These medications help the body's immune system to attack the cancer. These drugs can be combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should take into consideration participating in a clinical trial. This can lead to improved and more advanced treatments. These trials are conducted by scientists to discover new ways to treat mesothelioma, and to improve the quality of life for patients.

Treatment for mesothelioma that is advanced is designed to minimize symptoms and to keep them under control. The symptoms include breathlessness, pain, and swelling. Breathing problems can be addressed by surgical procedures such as drainage of the pleura. TTFields is a treatment at home that could be suggested for patients who are unable to undergo surgery.

Prognosis

Doctors are able to better plan treatment when they know the stage of mesothelioma. The prognosis is determined by the type of cancer, its location, the body part affected and the overall health of the patient. Patients with advanced mesothelioma may be able to live for less than one year after diagnosis. Treatments can prolong the duration of survival.

Mesothelioma occurs when sharp, loose asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the abdomen or lungs. The cancer can form as a single tumor, or it may grow and spreads to other tissues. In advanced stages, mesothelioma can cause fluid to accumulate in the chest cavity and stomach which can cause a cough as well as other respiratory issues, abdominal pain, swelling and weight loss.

Doctors employ a variety of tests and procedures to detect mesothelioma. They may conduct an examination, collect a sample of a mesothelioma tumor for testing and review a person's medical history. Mesothelioma patients typically have a history involving asbestos exposure which is a major risk factor for this condition.

The most reliable method to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis is with a biopsy, which is the process of removing tissue or fluid from a mesothelioma to examine it for malignant cells. Doctors also examine blood samples to see whether the mesothelioma is composed of different kinds of cells. Epithelioid cells are the most common and respond well to treatment. Sarcomatoid cells, which appear in fewer instances and are more difficult to treat.

If pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed, doctors may treat the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity with an operation known as a pleurodesis. This involves scarring the lung lining using a chemical and stopping the buildup of fluid. They may also drain the fluid by using tubes placed in the chest (percutaneous thoracostomy).

Doctors aren't able to accurately predict the longevity of peritoneal cancer patients, as this kind of cancer typically develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity. However, peritoneal mesothelioma is responsive well to treatment and has a better outlook than other types of mesothelioma that tend to grow more rapidly.