What is Mesothelioma?

The diagnosis of mesothelioma may be overwhelming. It's normal for people to be shocked, upset and confused.

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the pleura which surrounds the lungs and chest wall. This cancer causes the formation of fluid inside the lungs which makes it difficult for the patient to breathe.

Asbestos exposure is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Anyone who has worked with asbestos or lived with someone who did are at risk.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of tissues, called the mesothelium. The mesothelium liner protects your chest, abdomen, and heart and a majority of your other organs. It has two layers that create a sac around inner layer of your body's organs, and is separated by fluid to allow organs to move around easily. Mesothelioma cells become malignant, or cancerous, and they grow into and destroy surrounding tissues. They can also expand (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Those who are most at risk of developing mesothelioma are those who have been exposed to asbestos while at work. asbestos attorney workers are plumbers, electricians, welders, asbestos miners, and auto industry workers. A higher risk is also present for people who work or live near asbestos-related facilities, such as factories and power plants. Mesothelioma patients are typically exposed to asbestos for between 20 and 60 years prior their disease manifests.

The most common type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma pleural, which is found in the lining of the lung. This kind of mesothelioma may cause chest pain, difficulty breathing and weight loss. It usually affects the lungs, however it could be affecting 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 suffer from discomfort in the belly area and abdomen, and difficulty eating.

The pericardial mesothelioma as well as the tunica vaginalis are two different types of mesothelioma. They both occur in the tissue covering the linings of the abdomen, chest, or testicles. These types of mesothelioma often are not diagnosed, and have lower survival rates than other forms of the disease.

The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on the type and location of the disease, the stage at diagnosis and general patient health. Some patients are successfully treated with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Others with more advanced mesothelioma may be offered experimental treatments like immunotherapy and gene therapy. In either situation the treatment options available may dramatically increase a person's life expectancy.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that usually occurs in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity. The cancer is caused by asbestos, which was utilized in construction, shipbuilding and energy generation as well as home renovations until it was banned in 1970. The main reason for exposure is working in the asbestos industry, but people who have cleaned up work clothes with asbestos fibres or disturbed asbestos during home renovations are also at risk of developing mesothelioma.

The majority of patients with mesothelioma experience general symptoms, mesothelioma such as fatigue and weight loss, coughing that changes in pattern or intensity and chest pain. Patients should consult their doctor if they notice any of these symptoms. Inform your doctor if you have been exposed asbestos.

In the case of pleural asbestosis, symptoms are usually caused by the tumor, causing fluid to accumulate in the area around the lungs. The build-up of fluid, which is called a "pleural effusion" is a source of pressure on the lungs, which makes breathing difficult. The ability to control the amount of fluid inside the pleural cavity can improve breathlessness.

Other symptoms of Mesothelioma include an increase in temperature, night sweats and abdominal pain. The body's temperature rises when it fights against the disease. This causes the fever. The body tries to cool itself down by producing sweating during the night as a reaction to the temperature. These symptoms indicate that cancer is getting worse and is causing stress to the body.

The less common mesothelioma symptoms are a swollen abdomen and fatigue, as well as difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue that surrounds the heart, causing difficulty breathing and chest pain. It is also possible to develop mesothelioma in the testicles' membrane which can cause swelling or an abnormal lump on the testicles.

Mesothelioma can be difficult detect early because it is so uncommon. The symptoms of mesothelioma are comparable to those of other ailments and may be mistaken for pneumonia or a flu. Mesothelioma can last for up to years before symptoms are identified.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a cancer that is difficult to diagnose. Doctors must determine if there are other health conditions with similar symptoms before diagnosing mesothelioma. Once they have done this, they are able to decide the best treatment for you.

Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and perform an exam. Your doctor might also recommend blood tests to assess how your organs are working. One such test is a complete blood count (CBC) that examines the number of red and white blood cells, the extent to which your kidneys and liver are functioning, and other vital information. These blood tests can reveal mesothelioma, but it's difficult to recognize them due to their similarity to normal cells.

If your doctor suspects you have mesothelioma they will likely order imaging tests to determine the location and size of any growth or fluid that is forming around the abdomen or lungs. A chest radiograph is the most commonly used test, but if it doesn't reveal any abnormalities, the doctor may request more thorough tests such as an CT scan or an MRI.

These tests provide high-resolution images of the body through radio waves and powerful magnets to create a series of precise images. They can detect fluid or thickening of the peritoneum or pleura that could be a sign of mesothelioma. A CT scan can also identify other health issues, such as pneumonia or lung infections.

A biopsy can give doctors an idea of the kind of cancer you suffer from. This is the only sure 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 a vein, or perform other tests to determine the area of the cancer. This is known as staging the mesothelioma. It helps doctors determine how far the tumor has grown and the severity.

Treatment

mesothelioma (http://www.gabiz.kr/g5/bbs/board.Php?bo_table=free&wr_id=1263785) develops in the cells that line the lung and other organs. These cells can expand rapidly, forming tumors. The cancer spreads because cells aren't able to respond to signals that prevent them from growing too quickly. It can also infiltrate blood vessels that carry oxygen to the lung. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of the patient's symptoms and his previous exposure to asbestos. They may also order imaging tests and other laboratory tests to help detect tumors. Chest Xrays, for instance are a way to examine lung changes such as pleural thickening and the development of pleural effusion (fluid build-up). They can also request CT scanning as well as an MRI or a PET scan to locate the site of the tumors and determine the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. They can also collect fluid from the lungs (called a thoracentesis) to test for mesothelioma and to relieve pressure on the lungs caused by fluid accumulation.

When mesothelioma is discovered doctors can design treatment to manage the cancer. It is essential to discuss the treatment options with your mesothelioma specialist. Some patients want aggressive treatment to prolong their lives and improve their chances of survival, while others are comfortable with moderate treatment to lessen pain, nausea and other adverse effects.

The treatment options for mesothelioma are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The type of treatment that a person receives is determined by the stage of their mesothelioma and whether or not it is composed of epithelioid or sarcomatoid cells. The epithelioid cells are easier to remove by surgery and has a better outcome than sarcomatoid. Some patients have a mixture of both kinds, and they generally have lower outcomes than those who have only epithelioid mesothelioma.

It is crucial to visit your mesothelioma physician regularly after the treatment. This can help in preventing the cancer from returning. The mesothelioma treatment team will come up with a new plan if it occurs again.

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