Mesothelioma Cases

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma must consult a specialist. Based on the location of the tumor and how much it has spread, doctors can provide patients with a variety of treatments.

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

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of mesothelioma requires a combination of testing methods. Doctors review your medical history and perform an examination to look for symptoms. They may also use blood markers and imaging tests to diagnose mesothelioma. A tissue biopsy is the only sure method of making an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma but it's usually not the first test that doctors perform.

Most mesothelioma occurs in the pleura, or the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. The most common symptom of pleural mesothelioma is the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity, known as pleural effusion. This can be seen on chest X-rays or CT scan. It helps doctors work out where to biopsy the affected area.

A biopsy of mesothelioma can be done by a physician by using a needle or via surgery. The biopsy is then looked at under a microscope to see if the cells are cancerous. The cells of mesothelioma are classified into three distinct types, depending on their appearance under the microscope. These include epithelioid (epidermoid), Sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) and mixed (biphasic).

Depending on the type of mesothelioma and the symptoms you are experiencing, doctors can recommend a variety of blood tests or imaging scanners. A complete blood count (CBC) determines the level of red and white blood cells, as well as platelets. It can help doctors detect mesothelioma-related symptoms, such as increased levels of an enzyme known as Lactate Dehydrogenase.

A specific form of ultrasound, an echocardiogram displays the heart's performance. This can be used to diagnose pericardial msothelioma which can affect 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 aid doctors in identifying mesothelioma tumors as well as determine the thickness of tissue.

A pleural mesothelioma diagnosis may require lung function tests or pulmonary function test to determine if the lungs function. A flexible tube referred to as a "bronchoscope" is placed into the mouth or throat and then down the airway. The bronchoscope comes with a camera on the end and connects to a large screen so doctors can view the lungs and the surrounding areas. The test takes between 30 minutes and 60 minutes.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma differ depending on where and what type of cancer it is. The majority of mesothelioma cases are pleural, meaning they develop in the lining around the lung (pleura). About 10 percent of mesothelioma cases are peritoneal and originate in the lining surrounding the abdomen. Both mesothelioma types result in difficulty breathing, coughing, chest or abdominal pain and fatigue.

Mesothelioma is a rare disease and many doctors may not be familiar with its signs and symptoms. For this reason, patients should bring a list of their symptoms to every appointment and tell their doctor about any history of exposure to asbestos. This will ensure that the patient receives a prompt diagnosis and treatment.

A doctor usually begins the mesothelioma treatment by asking about asbestos exposure in the past and conducting a physical examination. A chest X-ray or CT scan will be ordered to check for mesothelioma and other lung problems or chest wall. A blood test is required to determine the presence of antibodies that could indicate asbestos or mesothelioma exposure.

Once mesothelioma has been diagnosed and a biopsy is taken to examine the tissues under a microscope and confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy can be carried out using VATS surgery, a minimally invasive procedure, or with an CT-guided needle aspiration.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms usually manifest as breathing difficulties, chest or back discomfort, and dry cough. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as pneumonia, bronchitis or flu. A mesothelioma patient may also experience bloating and constipation, along with unexplained loss of weight. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling of the abdomen and a feeling of fullness or an obstruction in the stomach. Other symptoms that can occur include an appetite loss, fever and tiredness. Mesothelioma symptoms can be serious and asbestos life-threatening, particularly when it is at an advanced stage. It is crucial to receive a fast mesothelioma treatment diagnosis and start treatment as soon as you can. If you or someone you love is suffering from mesothelioma symptoms consult a mesothelioma doctor today.

Treatment

The treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Patients should seek out mesothelioma specialists who are well-versed in the disease and who can discuss their treatment goals. This is known as shared decision making.

Chest X-rays are typically the first imaging tests that doctors recommend to patients. They can reveal changes in the lung's lining, including thickening or a build-up of fluid. They can also tell whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other parts of the body. Other tests include a CT, MRI, and PET (positron-emission tomography). Blood tests can reveal high levels of certain chemicals that are linked to mesothelioma.

Once the mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors will request an examination. This is the process of removing an insignificant portion of the lining to look at under microscopes to look for mesothelioma-like cells. Doctors can collect an ossified tissue sample using VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a keyhole type surgery. They can also use a CT guided core biopsy that makes use of a needle that is guided by images from a CT scan. A biopsy can identify the type of mesothelioma cell and will affect the way that the cancer responds to treatments. Epithelioid cells of mesothelioma respond better to treatment than sarcomatoid or mixed cell types.

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

Patients with mesothelioma should always take into consideration participating in a clinical study. This could result in better and more experimental treatments. Researchers conduct these trials to discover new ways to treat the disease and improve the quality of life for patients.

For people with advanced mesothelioma, the aim of treatment is to lessen symptoms and keep them under control. The symptoms include pain, breathlessness and swelling. Breathing difficulties can be helped through surgical procedures, such as drainage of the pleura. If you are not able to undergo surgery, a home treatment such as TTFields may be suggested.

Prognosis

Doctors are able to better plan treatment when they know the stage of mesothelioma. The prognosis depends on the kind 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 being diagnosed. Treatments can prolong the duration of survival.

Mesothelioma develops when sharp, loose asbestos fibers irritate 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 may cause fluid to build up in the chest cavity and stomach which can cause a cough, other respiratory problems abdominal pain, swelling and weight loss.

Doctors employ a variety of tests and procedures to diagnose mesothelioma. They can conduct a physical examination and then take a biopsy of mesothelioma to test, and review the medical history of a patient. Mesothelioma patients often have a history involving asbestos exposure which is a significant risk factor for this condition.

A biopsy is the most precise way to confirm mesothelioma. It is the process of removing fluids or tissue from mesothelioma that is cancerous and examines the cells for malignant ones. Doctors examine blood samples to determine whether mesothelioma has different types of cancerous cells. Epithelioid cells are most common and respond well to treatment. Sarcomatoid cell, which is seen in less cases is more difficult to treat.

When a patient is diagnosed with Pleural Msothelioma, doctors can treat the buildup of fluid in the chest cavity by using a procedure known as a pleurodesis. This involves using a chemical to scar the lung lining and stop the growth of fluid. They can also drain the fluid with a tube in the chest.

Doctors are unable to accurately predict the life expectancy of patients suffering from peritoneal cancer since this type of cancer is found on the abdomen's lining. The prognosis for peritoneal cancer is much better than other types, since it is well-responded to treatment and spreads less rapidly.