What is Mesothelioma?

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

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleura, which is the lung's protective wall. The cancer causes fluid to build up in the lung, making it difficult to breathe.

Asbestos is the primary reason for mesothelioma. People at risk are those who have been exposed to asbestos, or resided with someone who has.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is found in the tissues' lining, called the mesothelium. The mesothelium lining covers and protects most of the organs of your body, including your heart, chest and abdomen. It is comprised 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 they grow into and destroy surrounding tissue. They can also grow and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

The most at-risk group to develop mesothelioma is people who have been working with asbestos. Asbestos workers are plumbers, electricians, welders, asbestos miners and auto industry workers. People who live or work near asbestos-containing facilities, such as factories and power plants are also at higher risk. Mesothelioma is diagnosed among people who have been exposed to asbestos between 20 and 60 year before the disease begins to manifest.

Pleural mesothelioma occurs most commonly in the lung lining. This kind of mesothelioma may cause chest pain, trouble breathing and weight loss. It usually occurs in the lungs, but can also affect the stomach or heart. Those 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, as well as difficulty eating.

Other types of mesothelioma are pericardial and asbestos tunica vaginalis mesothelioma both of which are found in the tissue that covers the tissue of the abdomen, chest or testicles,. These mesothelioma types often are not diagnosed, and have lower survival rates than other types of the disease.

The prognosis of mesothelioma varies on the type, location and stage of the disease at the moment of diagnosis as well as the general health status. Some patients are successfully treated using surgery, chemo and radiation. Other patients with mesothelioma more advanced might be treated with experimental therapies like immunotherapy and gene therapy. In any situation, treatment options could improve a patient's life expectancy.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that most often occurs in the chest lining or abdominal cavity. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a heat and fire-resistant mineral used in the construction industry, insulation, shipbuilding, power generation, and home renovations prior to being banned in the 1970s. Exposure to asbestos is most often resulted from working in the asbestos lawyer-related industry. However, those who have washed their clothing that contained asbestos case fibers or disturbed asbestos when renovating their homes are also at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Most mesothelioma patients experience general symptoms, like fatigue and weight loss, coughing with changes in frequency or intensity, chest pain, and the list goes on. Patients should always consult with their physician if they experience any of these symptoms. Also, they should be sure to inform their doctor if they've been exposed to asbestos.

In pleural asbestosis, symptoms are often caused by the tumor, causing fluid to accumulate in the region around the lung. This build-up, also known as a pleural effusion, causes pressure on the lungs and can make breathing difficult. The volume of fluid inside the pleural cavity is important in the reduction of breathlessness.

Other symptoms of mesothelioma include a fever, night sweats and abdominal pain. The body's temperature increases as it fights the disease. This is what causes the fever. The body tries to cool itself down by producing sweating during the night as a response to the temperature. These symptoms indicate that cancer is advancing and causing stress on the body.

Other signs of mesothelioma are fatigue, a swollen stomach and difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissues surrounding the heart which can cause chest pain and difficulty breathing. It is also possible to develop mesothelioma inside the testicles' membrane, causing swelling or an abnormal lump on the testicles.

Because mesothelioma is so rare and difficult to identify early. The symptoms of mesothelioma are comparable to those of other diseases and may be mistaken for asbestos pneumonia or flu. Mesothelioma can take up to years before symptoms are recognized.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a challenging cancer to identify. Before diagnosing mesothelioma by doctors, they must rule out any other conditions that have similar symptoms. After they have done this, they are able to determine the best treatment option for you.

The first step for mesothelioma diagnosis is for your doctor to ask about your symptoms and do an examination. Your doctor might request blood tests to see how well your organs work. One such test is the complete blood count (CBC) which examines the number of white and red 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 identify them due to their similarity to normal cells.

If your doctor suspects you have mesothelioma they may order an imaging to determine the extent and the 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 request more thorough tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI.

These tests offer high-resolution images of the body by radio waves and powerful magnets to create a series of detailed pictures. They can detect fluid and thickening in the peritoneum or pleura, which can indicate mesothelioma. A CT scan can reveal other health issues such as lung infections or pneumonia.

Doctors can sometimes gain a better understanding of the type of mesothelioma that you have from a tissue sample taken during a biopsy. This is the only way to diagnose mesothelioma. The samples are then examined under a microscope to determine the mesothelioma's type of cell, and how far the cancer has been able to spread.

Certain doctors may also inject dye into veins or conduct other tests to determine the region in which the cancer is. This is referred to as staging mesothelioma and assists doctors in determining the extent to which the cancer has spread.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the cells that line the lung and other organs. The cells can grow beyond their limits, and eventually form tumors (masses). The cancer spreads to surrounding tissues due to the fact that the cells do not respond to signals that stop them from expanding too rapidly. It may also infiltrate the blood vessels that provide oxygen to the lung. This can cause breathing difficulties and cough.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by examining the symptoms of an individual and their history of exposure to asbestos. They can also order imaging tests and other lab tests to locate and identify tumors. Chest Xrays, for instance can be used to check lung changes such as the pleural thickening process and the pleural effusion (fluid build-up). They may also order CT scans, an MRI and an PET scan to determine where the tumors are located and determine how far mesothelioma is spreading. They may also take fluid from the lung (called a Thoracentesis) to check for mesothelioma and reduce pressure on the lungs brought on by fluid accumulation.

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is made, doctors can plan treatment options to manage the disease. It is important to discuss your goals for treatment with your mesothelioma doctor. Some people choose aggressive treatment to increase their chances of survival and prolong their lives, while others prefer a more gentle approach to reduce the negative effects of treatment, such as nausea and pain.

Treatments for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The type of treatment a person receives is determined by the stage of their mesothelioma, and whether or not it's composed of sarcomatoid or epithelioid cells. Epithelioid mesothelioid cancer cells are more straightforward to remove via surgery and are more likely to be successful than the sarcomatoid cells. Some patients have a mixture of both types, and these patients generally have lower outcomes than patients with only epithelioid mesothelioma.

It is important to visit your mesothelioma physician regularly after the treatment. This will help to prevent the cancer from recurring. If it recurrs, your mesothelioma team will develop a new treatment strategy.

Some patients with mesothelioma enroll in clinical trials to test new treatments. Clinical trials enable patients to be able to access cutting-edge treatments that haven't yet been approved for general use.