What is Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be overwhelming. It's natural to feel shocked or confused, and even upset.

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleura which is the lung's protective wall. This cancer causes fluid to build up in the lungs which makes it difficult for the patient to breathe.

Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. The most at risk are those who have worked with asbestos, or lived with someone who has.

What is mesothelioma?

The mesothelioma cancerous form is a cancer that develops on the lining mesothelium, or the lining. The mesothelium lining covers and protects most of the organs in your body, including your heart, chest and abdomen. It is composed of two layers that create a sac, which surrounds the inner layer and organs within your body. The fluid between the layers permits organs to move freely. Mesothelioma cancer cells develop into malignant or cancerous, and they grow into and destroy surrounding tissues. They can also grow and spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body.

People who are the most at risk of developing mesothelioma include those who have been exposed to asbestos at work. Asbestos workers include builders plumbers, electricians, welders, asbestos miners, auto industry workers and others. Higher risk is also for those who live near asbestos-producing facilities like power and factories plants. Mesothelioma patients are typically exposed to asbestos for between 20 and 60 years prior to the time their illness appears.

The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the lung. This type of mesothelioma could cause chest pain, breathing issues and weight loss. It usually affects the lungs, but it may be affecting other organs such as the stomach and the heart. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be a rare type of the disease which affects the lining in the abdominal cavity. It can cause pain and difficulty eating.

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

The prognosis of mesothelioma varies on the type, location and stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis as as the general health status. Some patients are successfully treated using chemotherapy, surgery and mesothelioma radiation. Others with advanced mesothelioma will undergo experimental treatments like gene therapy or immunotherapy. In any scenario the treatment options available may significantly increase a person's longevity.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, most commonly occurs in the tissues of the chest cavity or abdomen. The cancer is caused by asbestos, which was utilized in construction, shipbuilding and energy generation as well as home renovations up until it was banned in the year 1970. Exposure is primarily due to working in the asbestos industry, but people who have cleaned up work clothing containing asbestos fibres or disturbed asbestos in home renovations may also be at risk of developing mesothelioma compensation.

Most mesothelioma patients experience general symptoms, like fatigue, weight loss, coughing with a change in frequency or intensity, chest pain, and so on. Patients should always consult their physician if they experience any of these symptoms. Tell your doctor if you have been exposed asbestos.

In the case of pleural asbestosis symptoms, they are often caused by the tumor causing fluid to accumulate within the area around the lungs. This build-up of fluid, also called a "pleural effusion", puts pressure on the lungs, making breathing difficult. The volume of fluid inside the pleural cavity is important in reducing 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 can cause a fever. The body attempts to reduce its temperature by producing sweating during the night as a response to the temperature. These symptoms are signs that cancer is advancing and is causing stress to the body.

Other signs of mesothelioma are fatigue, a swollen stomach and a difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue surrounding the heart, causing difficulty breathing and chest pain. Mesothelioma can also develop in the tissue that covers the testicles. This can lead to swelling or the appearance of a lump.

Mesothelioma is difficult to detect early since it is extremely rare. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other ailments, and can even be mistaken for flu or pneumonia. Because of this, mesothelioma symptoms can take months to years to appear before they can be properly diagnosed.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a challenging cancer to identify. Before diagnosing mesothelioma, doctors must determine if there are any other conditions with similar symptoms. After they have done this, they can decide the best treatment for you.

The first step in mesothelioma diagnosis is for your doctor to inquire about your symptoms and conduct a a physical exam. Your doctor may also order blood tests to see how well your organs are functioning. One such test is the complete blood count (CBC) that examines the amount of red and white blood cells, the extent to which your kidneys and liver are working, and other vital information. These blood tests can detect mesothelioma, however it is difficult to identify them because they look similar to normal cells.

If your doctor suspects mesothelioma is the cause, they will likely order imaging to determine the extent and the location of any fluid or growths around the abdomen or lungs. A chest radiograph is the most commonly used test, but if it does not show any abnormalities, doctors can decide to order more specific tests like an CT scan or an MRI.

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

A biopsy can give doctors an idea of the type of cancer you are suffering from. This is the only reliable method of identifying mesothelioma. The samples are analyzed under a magnifying lens to determine the kind of mesothelioma as well as the extent of the cancer's spread.

Certain doctors inject dye into a vein or perform other tests, to determine the exact location of the cancer. This is called staging mesothelioma and helps doctors determine how far the tumor has been able to spread.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the cells that line the lungs and other organs. The cells can grow beyond their limits, and eventually form tumors (masses). The cancer spreads because the cells aren't able to respond to signals that stop their growth from speeding up. It can also infiltrate blood vessels that provide oxygen to the lungs. This can cause breathing difficulties and cough.

Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by looking at 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 determine the presence of tumors. For instance, doctors may utilize chest X-rays to look for changes in the lungs, such as pleural thickening or pleural effusion. This is fluid build-up. They may also recommend CT scanning or an MRI or a PET scan to locate the site of tumors and determine the extent of mesothelioma's spread. They can also collect fluid from the lung (called a Thoracentesis) to test for mesothelioma and reduce pressure on the lungs caused by the accumulation of fluid.

Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, doctors can plan treatment to treat the cancer. It is important to discuss treatment goals with your mesothelioma doctor. Some people want aggressive treatment to prolong their life and improve survival, while others prefer moderate treatment to lessen nausea, pain and other adverse effects.

Treatments for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, surgery and mesothelioma radiation. The type of treatment that a patient receives is determined by the stage of mesothelioma and whether it's composed of epithelioid or sarcomatoid cells. The epithelioid cell is easier to remove through surgery and has a higher success rate than sarcomatoid. Certain patients have a combination of both types, and these patients usually have poorer outcomes than those with epithelioid mesothelioma only.

It is important to visit your mesothelioma specialist regularly after the treatment. This will help keep the cancer from recurring. Your mesothelioma team will come up with an updated plan in case it does recur.

Patients with mesothelioma are able to be enrolled in clinical trials for new treatments. Clinical trials allow people to gain access to cutting-edge treatments that have not yet been approved for general use.