Mesothelioma Cases

Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma should seek out a specialist. Doctors can offer a variety of treatment options based on the location and size of the cancer.

Women and men who have worked with asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes asbestos compensation workers, miners, railroad, auto repair and shipyard workers.

Diagnosis

A mesothelioma diagnosis requires the use of a variety of tests. Doctors look at your medical history and do an examination to look for symptoms. They also conduct tests for imaging and asbestos blood markers to diagnose mesothelioma. A tissue biopsy is the only sure method to establish mesothelioma diagnoses but it's usually not the first test that doctors conduct.

Mesothelioma is most prevalent in the pleura, or lung lining, and chest cavity. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma pleural is fluid buildup in the chest cavity, also known as pleural effusion. This can be seen on the chest CT scan or X-ray. It also helps doctors determine the best location to biopsy.

A mesothelioma-related biopsy can be done by a doctor using a needle, or through surgery. The biopsy is examined under a microscope to determine if the cells present in the sample are cancerous. The mesothelioma cells are divided into three different types, depending on their appearance under the microscope. These are epithelioid (epidermoid) and Sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) and mixed (biphasic).

Based on the type of mesothelioma you have and your symptoms, doctors may recommend a variety of scans or blood tests. A complete blood count (CBC), which examines white and red blood cell levels and platelets, is an effective test. It can aid doctors in identifying mesothelioma-related symptoms, such as elevated levels for an enzyme known as Lactate dehydrogenase.

An echocardiogram is a specialized form of ultrasound that shows how well the heart works. This is often used to diagnose pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining the heart.

A chest CT scan makes use of x-rays, computers, and a program to create an image of your lungs. It can help doctors identify mesothelioma cancers and determine how thick the tissue is.

A diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma may require a lung function test or pulmonary function tests to determine how well the lungs function. A flexible tube called a "bronchoscope" is placed into the throat or mouth and down the airway. The bronchoscope is equipped with a camera at the end and connects to a huge screen so doctors can view the lungs and other areas. The test usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma differ depending on where and what kind of cancer it is. Most mesothelioma cancers are in the pleural (meaning they are found in the lining of the lung). However, about 10 percent of cases are peritoneal, which develop in the abdominal lining. Both mesothelioma types result in difficulty breathing, coughing, chest or abdominal pain, and fatigue.

Mesothelioma is a rare condition 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 history of exposure to asbestos. This will ensure that the patient receives a prompt diagnosis.

A doctor will start with a diagnosis of mesothelioma asking about asbestos exposure prior to the diagnosis and then performing a physical examination. A chest X-ray or CT scan will be ordered to look for mesothelioma as well as other problems in the lungs or the chest wall. A blood test can also be ordered to check for the presence of certain antibodies that may indicate mesothelioma or asbestos exposure.

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

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms usually manifest as trouble breathing chest or back discomfort, and dry cough. These symptoms are often mistaken for pneumonia, bronchitis, or flu. A mesothelioma patient may also experience bloating or asbestos constipation, and unexplained loss of weight. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdomen, swelling and an feeling of fullness or a blockage in the stomach. Other signs that may occur include an appetite loss, fever and fatigue. Mesothelioma can trigger grave symptoms and even death, especially when it is at an advanced stage. Early detection is key to getting a mesothelioma diagnosis quickly and undergoing treatment as soon as you can. Consult a mesothelioma specialist If you or someone you love 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 well-versed in the disease and who can discuss their treatment goals. This is known as shared decision-making.

The doctor of the patient will request imaging tests, such as chest X-rays. These can reveal changes in the lining of the lungs, such as thickening and the buildup of fluid. They can also reveal whether the mesothelioma has spread to other organs of the body. Other tests could include a CT scan as well as an MRI and a PET (positron emission tomography) scan. Blood tests can reveal high levels of a chemicals linked to mesothelioma.

After a mesothelioma diagnosis, doctors will order an invasive biopsy. A small portion of the lining is taken to be examined using the microscope. Doctors can obtain an ossified tissue sample using VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) which is a type of keyhole surgery. It is also possible to use a CT guided core biopsy which uses an needle guided by images from the CT scan. A biopsy can determine the type of mesothelioma cell and can affect how the cancer responds treatments. Epithelioid mesothelioma cells respond the best to treatment, while sarcomatoid and mixed cell types don't.

The most common mesothelioma treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These treatments can extend the life expectancy of patients by 30-40%. Doctors may recommend immunotherapy in some cases. These medications help the immune system of the patient to fight the cancer. They can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as chemo and surgery.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should think about taking part in a clinical trial. This can result in better and more innovative treatments. These trials are conducted by scientists in order to discover new methods to treat mesothelioma, and to improve the quality of life of patients.

For people with advanced mesothelioma, the goal of treatment is to minimize symptoms and keep them under control. These symptoms include pain, breathlessness and swelling. Surgery, such as a pleural drainage, can help with breathing difficulties. For those who are unable to undergo surgery, an at-home treatment such as TTFields might be suggested.

Prognosis

Doctors can plan better treatment when they know the stage of mesothelioma. The prognosis is based on the type of cancer it is located in, the part of the body affected and the general health of the patient. Patients with advanced mesothelioma can survive less than a year after being diagnosed. Treatments can prolong the duration of survival.

Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos's sharp, loose fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lungs or abdomen. The cancer may develop as a single tumor, or spread to other tissues as it grows. In advanced stages, mesothelioma may cause fluid to build up in the chest cavity and stomach and cause coughing as well as other respiratory issues abdominal pain, swelling, and weight loss.

Doctors use a combination of tests and procedures to detect mesothelioma. They may conduct a physical exam, take a sample of a mesothelioma cancer for testing and look over a person's medical history. Mesothelioma patients usually have a history involving asbestos exposure which is a significant risk factor for this condition.

The most accurate way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis is with a biopsy, which takes the fluid or tissue from a mesothelioma and examine it for malignant cells. Doctors also test blood samples to determine whether the mesothelioma contains different types of cells. The most commonly seen cells are epithelioid, which respond well to treatment. Sarcomatoid cell, which show up in fewer instances, are more difficult to treat.

In the case of pleural msothelioma doctors may treat fluid buildup in the chest cavity by using the procedure referred to as pleurodesis. This involves the use of an agent to damage the lung lining and stop the accumulation of fluid. They can also drain the fluid by using tubes in the chest.

Doctors can't accurately predict the life expectancy of peritoneal mesothelioma patients, as this kind of cancer is usually found in the lining of the abdominal cavity. However, peritoneal mesothelioma responds well to treatment and has a higher prognosis than other forms of mesothelioma which tend to develop more rapidly.