Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is associated with exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral. The disease usually manifests for several decades after exposure.
The treatment for mesothelioma is chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer.
There are three kinds. The stage and type of cells that compose the tumor impact the prognosis.
What is Mesothelioma?
The mesothelioma-related cancer develops in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that line organs within the body). It is caused by exposure to asbestos which is a class of fibrous minerals.
Asbestos exposure occurs when individuals swallow or inhale small fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the organ's linings they irritate and cause tumors. Mesothelioma is detected when doctors study the tumors and collect samples of the tissues, called a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified according to type based on the type of cells that are found in the tumors. The three types are epithelial biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Epithelial mesothelioma is the most frequent type that accounts for about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma makes up 10 percent of cases, and has a lower prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic Mesothelioma is a mixture of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones. It is responsible for 30-40% of all diagnoses.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing difficulties and chest pain or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, which is why it is important to see a doctor if you have them.
Treatment for mesothelioma can reduce symptoms, slow tumor growth and make it easier for patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Palliative care is available to patients and can help manage pain and discomfort.
Doctors are still looking for ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it grows. New treatments include immunotherapy which utilizes your body's immune system to fight cancer. This is an experimental treatment that has shown promise for some mesothelioma patients. Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials, which are research studies of new therapies. Patients with mesothelioma are often treated in cancer centers with specialized physicians who treat this condition.
Diagnosis
The first step to receiving treatment to extend your life is to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your doctor will analyze your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma that you have. This is crucial as the three mesothelioma primary cell types respond differently to treatment.
The first test your doctor might order is a chest X-ray or CT scan. During the procedure, you lie on tables while the Xray or CT machine creates a detailed image of your chest and the surrounding organs. A small amount of dye, most often iodine is typically administered prior to the procedure. This makes the tissues in your abdomen and chest lighter, making it easier to see. You might also be asked to perform a a breathing test during this time.
If these tests show an indication of a cancerous tumor mass, your doctor will probably request an examination for biopsy. A biopsy involves removing the mass or tumor, either surgically or by inserting needles into the area. The specimen is then analyzed under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma cells.
Our doctors can employ ultrasound to find lymph nodes that are enlarged that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial Ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy or EBNA. This procedure is done as an outpatient treatment, so you can go home the same day.
A specialist in mesothelioma will also need to know your stage of the cancer. The stages are determined by how far the cancer has spread and which type of mesothelioma it is. A mesothelioma specialist can provide you with a reliable diagnosis to ensure you receive the correct treatment.
Treatment
A patient's mesothelioma treatment plan depends on how far the disease has progressed and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients usually receive multimodal therapy which consists of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
The first step to treat mesothelioma is to undergo an examination on the body and advising the doctor about any previous exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also request blood tests and imaging scans to check for mesothelioma, and rule out other diseases. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) scans; and mediastinoscopy (used to examine and test lymph nodes inside the chest cavity).
Surgery is an option for a majority of pleural melanoma cases. Patients can undergo a minimally invasive procedure known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can improve the patient's life expectancy as well as alleviate symptoms.
Chemotherapy is a method of treatment that utilizes drugs to destroy cancerous cells and stop them from expanding. It is a standard mesothelioma therapy and can extend the time of treatment. It is available as an intravenous drip (IV) or in pill form.
Radiation is a mesothelioma therapy which can shrink tumors and kill cancerous cells. It is available at different stages of pleural mesothelioma and also to ease the pain and make patients live longer.
In the last stages of mesothelioma patients, doctors typically concentrate on controlling symptoms and prolonging a patient's life for as long as they can. Palliative treatment is the name of this kind of treatment. Although the average mesothelioma survival rate is low but there are a lot of survivors. For example paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, remained alive for 20 years before dying from complications of another illness.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms for that last for months or even years before it is diagnosed. Early symptoms may be misinterpreted as a sign of other ailments or ignored. However, if you have any of these symptoms, it's important to see your doctor right away.
The organs in your body are covered by a layer called the mesothelium. This layer prevents them from rubbing against each and rubbing against each other. Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects mesothelium- the cells that line your organs. The lining surrounding your lung is the most commonly site where mesothelioma starts. However, it may develop in the heart (pericardium) as well as in your abdomen (peritoneum), or the tissue around your testicles (tunica vulginalis).
The initial symptoms of mesothelioma can be chest pain, fatigue and breathlessness. Mesothelioma may also cause fluid accumulation in the chest wall or lungs which can cause an pleural effusion. A pleural effusion could put pressure on the lungs and cause coughing and breathing difficulties.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma following a thorough medical exam and examining the patient's history. They can request chest Xrays which can reveal signs of abnormalities, such as thickening of lung lining or a buildup of fluid in the chest wall. greeley mesothelioma attorneys can also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to take a closer look at your lung or other tissues within your body. They may also drain any fluid that collects in the pleura or the peritoneum through an ultrasound-guided aspiration procedure.
A biopsy can help determine the type of mesothelioma cell that is forming the tumor and how fast it is growing. This will allow doctors to decide on the best treatment options. The three options of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the three different types of mesothelioma treatments that are standard.
The following is a list with preventions.
Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can reduce the risk by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding them. Exposure to asbestos may cause lung cancer and other illnesses that affect organ linings. There are several types of mesothelioma, some more serious than others. Some types of mesothelioma are easier to treat.
Asbestos is made up of a group of minerals with microscopic fibers. Manufacturers employed asbestos in industrial and construction products without knowing of its dangers. Veterans and blue-collar workers were especially exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been proven as a hazard and should not reside in a residence or work in an old factory which has asbestos.
Consult your physician about regular screenings if your family has an antecedent history of exposure to asbestos. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners will reveal any issues in your lungs, abdomen or stomach. A biopsy can identify cancerous tissue in the lining of your stomach or chest. Doctors can then test a tissue sample from the same area to determine whether you have mesothelioma. It is possible that you have pleural mysothelioma that affects the lining of your lungs. Other kinds include pericardial, testicular or peritoneal.
After asbestos exposure it could take several years before mesothelioma develops. Even then, it can be difficult to diagnose. It's often misdiagnosed as a different illness or condition like lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This could prevent you from receiving the correct treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis, and are developing tests that can detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatment and a higher rate of survival. The research includes using genetic testing to identify those who are most likely to develop mesothelioma.