Mesothelioma - What is Mesothelioma? There are a variety of conditions that can cause chest pain or shortness of breath. To diagnose mesothelioma, it is crucial to rule out other diseases. The doctors conduct this by taking fluid samples from the lungs or stomach. They can also conduct tests like the CT, MRI or a PET scan. Causes Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is found in the tissues that connect the chest (pleural mesothelioma) abdomen or the heart (peritoneal mesothelioma). Exposure to asbestos, a chemical which was extensively employed in shipbuilding, construction and other industries, is the primary reason for mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos fibres can trigger mesothelioma. These fibres can cause tissue irritation and tissue damage and can cause abnormal tumors. It typically takes 20-50 years for mesothelioma growth to occur after exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is one of the minerals made up of long, thin fibres that can separate into smaller pieces. These fibres can easily get into the lungs and be breathed in. They may then get lodged in the pleura, the lining surrounding the lung. As time passes, they may be irritating to the lungs and may cause the formation of abnormal tumours. Mesothelioma may also be caused by secondhand asbestos exposure, such as when workers bring fibres to their homes on their clothing or equipment or from materials that are contaminated, like asbestos-containing materials. People with mesothelioma frequently suffer from shortness of breath, coughing and fatigue. Other symptoms include weight loss as well as chest swelling and pain, difficulty swallowing and an itch that is painful and can appear like the appearance of hives. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, with between 2,500 and 3,000 cases diagnosed every year in the United States. The most common mesothelioma type is found in the pleura, which covers the lungs and the chest wall. Other types of mesothelioma may develop in the peritoneum that lines the stomach, intestines, and testicles. A specialist in mesothelioma could recommend tests like xrays, CT scans, or MRI to check for signs of disease. A mesothelioma expert, a specialist in thoracic surgery, or a medical oncologist could conduct chemotherapy, surgery or radiation treatment. In some cases the palliative treatment option is available to ease discomfort and other symptoms. Doctors can also assist in the diagnosis of mesothelioma by looking into symptoms and giving suggestions on managing the symptoms. They can also refer you to specialists if required. For instance, they could refer you to a physician for respiratory issues to investigate your breathing and other symptoms, and to collaborate with your mesothelioma specialist. Symptoms The symptoms of mesothelioma can differ depending on the type. This is because mesothelioma forms are categorized by where the cancer originates within the body and how it spreads. Mesotheliomas can form in the lining of the lung (pleura) or the lining of the heart (pericardium) or the abdominal lining (peritoneum). Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and fluid accumulation, as well as weight loss. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the lung lining or the pleura, causing abnormal cells to grow. Over time these cells can turn into tumors that grow out of control. Mesothelioma can also affect other areas of the body that have similar linings, including the abdominal cavity and reproductive organs. It can take a while before symptoms begin to manifest. This could lead to a late diagnosis. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after it is advanced and life-threatening. This is partly because mesothelioma's latency time is 20-40 years between exposure and the manifestation of cancer. There are three treatment options for mesothelioma, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The doctor will recommend the best treatment for your condition. The kind of treatment you will receive will depend on the extent to which cancer has been able to spread. Surgery: In a surgical procedure doctors will remove any cancerous tissues. They can also combine surgery to treat mesothelioma. The type of surgery used depends on the location and extent of mesothelioma. Radiation: Doctors use high-energy radiation, or other forms of radiation, to stop the growth of mesothelioma cells. This type of therapy can be given externally or internally. Chemotherapy: Doctors might prescribe chemotherapy pills or liquids to shrink cancerous cells, or stop their spread. Chemotherapy is a treatment that can be used on its own or in conjunction with other treatments, like surgery and radiation. If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, it is essential to consult an expert as soon as possible. Bring our free Symptoms Checklist with you to your appointment. You can also discuss your symptoms with your physician. Diagnosis In the past, doctors utilized various tests to determine mesothelioma. These tests include physical examinations as well as lab work, and imaging scans. They will also review a patient's medical and job history to identify any asbestos exposure symptoms. The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma involves a physical examination by a physician. This involves looking for lumps and asking about the patient's symptoms. Doctors will also take down the mesothelioma type of the patient, such as epithelial, sarcomatoid or biphasic. These types are based on the cells that compose each kind of tumor. Mesothelioma is difficult to identify. It is most often found in the pleura (a thin layer that connects the chest and lungs cavity). It may also affect the peritoneum, a thin layer of tissue that lines the stomach and intestines. A slurred breath, coughing and abdominal pain are possible symptoms. In some cases, mesothelioma can expand to other organs including the heart. A biopsy is the most precise method of confirming mesothelioma. A doctor will remove mesothelioma tissues and sends it to a laboratory for testing. The laboratory tests for mesothelioma and other types of cancer. If the biopsy is positive for mesothelioma doctors will test to determine the type of cancer cells. This will help them choose the most appropriate treatment. Other tests may include an X-ray or CT scan to look for asbestos in the lung the lining, calcium deposits, or signs of mesothelioma, such as an edema of the pleural. They can also conduct tests on blood to look for abnormalities, such as anemia or low levels of certain anti-bodies, which indicate mesothelioma. Other imaging tests include an MRI or PET scan, which use magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the soft tissues in the body. They can help doctors identify mesothelioma in the lungs as well as other areas, like the diaphragm (a dome-shaped muscle which separates the chest and abdomen). They can also show the extent of the cancer's spread. They can also look for mesothelioma within the lymph nodes. what causes mesothelioma lung cancer is done by putting an instrument in the trachea or windpipe. This procedure is known as mediastinoscopy and is done under conscious sedation. Treatment Mesothelioma is hard to treat because the cancer usually develops late and spreads when it is discovered. Treatment is designed to reduce symptoms and improving the quality of life. A mesothelioma specialist can help people find the right treatment strategy for them. A mesothelioma specialist will have an entire team working together to offer treatment. The team could include a GP (general practitioner) who oversees the health of the person in general, a respiratory physician who examines symptoms and treats lung diseases and an interventional radiologist who utilizes imaging scans to guide needles and other instruments for draining tissues or draining fluids for diagnosis, a thoracic surgeon who performs surgery and other operations for lung diseases and chest, a medical oncologist who prescribes chemotherapy drugs, and radiation oncologists who provides radiotherapy treatment. If mesothelioma is detected additional tests can be done to see if it has spread to other parts of the body. This could include a CT or MRI scan FDG-positron emission imaging (used to determine the movement of mesothelioma cells) and a biopsy taken from a sample of tissue removed during surgery. A patient suffering from malignant pleural msothelioma may undergo a surgery to alleviate breathlessness caused by the buildup of fluid. This could involve a procedure called VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) which is a procedure wherein a small portion of the linings of the chest wall and lung are removed to decrease fluid accumulation. In certain instances the fluid can be drained at home on a regular basis using a tube that is inserted into the chest. Surgery is not required for benign mesothelioma. Doctors may use painkillers or other palliative treatments to treat symptoms. Since mesothelioma is a rare cancer new treatments are being evaluated in clinical trials. It is essential for patients with mesothelioma to take part in these trials in the event that they are possible, as they could lead to improved treatments. However the decision to participate in a trial is not taken lightly as the treatment risks are often very severe. This is the reason it is crucial for patients with mesothelioma and their families to discuss their options with a mesothelioma expert.
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