Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer associated with exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral. The disease typically develops years after exposure.
The treatment for mesothelioma is chemotherapy radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Treatment can help patients live longer.
There are three types of mesothelioma. The type of cell makes up the tumor and its stage determines the prognosis.
What is mesothelioma?
richmond mesothelioma lawyer in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that encloses organs inside). It is caused by asbestos, which is a grouping of fibrous minerals.
The exposure to asbestos typically occurs when people inhale or swallow stray asbestos fibers. The asbestos particles stick to organ linings and can cause irritation, which then causes tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma is able to be made by doctors after they examine the tumors, and collect a tissue sample, also called a biopsy. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the kind of cells are located in the tumors. The three types are epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Epithelial Mesothelioma comprises about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is 10 percent of all cases, and has a less favorable prognosis than the epithelial form. Biphasic mesothelioma consists of epithelial and Sarcomatoid cells, which can be found in 30% to 40 percent of all diagnoses.
The signs of mesothelioma could include breathing difficulties and chest pain or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, and it is imperative to see the doctor if you experience them.
Treatment for mesothelioma can improve symptoms, slow tumour growth and allow patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Palliative care is available for patients and helps to manage discomfort and pain.
Doctors continue to explore ways to treat mesothelioma and how it can spread. New treatments include immunotherapy which utilizes your body's immune system to fight cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise for certain mesothelioma patients. Patients can also take part in clinical trials, which are studies of new therapies. Mesothelioma patients are typically treated in specialist cancer centers where they are able to access doctors who have experience treating the condition.
Diagnosis
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be the first step towards receiving treatment that can extend your life. Your doctor will look over your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma you have. This information is important because the three main mesothelioma cells types respond differently to treatment.
The first test that your doctor might order is an X-ray of your chest or CT scan. In this test, you lie on a table while the X-ray or CT machine produces a precise image of your chest and the organs around it. A small dose of a dye, typically iodine, is usually administered prior to the procedure. The dye makes the tissue in your chest or abdomen lighter and makes it easier to observe. During this time, you may be asked to complete an exercise to test your breathing.
If these tests show the possibility of a cancerous tumor or mass your doctor will likely order a biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of an area of tissue from the tumor or mass via surgery or by inserting an needle into the area. The specimen is then examined under a microscope, looking for mesothelioma cell.
In some instances our specialists utilize ultrasound to help find lymph nodes that have enlarged, which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. This procedure is carried out as an outpatient procedure, meaning you are able to return home the same day.
A mesothelioma specialist will also be able to determine the stage of mesothelioma. The stages are determined based on how far the cancer has spread and what type of mesothelioma you have. A precise diagnosis from a mesothelioma expert is the best way to make sure that you get the right treatment.
Treatment
The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients is based on how far the disease has advanced and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients typically undergo multimodal therapy, which is a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
The first step in treating mesothelioma is to undergo physical examination and advising your doctor about any asbestos exposures you have had in the past. Doctors may also recommend blood tests or imaging scans to determine if mesothelioma is present and rule out any other ailments. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans; FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission tomography) scans; and mediastinoscopy (used to look at and sample lymph nodes in the chest cavity).
Surgery is a viable option for the majority of pleural mysothelioma cases. A patient may undergo a minimally invasive procedure known as video-assisted surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can increase the patient's life expectancy as well as reduce the symptoms.
Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancerous cells and prevent their growth. It is standard mesothelioma treatment and can improve survival. It is available in intravenous (IV) drip or pill form.
Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment that shrinks tumors and kill cancerous cells. It is available at various stages of pleural mesothelioma, in addition to helping to relieve pain and allow patients to live longer.
In the late stages of mesothelioma treatment, doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to prolong the lifespan of patients as long as is possible. Palliative treatment is the name for this type of treatment. Although the average mesothelioma survival rate is very low but there are a lot of survivors. For instance, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, remained alive for 20 years until he passed away from complications from another illness.
Symptoms
Many patients with mesothelioma experience symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. The early symptoms are similar to those caused by other conditions and it's easy to ignore or confuse them for minor illnesses. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see your doctor immediately.
The organs in your body are surrounded by a layer called the mesothelium. This layer protects them from touching each the other. Mesothelioma can affect the mesothelium cell that make up the lining of several of your organs. The majority of cases of mesothelioma occur in the lining that surrounds your lungs, however it may also be found in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around your testicles (tunica vaginalis).
The earliest symptoms of mesothelioma are often breathlessness as well as chest pain and fatigue. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid buildup in the lungs or chest wall, resulting in an effusion in the pleura. A pleural effusion could create pressure on the lungs, causing coughing and difficulty breathing.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough medical exam and taking the patient's medical history. They can request chest Xrays which can reveal signs of abnormalities like thickening of the lung lining or a buildup of fluid in the chest wall. They may also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to have a more detailed look at your lungs or other tissues. They can also use ultrasound-guided needles for draining fluid from the pleura and peritoneum.
A biopsy can help identify the mesothelioma type that is forming the tumor, and how it is growing. This will allow doctors to determine the best treatment options. The three main types of mesothelioma treatment are radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy.
Prevention
Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can reduce the risk by avoiding those who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding them. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer and other illnesses that affect organ linings. Many types of mesothelioma exist and some are more dangerous than others. Some types are easier to treat than others.
Asbestos is made up of an assortment of minerals with microscopic fibers. Manufacturers employed it in the construction industry as well as other industrial products, without knowing about the dangers it poses. Blue-collar workers and veterans were especially exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be dangerous and you should not reside in a residence or work in an old plant which has asbestos.
If you have any history of exposure to asbestos, speak with your doctor about undergoing regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can reveal problems in your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy may also help identify an abnormality in the lining of your chest or stomach. Doctors can then examine the tissue samples from the same area to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma. There is a chance that you have pleural mesothelioma which affects your lung's membrane. Other types include testicular, pericardial or peritoneal.
After exposure to asbestos It can take a number of years before mesothelioma is diagnosed. Even then, it can be difficult to recognize. It is often mistakenly diagnosed as a different illness or condition such as lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This could hinder you from receiving the proper treatment. Researchers are trying to improve diagnosis and create tests that detect mesothelioma sooner. This could result in better treatments and a better survival rate. Genetic testing is used to determine those most likely to develop the disease.