Mesothelioma Cases

A specialist should be sought out by anyone who has been diagnosed mesothelioma. Doctors can offer a variety of treatment options depending on the location and size of the cancer.

Most mesothelioma cases happen in women and men who worked with asbestos-containing materials. This includes miners, asbestos compensation workers railroad workers, auto repair technicians, and shipyard workers.

Diagnosis

A series of tests are necessary to determine if you have mesothelioma. Doctors review your medical history and perform an examination to look for signs. They also conduct tests for imaging and 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 the most frequent cancer in the pleura, or lining that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity. The most common symptom of pleural mesothelioma is fluid buildup in the chest cavity, known as pleural effusion. This is visible on chest X-rays or CT scan. It helps doctors work out where to biopsy the affected region.

A mesothelioma-related biopsy can be taken by a doctor using a needle, or by surgery. The biopsy is then examined under a microscope to determine if the cells in the sample are cancerous. Mesothelioma can be divided into three types according to how the cells appear under microscopes: epithelioid sarcomatoid, and mixed (biphasic) mesothelioma.

Depending on the type of mesothelioma you have and your symptoms, doctors might recommend a variety of blood tests or imaging scanners. A complete blood count (CBC) determines the level of red and white blood cells as well as platelets. It can help doctors spot signs of mesothelioma like increased levels of an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

A specialized form ultrasound, echocardiograms show the heart's performance. This can be used to diagnose pericardial msothelioma that can affect the lining around 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 detect mesothelioma tumors as well as determine the thickness of tissues.

A diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma may require a lung function test or pulmonary function test, to see how well the lungs are functioning. This is done by having a flexible tube, also known as the bronchoscope, which is inserted into the throat or mouth, and down the airway. The bronchoscope comes with a camera on the end and connects to a huge screen so doctors can view the lungs and surrounding areas. The test lasts between 30 minutes and 60 minutes.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary based on the kind and the location of the cancer. The majority of mesothelioma cases are pleural meaning they develop in the lining surrounding the lungs (pleura). About 10% of mesothelioma cases are peritoneal and originate in the lining of the abdomen. Both types of mesothelioma may cause fatigue, chest pain, abdominal or chest pain and breathing problems.

Mesothelioma is a rare illness and many doctors may not be familiar with its signs and symptoms. Patients should bring a detailed list of symptoms to every appointment and inform their doctor of any asbestos-related exposure history. This will ensure that the patient receives a timely diagnosis.

A doctor will usually begin the mesothelioma treatment by asking about past exposure to asbestos and then conducting a physical exam. The doctor may also request a chest X-ray and CT scan to check for mesothelioma, or other issues that affect the lungs and chest wall. A blood test is required to determine the presence of antibodies that indicate asbestos or mesothelioma exposure.

If mesothelioma is identified and confirmed, a biopsy will be taken to examine the tissues under a microscope and confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy can be carried out by VATS surgery, which is a minimally invasive procedure, or with an CT-guided needle aspiration.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms usually manifest as trouble breathing chest or back pain and a dry cough. These symptoms are often mistaken for pneumonia, bronchitis, or flu. Additionally mesothelioma patients may suffer from constipation, bloating and an unproven loss of weight. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include pain in the abdomen and abdomen, swelling and an feeling of fullness or a blockage in the stomach. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever and loss of appetite. Mesothelioma can trigger severe symptoms and may even cause death, especially when it is at an advanced stage. Early detection is crucial to getting a mesothelioma diagnosis quickly and undergoing treatment as soon as you can. Consult a mesothelioma doctor if you or someone you love has experienced symptoms of mesothelioma.

Treatment

The treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Patients should choose mesothelioma specialists who are experienced with the disease and who can discuss their treatment goals. This is referred to as shared decision making.

A patient's physician will first order imaging tests, including chest X-rays. They can reveal changes in the lung's lining, such as thickening or fluid build-up. They may also show whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other parts of the body. Other tests include a CT, MRI, and PET (positron-emission tomography). Blood tests can also detect the presence of certain chemicals linked to mesothelioma.

If mesothelioma has been diagnosed doctors will request a biopsy. A small sample of the lining is taken to be examined using the microscope. Doctors can collect the tissue sample via VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) which is a type of keyhole surgery. It is also possible to use a CT guided core biopsy that makes use of a needle that is guided by images taken from the CT scan. A biopsy can identify the cell type of mesothelioma and can affect the way that the cancer responds to treatments. Epithelioid mesothelioma cells respond the best to treatment, while sarcomatoid and mixed cell types don't.

The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These can improve the patient's life expectancy by 30-40%. Doctors may recommend immunotherapy in some cases. These medications stimulate the patient's immune system to attack the cancer. They can be used in combination with other treatments, such as chemo and surgery.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma should consider participating in a clinical trial. This could lead to improved and more advanced treatments. Researchers conduct these trials to find new ways to treat the disease and improve patients' lives.

Treatment for mesothelioma with advanced stages is designed to minimize symptoms and to keep them under control. These symptoms can include breathlessness, pain and swelling. Breathing difficulties can be helped by surgical procedures like a drain for the pleura. If you are not able to undergo surgery, a home treatment such as TTFields might be suggested.

Prognosis

Doctors are able to better plan treatment when they know the stage of mesothelioma. The prognosis is based on the type of cancer and its location, as well as the part of the body affected, and the general health of the patient. Patients with more advanced mesothelioma could live less than a year after diagnosis, although treatments can prolong the duration of their lives.

Mesothelioma occurs when sharp, loose asbestos fibers irritate the linings of the lungs or abdomen. It can form as a single tumor, or spread to other tissues as it develops. In advanced stages, mesothelioma can cause fluid accumulation in the chest cavity or stomach and cause coughing or other respiratory issues, and abdominal pain swelling and weight loss.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using a combination of procedures and tests. They may perform an examination of the body, take samples of mesothelioma tumor for testing and look over a person's medical history. Mesothelioma patients often have a history involving asbestos exposure which is a significant risk factor for the condition.

A biopsy is the most reliable way to confirm mesothelioma. It collects tissue or fluids from a cancerous mesothelioma and analyzes them for malignant cells. Doctors also analyze the blood samples to determine whether the mesothelioma contains different kinds of cells. Epithelioid cells are most prevalent and respond well to treatment. Sarcomatoid cell, which is seen in less cases and is more difficult to treat.

If you are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma doctors may be able to treat the buildup of fluid in the chest cavity using a procedure called a pleurodesis. This involves scarring the lung lining using a chemical, and then stopping the fluid buildup. They can also drain the fluid with a tube in the chest.

Doctors are unable to accurately predict the life expectancy of patients suffering from peritoneal cancer since the cancer of this type develops on the abdomen's lining. But, peritoneal mesothelioma does respond well to treatment and has a better prognosis than other types of mesothelioma which tend to spread more quickly.