Mesothelioma - What is Mesothelioma?
There are many conditions that can cause chest pain or shortness of breath. To diagnose mesothelioma, it is important to rule out other ailments.
Doctors conduct this by taking a sample of fluid from around the stomach or lung. They can also perform other tests such as a CT scan, MRI or PET scan.
Causes
Mesothelioma is a condition that affects the chest's tissues (pleural esothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal esothelioma), or the heart (peritoneal esothelioma). Exposure to asbestos, a material which was extensively used in construction, shipbuilding and other industries, is the primary reason for mesothelioma. Exposure to mesothelioma-causing asbestos usually happens through the inhalation of tiny fibers, which cause irritation and damage to the tissues and result in the formation of abnormal tumours. It can take between 20 and 50 years for mesothelioma development after exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is made up of a group minerals consisting of long, thin fibers that can be broken down into smaller pieces. They can easily enter the lungs, where they can be inhaled and lodged in the Pleura, which are the linings that surround the lung. These can irritate lung tissue over time and lead to abnormal tumors to form. Mesothelioma can also be caused by exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources for instance, when workers brought home fibres on their clothing and gear or contaminated materials like asbestos-containing insulation.
Shortness of breath, fatigue and coughing are common signs for mesothelioma patients. Other symptoms include weight loss, chest pain and swelling, difficulty swallowing and a painful rash that can appear like the appearance of hives. Mesothelioma, which is rare in the United States, is diagnosed between 2,500 to every year 3,000 times.
The most common mesothelioma form begins in the pleura that covers the lungs as well as the chest wall. Other types of mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum that connects the stomach, intestines and testicles.
A specialist for mesothelioma may recommend tests like xrays, CT scans, or MRI to check for signs of disease. A mesothelioma specialist, thoracic surgeon or a medical oncologist could undergo surgery or chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. In certain instances, palliative treatment is offered to ease discomfort and other symptoms. Doctors can also aid in diagnosing mesothelioma through examining symptoms and giving suggestions on how to manage them. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialist. They may refer you to an expert in respiratory medicine to examine the symptoms and look into your breathing.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms can vary, depending on the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from. This is due to the fact that the types of mesothelioma are categorized by the location and spread of the cancer.
Mesotheliomas can form in the lining around the lungs (pleura) that is lining the heart (pericardium) or lining the abdomen (peritoneum). Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing fluid accumulation and loss of weight.
Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the pleura (lung liner) and cause abnormal cells to grow. In time the cells can expand in uncontrollable ways and eventually become tumors. Mesothelioma could also affect other body parts that have similar liner. This includes the abdominal cavity and reproductive organs.
It can take a while for symptoms to appear. This can cause a late diagnosis. Most often, patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma when it is advanced and life-limiting. This is due to the latency period for mesothelioma is 20-40 years between exposure and the manifestation of cancer.
There are three treatment options for mesothelioma: surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The doctor will suggest the treatment that is best for your condition. The kind of treatment you choose depends on the stage of mesothelioma, or how far the cancer has spread.
Surgery: During a surgical procedure, doctors will remove any cancerous tissue. They may also use a combination of surgeries to treat mesothelioma. The type of surgery to be performed will depend on where the mesothelioma's site is located and how much it has spread.
Radiation: Doctors use high-energy radiation, or other forms of radiation, to stop the growth of mesothelioma cancer cells. This kind of treatment may be administered either externally or internal.
Chemotherapy: Doctors might prescribe chemotherapy pills or liquids to shrink cancerous cells or stop the spread of cancer. Chemotherapy can be used by itself or in combination with other treatments, including surgery and radiation.
If you or someone you love suffers from mesothelioma, it's crucial to visit an expert as soon as possible. Bring our no-cost Symptoms Checklist to your appointment, and speak to your doctor about your symptoms.
Diagnosis
In the past, doctors utilized various tests to determine mesothelioma. These tests include a laboratory test, a physical examination and imaging scans. They will also review a patient's medical and job history to identify any asbestos exposure symptoms.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is a physical examination by a doctor. This includes asking about symptoms and examining for lumps. The doctor will also consider the type of mesothelioma, like epithelial or Sarcomatoid. These types are based upon the cells that comprise each kind of cancer.
Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect. It is most often found in the pleura (a thin layer that lines the lungs and chest cavity). It can also affect the peritoneum which is a thin layer of tissue that runs along the stomach and intestines. A slurred breath, coughing and abdominal pain are just a few possible symptoms. In certain cases, the mesothelioma may expand to other organs like the heart.
A biopsy is the most reliable method of confirming mesothelioma. A doctor will remove mesothelioma tissue and sends it to a laboratory for testing. The lab looks for mesothelioma cells and other kinds of cancer.
If the biopsy is positive for mesothelioma, the doctors will test to determine the type of cancer cells. This helps them select the most appropriate treatment.
Other tests may include an X-ray or CT scan to look for asbestos in the lung liner, calcium deposits or indications of mesothelioma such as a pleural effusion. They can also conduct tests on blood to determine whether there are any abnormalities, such as anemia or low levels of certain antibodies, which indicate mesothelioma.
Other imaging tests include an MRI or PET scan, which uses magnets and radio waves to produce precise images of the soft tissues in the body. They can help doctors find 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 how far the cancer has spread. They can also check the lymph nodes for evidence of mesothelioma. This is done by putting an instrument into the trachea or windpipe. This procedure is referred to as mediastinoscopy, and it is performed under the influence of sedation.
Treatment
The cancer is difficult to treat since it is often diagnosed later in the process and is widely spread when it is it is discovered. The treatment aims to minimize symptoms and improve quality of life. A mesothelioma expert can help people find the right treatment program for them.
A mesothelioma doctor will have a team working together to provide treatment. The team may include a GP (general practitioner) who oversees the general health of the patient, a respiratory physician who studies the symptoms of lung diseases and treats them, an interventional radiologist who uses imaging scans to guide needles and other instruments to drain fluid or removing tissue for diagnosis and a thoracic surgeon who performs surgeries and other procedures to treat lung disorders and chest, medical oncologists who prescribe chemotherapy drugs, and a radiation oncologist who provides radiotherapy treatment.
When mesothelioma is found it is possible to have further tests carried out to determine if the cancer has what is the test for mesothelioma spread to other areas of the body. These might include an CT or MRI scan, FDG-positron emission tomography (used to look for the movement of mesothelioma cell lines) and the biopsy of a sample of tissue taken during surgery.
A patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma is likely to undergo a surgery to alleviate breathlessness caused by the accumulation of fluid. This might require a procedure known as VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) where a portion of the linings of the lung and chest wall are removed to decrease fluid build up. In certain instances it is possible to have a tube placed in the chest to drain the fluid frequently at home.
Surgery isn't required for benign mesothelioma. Doctors can use painkillers and other treatments to manage symptoms.
Clinical trials are being conducted as mesothelioma, which is rare and under investigation, is being tested. These trials could result in improved treatments for mesothelioma patients. However, the decision to participate in a study should not be taken lightly, as the risks of treatment are often very grave. It is essential that those with mesothelioma, or their families consider their options with an expert.