What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs. It usually starts in the lining of the lungs, but it could also begin in the lining around the abdomen or heart.
The doctor diagnoses mesothelioma following a thorough review of your medical records and conducting an exam. They can also search for signs of mesothelioma using CT scans and X-rays.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the mes which is a layer of tissue that surrounds and protects organs inside your body. The pleura is the most common mesothelioma-related site. It lines your lungs, chest cavity and other organs. The peritoneum is a lining that protects the abdominal cavity. Also, the pericardium forms a sac around your heart.
Symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the site where the cancer begins and how advanced it is. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma the most prevalent form of this disease that can be found in patients, include difficulty breathing, coughing and chest pain.
Pleural mesothelioma is also a cause of the lungs to become swollen with fluid or the pleural effusion. Pleural effusion can make breathing difficult, as the pleura becomes thicker and enlarges the space needed for the lungs to expand during breathing. Pleural effusion is often mistaken for other conditions like tuberculosis or chronic Obstructive pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Many people are not diagnosed with mesothelioma before it is at an advanced stage due to its lengthy latency time and resemblance to other diseases. This can greatly impact the prognosis of patients.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma is made through physical examination or imaging tests, as well as biopsy. The doctor will insert a needle into the area and remove a small amount of tissue to examine for mesothelioma cancer cells under the microscope.
These tests will help doctors determine the stage of cancer or how far it has spread. This will help determine the best treatment for you.
Surgery is the most popular treatment for mesothelioma. Doctors may also recommend chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These treatments can help shrink or kill mesothelioma cancerous cells and stop them from spreading.
Clinical trials have shown success for mesothelioma patients in certain cases. These trials test new mesothelioma treatment options with the hope of finding an effective cure. Your doctor can assist in finding a trial.
Diagnosis
Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the first step in getting treatment. Doctors follow a variety of steps to determine the severity of the disease, beginning with a physical exam and proceeding to imaging tests and lab work. They may recommend the procedure of a biopsy, which will collect fluid or tissue from the tumor for further study.
When the cells of your body's organ lining like the lining around your chest or abdomen grow in an uncontrollable and abnormal manner it is a sign that you have mesothelioma. Over time, they form masses, which are often mistaken for other cancers or illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis. The first signs are usually respiratory problems such as breathing problems or chest pressure. Mesothelioma can also affect the skin causing painful lumps known as fibrosis. It can affect the heart causing chest pain or swelling.
To diagnose mesothelioma, your doctor will recommend imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs to examine your abdomen and lung areas in greater detail. X-rays, CT scans and other imaging tests can reveal lung changes like a pleural effusion or signs of fluid accumulation in the lung. MRI scans utilize magnetic fields rather than radiation to reveal more details. They can also tell if the tumors have spread to other structures such as the heart or diaphragm.
A blood test may reveal elevated levels of certain proteins associated with mesothelioma like fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related proteins that are soluble. MRIs and CTs are a way to detect mesothelioma anywhere in the body.
If your doctor finds an accumulation of tissue or fluids in the fluid, they may order a thoracentesis (or pericardiocentesis) to check for mesothelioma. If they do find them, further tests determine if you suffer from a peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma.
The results of the lab work will help your doctor decide on the best treatment plan. The type of mesothelioma and how far it has spread will determine the prognosis. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. If you have reached an advanced stage, treatment is focused on managing your symptoms to keep you in good health for as long as possible.
Treatment
If a person is discovered to be suffering from mesothelioma, the doctors will try to control it and treat any symptoms that may arise. It is essential that patients are aware of the disease and treatment options, including prognosis, so that they can make informed choices about their treatment. It's also beneficial to have a support network in place to assist with daily tasks and appointments.
Mesothelioma affects the thin layer that connects internal organs. The exposure to asbestos is the primary cause. The disease can be found in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). It can also occur in the tissues of the heart and testicles.
The symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, itchy skin and fever. A doctor can diagnose this disease by taking a small sample of tissue or fluid from the affected area and then examining it under an instrument called a microscope. Doctors may also use imaging tests to determine how far the cancer has spread. These tests include X radiations, CT scans, and FDG-positron emission tomography. CT scans provide three-dimensional images of several organs and can also scan the chest lymph nodes. FDG-PET is a radioactive compound that can be used to identify and highlight cancerous cells. A biopsy can be done by VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a minimally-invasive procedure, or by doing a CT-guided needle biopsy under local anaesthetic.
Surgery can help improve breathing in certain cases of pleural mesothelioma, however, for cancers that are more advanced, it's unlikely to be curative. A pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) operation removes part of the lining around the lung. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is an extensive procedure which removes a lung the pericardium, and a portion of the diaphragm.
Chemotherapy involves the use of chemicals to destroy or stop mesothelioma cells. It can be administered via mouth, directly injected into a vein or a muscle, or delivered directly to the abdomen. It can be given before surgery to ease the process or after surgery to decrease the chance of cancer coming back.
Targeted therapy is a second type of treatment that targets cancerous cells without harming healthy cells. Radiation therapy can be utilized after surgery to destroy cancerous cells. New treatments, such as Tumor Treating Fields(TTFields) have also assisted in limiting mesothelioma's growth in clinical trials.
Prognosis
A patient diagnosed with mesothelioma can avail various options for treatment. A mesothelioma doctor may suggest treatment dependent on factors such as the type of cancer and where it has spread. A mistake can lead to less effective treatment and allow the cancer to have more time to grow and spread. Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma should seek a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist to avoid an incorrect diagnosis.
The prognosis for mesothelioma overall is poor. Part of this is because mesothelioma usually grows without causing symptoms for a long time and can be difficult to identify until the disease has progressed to later stages. Mesothelioma can be an dangerous cancer, and the current treatments don't work well to stop it from spreading.
The majority of the time, mesothelioma starts in the tissues that cover every lung (the Pleura). It may also begin in the lining of the stomach (peritoneum) less often. The type of mesothelioma and stage that it is diagnosed at will determine a person's life span. Epithelioid forms of mesothelioma have a better outlook than those who have sarcomatoid and biphasic types.
Asbestos exposure is a frequent risk factor. It is not clear what causes the first mutations that eventually lead to mesothelioma. Asbestos mesothelioma is a cancer caused by what is a naturally occurring mineral that was employed in a variety of industries before it was banned in the 1970s. It was mostly used in manufacturing and construction because it is resistant to fire and heat. material. People who worked in these areas are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma. This includes construction workers and shipyard workers as well as employees of power plants and other professionals who dealt with asbestos-containing materials.
Family members of someone who has been exposed to asbestos are at an increased likelihood of developing mesothelioma, too. The reason for this is that asbestos fibers can be absorbed by hair or clothing and then be brought to the home of an exposed person. These fibers can be ingested by children, spouses and other loved ones. Animals and pets may be able to track them back to their homes.