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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs and, in rare cases the tissues surrounding the heart and abdomen. The primary reason for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers may get stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. The result is that cells turn into cancerous mesothelioma cells. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, affects tissues which line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to undergo a change and form mesothelioma tumors. Most cases of mesothelioma are located in the lung. It can also occur in the tissues of the heart, abdomen and testicles. The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath as well as chest pain and coughing. Some patients also feel abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms are similar to many other illnesses and can be difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stages of mesothelioma. The symptoms of mesothelioma may not manifest for years or even decades following asbestos exposure. A physical exam and a patient's health history are the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. To determine the severity of symptoms doctors may recommend imaging tests and blood tests. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography). X-rays may reveal a mass or fluid that isn't normal in the lung. These scans can assist the doctor determine the location of the mesothelioma and the kind of mesothelioma. The two main types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up around 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid. Most patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma have a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and difficulty breathing. People with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart tone or a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum. The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample, or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma also determines the way a doctor treats the disease. For instance when a patient has mesothelioma pericardial doctors may remove excess fluid using pleurodesis, a procedure that is known as pleurodesis, or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy. Diagnosis The mesothelioma-related cancer develops on the linings of organs. The disease is most prevalent in the lungs, however it can also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes. The signs of mesothelioma may appear between 10 and fifty years after the initial exposure. Because of reading asbestos attorneys , many patients are misdiagnosed. This condition is often mistakenly referred to as other, less serious illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This can result in a delay in treatment that can reduce a patient's chance of survival. Anyone who suspects mesothelioma should visit their doctor immediately. During this first visit, doctors review the patient's entire medical history to determine signs and other factors that might make them more likely to have mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos or other asbestos-containing substances, as well as the nature and duration of exposure. The doctor will then request imaging tests for the abdomen and chest to determine if there are signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs are all able to reveal changes in the lungs, including the thickness of the pleural wall or the accumulation of fluid. They can also tell the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other parts of the body. A doctor may also request a blood test to see whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances that are related to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation known as a thoracentesis. It involves the removal of a small amount of the fluid surrounding the lungs to search for cancerous cells. If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed the biopsy procedure will be taken to look at a small piece of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle-guided CT scan may be used to carry out this procedure. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are best for the patient. This can include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Some patients will also opt to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form can improve the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life. Treatment Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects the tissues which line and protect organs, such as the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or heart or testicles. Although mesothelioma is not curable, it can be treated, treatment can help control symptoms. Your doctor will ask you about your medical background and will look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about asbestos exposure because it is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to get trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach or the heart. This causes inflammation over time, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Blood tests and imaging tests are used to identify mesothelioma. Your doctor uses chest X-rays to determine if there is fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Your doctor will recommend an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) to obtain precise images. They may also perform the needle biopsy to collect an in-situ sample of the affected tissue. A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will examine the mesothelioma tissues under a microscope to detect cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma you suffer from. To make the diagnosis, the doctor will stain the tissue sample with a dye that lights up when certain types of proteins are present. The doctor will then employ an instrument to magnify the tissue. Mesothelioma may be difficult to diagnose as the mesothelioma cells look like other types of cell within the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis by performing other tests. These tests include an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3, or mesothelin related protein that is soluble. Your care team will decide on mesothelioma treatments based on the kind of cancer you have and how advanced it is. The most popular mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stages, you may also receive palliative care to ease discomfort and other symptoms. Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and the stage of cancer, and other factors such as the patient's age and general health. Patients should work with knowledgeable doctors to find out more about their treatment options. Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that line vital organs and protect them. The asbestos fibers are breathed in or eaten, and can cause genetic changes and inflammation that transform normal cells into mesothelioma cancers. The most common mesothelioma types are the pleural (which forms on the lung linings or chest cavity) and abdomen) mesothelioma. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend that a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves the removal of the tissue to be examined. The doctors can compare the biopsy samples against a database in order to determine the most likely mesothelioma type. This information will help them predict a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy and treatment plan. Mesothelioma cells are classified into three categories: epithelioid, epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each mesothelioma grows at a different pace and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid cancer makes up 60 to 80 percent of all cases and has a better survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid. It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma develop after exposure to asbestos. Therefore, many patients don't get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they show signs of. Exposure to asbestos should be disclosed to a physician and the victims should be checked regularly. During these visits, doctors can examine for signs of exposure to asbestos, such as lung scarring or other respiratory problems. They can also conduct simple blood tests to determine the patient's health. If the results indicate that an individual is at a the highest risk of developing mesothelioma they can schedule additional tests to receive a prognosis. This may include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound, as well as a lung function test and an chest MRI or PET scan.