Mesothelioma Cancer
The majority of mesothelioma cases begin in the tissues that cover each lung. It can also begin in the stomach's lining or the heart, referred to as the peritoneum.
A mesothelioma diagnose can be scary and confusing. However, you can take charge of your treatment by requesting more information and working closely your medical professionals.
Signs and symptoms
The mesothelioma-related cancer affects the mesothelium, thin layer that protects and covers organs of the body. It is typically found in the linings of the lungs and the membrane lining abdomen. Mesothelioma can be described as a cancerous tumor that develops when cells are normally benign but become cancerous after exposure to asbestos.
Patients with mesothelioma typically experience many symptoms, with some of the most frequent being chest pain, shortness of breath and coughing. These symptoms are similar to those experienced by pneumonia which can result in incorrect diagnosis, particularly in the initial stages of mesothelioma.
Other symptoms include fever, fatigue and weight loss that is not known. These symptoms could be caused by the tumor or cancer spreading to other parts of the body, like to the heart or gastrointestinal tract.
Imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and biopsy tests can be used to detect mesothelioma. A biopsy is a procedure that involves inserting a needle in the affected area to collect a tiny sample of mesothelium to test.
The results of a biopsy can be used to determine if you have mesothelioma, and what type. It can also assist doctors determine the most effective treatment plan for you.
A biopsy is usually done under local anesthesia or sedation. However, based on the location of your mesothelioma and your health other methods of getting a tissue sample can be utilized.
Additionally, there are a number of treatments that can help reduce symptoms and improve your health, which includes palliative treatment. The aim of this treatment is to ease pain, fatigue, discomfort and other signs that are associated from mesothelioma.
It is essential to discuss all of the options available to you with your doctor. This is particularly true in the event that you've recently been diagnosed with the disease or are experiencing symptoms. Your doctor can provide you with a list of providers who are experienced in treating the disease. They can also help you in finding support groups and provide you with the information you require about the services and resources available.
Diagnosis
After a physical examination and asking you about your symptoms A doctor will determine if you have mesothelioma. They will request imaging tests, such as chest X-rays, and computerised tomography (CT) scans of the abdomen and lungs to determine if you have mesothelioma as well as other abnormalities. They may also order blood tests to check for high levels of certain substances that indicate mesothelioma.
The primary test used to determine whether pleural mesothelioma is present is the biopsy. A small amount of tissue is removed for examination under a microscope. A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist, will examine the cells to determine whether you have mesothelioma, and what kind of mesothelioma it is. Cells from pleural msothelioma can be classified as epithelioid cells or sarcomatoid cells.
If you have peritoneal mesothelioma doctors will use a different procedure to take a biopsy of your stomach tissues. They will make small cuts inside your abdomen and pass a thin tube that has cameras at the end called a laparoscope through one of the cuts. The doctor will then pass a tool through the laparoscope and collect tissue samples from any unusual-looking areas in your stomach.
These images will also be used by your doctor to determine the stage of mesothelioma and whether there has been any spread. The information from the biopsy and other test results help doctors to decide on the best the best course of treatment.
Based on the stage and type of mesothelioma, you might require surgery to remove the tumour. You may also need to have chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy following.
Palliative care is an approach which aims to ease symptoms and improve your quality of life. This may include physiotherapy or the pleural drainage procedure to ease chest pressure and prevent fluid accumulation in the lung. Your doctors will also discuss the best way to manage your symptoms, such as fatigue and pain. They will consider your age, fitness and medical history to help them plan your treatment.
Treatment
The doctors can treat mesothelioma through surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, depending on the location of the cancer and if it has spread. They may prescribe medications to ease symptoms. These medicines could be pills, injections, or drugs that are given intravenously (intravenous).
Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the cells that comprise the mesothelium, a thin membrane or sac that surrounds a few of the body's internal organs and structures including the lungs and chest cavity. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lining of the lungs and chest wall, whereas peritoneal mesothelioma affects the wall of the abdominal cavity or the membrane around the heart (pericardium).
A doctor might suspect mesothelioma from the medical history of a patient and the symptoms they are experiencing. The doctor will perform an examination of the body and may request other tests like chest X-rays or CT scanners to gain more information about the signs. A tissue sample is likely to be taken to confirm the diagnosis and determine which type of mesothelioma is present: epithelioid (which accounts for 70% of diagnoses) and sarcomatoid (which is present in 10% diagnoses) or biphasic.
If one is fit enough for surgery, mesothelioma may typically be removed surgically. The surgeon can employ a method known as minimally invasive surgery. It involves making small incisions in the skin and inserting an instrument equipped with a camera and special tools into the chest or abdomen. The surgeon can remove more tissue with this method than he would perform traditional open surgery.
The surgeon may also remove the affected area of the pleura, in addition to the lymph nodes that are located in that area and the diaphragm. This is known as extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP).
After surgery, the patient may receive a course of chemotherapy or radiation to eliminate any cancerous cells that the surgeon could not detect during the procedure. This is the usual treatment for mesothelioma patients.
Regular check-ups are recommended with a cancer specialist and family physician. The health care team will discuss the best way to follow-up that is appropriate for the individual's circumstances and goals.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma prognosis is the expected time of survival after diagnosis. It can differ widely based on the type of mesothelioma, whether it has spread and other factors like the patient's age and general health.
Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining that covers the lung (pleura). It is different from lung cancer, because it is a problem with the membrane that lines the lungs rather than the lungs themselves. In certain cases mesothelioma can develop within the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma can also be found in the membrane around the testicles (testicular mesothelioma).
It is important for patients to be aware of their mesothelioma prognosis and to seek as much information about their treatment options as they can. Patients might be shocked or upset when they receive mesothelioma as a diagnosis however it's crucial to remember that the disease is easily treated.
A diagnosis early in mesothelioma may make it easier to treat. Patients can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation or surgery to improve their prognosis and reduce the symptoms.
In many instances mesothelioma treatment can prolong life expectancy. Patients with peritoneal cancer could benefit from a combination mesothelioma testicular cancer treatment of surgery and chemotherapy.
Other factors that can influence the prognosis of a patient with mesothelioma include the speed at which the cancer spreads and the type of cancer it develops. Epithelioid cancer cells tend to grow more slowly than sarcomatoid and biphasic cells, and they respond better to treatment. People with more than one case of mesothelioma have a poorer prognosis.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma that listen to their physicians about changes to their lifestyles and treatments have a better chance of survival. Patients who exercise regularly, quit smoking, and live a healthy lifestyle can help their body cope with the disease. Additionally strategies for stress reduction as well as palliative treatment can also improve the quality of life for patients with mesothelioma. There are notable mesothelioma resurvivor cases. The paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, for instance, lived for a period of 20 years after being diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. He wrote "The Median isn't the message" in which he argued statistics such as median survival were useful abstractions but did not determine someone's fate.