What is Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?
The pleura tissue covers the lungs and lines chest cavity, is the site of mesothelioma-lung carcinoma. The rare disease can affect the tissues of the heart (peritoneum) and abdomen (peritoneum), and the testicles.
Doctors utilize X radiographs and CT scans to identify mesothelioma. They may also order biopsies to collect fluid or tissues to test.
Signs and symptoms
The chest pain or breathlessness could be the first signs of mesothelioma. These symptoms are similar in several cases of pneumonia or influenza, as well as bronchitis. It is essential that anyone who is experiencing these symptoms see their doctor. The earlier cancer is identified, the easier it will be to treat.
A chest X-ray, also known as a computerized Tomography (CT) scan, is used to diagnose mesothelioma. These scans show the pleura becoming thicker or calcium deposits on lung the lining. The scan will reveal the presence of fluid in the space around the lungs. A doctor can drain this fluid, called the pleural effusion. This can help alleviate chest pain and breathing problems.
A doctor can also test a small sample from the area with mesothelioma by obtaining a small amount of tissue or fluid. These samples are examined by a laboratory in order to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma occurs more frequently in the lining of the lungs, but can be found in the membrane surrounding the heart or reproductive organs.
After a doctor confirms a mesothelioma diagnose, the next step is to determine a plan of treatment. Treatment options vary depending on the stage and type of mesothelioma.
The treatment for mesothelioma usually consists of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as well as surgery. These treatments are intended to improve the quality of life of patients, ease symptoms and prolong their lives.
The doctor will try to drain fluid from the pleura, or lungs of a patient with cancer of the pleura to relieve breathlessness and chest pain. This procedure, also known as pleurodesis involves the use of a chemical or medication to irritate the lining of the lung. It will prevent it from filling with fluid. This procedure is intended for symptomatic relief, not an effective cure.
The doctors will also discuss palliative treatment with the patient, which helps to alleviate discomfort and other signs like hunger, fatigue and weight loss. They will suggest patients eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids and will suggest exercises and relaxation techniques to help ease stress.
Diagnosis
Imaging tests are used to determine the affected region since mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs. These tests will determine the size and position of any tumors and any fluid accumulation in or around the abdomen or lungs.
If doctors suspect that a patient might have mesothelioma they will ask about the history of exposure to asbestos and any signs. The patient could be examined for physical symptoms.
It can be difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma. The initial symptoms, such as breathlessness chest pain, shortness of breath and a dry cough are similar to other illnesses. This is why mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as lung cancer or other illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis. Consequently, it can take up to 20 years before mesothelioma can be identified.
To confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma doctors perform biopsy on the affected area. This is accomplished by inserting a needle into the affected area and extracting the tissue for analysis under the microscope. Doctors can conduct a pleural biopsy by using VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery), which is a type of keyhole surgery, or CT-guided core biopsies.
Testing on fluid samples and blood can also be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests will check for high levels in blood of the substances associated with mesothelioma. This includes soluble mesothelin related peptides and Fibulin-3. A thoracentesis is used to remove fluid from the lungs, or fluid that has built up around them.
MRI and CT scans can allow doctors spot mesothelioma changes in the lungs, including calcium deposits or thickening of the lining. They can also tell if the cancer has been able to spread. This is called metastasis. These results will affect the kind of treatment recommended by a physician. In addition to these tests, doctors look at the stage of mesothelioma, as well as the general health of a patient when deciding on a treatment plan.
Treatment
You may experience symptoms such as pain or breathlessness in the chest if you have pleural asbestosis, which affects the tissue that surrounds your lungs and chest cavity. These symptoms are caused by a buildup of fluid (pleural effusion) in the lungs. If you experience these symptoms, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose, as it can take between 10-40 years before mesothelioma symptoms be evident, and it is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. It can be difficult to determine how far the cancer has spread once it is first discovered. Mesothelioma, therefore, is often treated as a palliative to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.
The treatment options available for mesothelioma are based on the type and stage of the tumor and how far it has travelled. Your doctors will design a customized mesothelioma treatment plan based on your health and symptoms.
This type of treatment is likely to include surgery, chemo and radiation. You can choose to undergo a pleurectomy, or a decortication based on your preferences and the stage of cancer. This operation removes the pleura, the thin membrane that connects the chest cavity and lungs. It also removes any visible tumors from the lungs and chest wall.
You may opt to install a chest tube in the body to drain any fluid that accumulates in the lungs or chest. You might also receive medication to reduce the risk of mesothelioma repeating. Certain patients have received gene therapy to combat mesothelioma, as well as other diseases.
Your mesothelioma treatment plan is developed by pericardial mesothelioma cancer an inter-disciplinary team. This team could comprise your doctor (general practitioner) and surgeon, pulmonologist and chest physician. The radiologist interprets mesothelioma cancer scans as well as other tests. A chest surgeon performs surgery on the lungs and chest. The medical oncologist prescribes chemotherapy and coordinates radiation treatment. A pulmonologist or thoracic doctor can insert a tube into the chest to drain fluids a few times per week, if needed.
Prognosis
The prognosis of a person diagnosed with mesothelioma depends on several factors, such as how far the cancer has spread and whether it is able to be removed surgically. It also depends on their overall health. There are many treatment options available to help patients manage their symptoms and live longer. These include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed based on the cells that make up the lining of the affected organ. To get an accurate diagnosis, doctors must look at a tissue sample under a microscope to determine the type of mesothelial cancer cells present. This is referred to as biopsy. The information is obtained by a physician with a pleural fluid sample or chest CT.
The location of the tumor is important in determining if mesothelioma is present. The most popular mesothelioma type is called pleural, and it is formed in the lining that lines the lungs. Other less well-known kinds include pericardial, peritoneal and testicular mesothelioma.
It is often difficult for doctors to identify mesothelioma since the cells that cause this disease are similar to other lung diseases. It is therefore often misdiagnosed. Patients should be aware of symptoms and discuss them with a mesothelioma specialist. They may then suggest tests to determine if a patient has mesothelioma or a different condition.
A biopsy is the main method to determine if a mesothelioma is present. The tumor is removed by a needle or VATS (Video assisted thoracoscopic Surgery) which is a type of keyhole surgery. The biopsy is examined with magnifying glasses to look for mesothelioma.
If mesothelioma is detected doctors can determine the extent of its been able to spread using a variety of tests, including CT scans; FDG-positron emission tomography, mediastinoscopy or EBUS (endoscopic biopsy of the thoracic lung). The size of the mesothelioma is also evaluated.
Palliative treatments can be used if the mesothelioma is not surgically removed. This can help manage symptoms and prolong your life as long as possible. Different treatments for maintenance, like immunotherapy and chemotherapies, can prevent the mesothelioma from growing or spreading for months or even years. Although the median survival rate for mesothelioma is very low, there are notable survivors who have outlived their prognoses. For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould survived peritoneal mesothelioma for more than 20 years after being diagnosed with the disease.