What is Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?
Mesothelioma lung cancer can be found in the pleura tissue, which is a protective layer for the lungs and lines the chest cavity. This rare condition can affect the tissues of the heart (peritoneum) as well as the abdomen (peritoneum) and the testicles.
Doctors employ X radiations and CT scans in order to detect mesothelioma. They may also request an incision to take tissue or fluid samples for testing.
Signs and symptoms
Breathlessness or chest pain may be the first signs of mesothelioma. These symptoms are similar to symptoms of many diseases, such as pneumonia flu, bronchitis and influenza, so it's important for anyone experiencing these symptoms to consult their physician. The earlier cancer is discovered the easier it will be to treat.
A chest X-ray, or a computerized Tomography (CT) scan, is used to detect mesothelioma. The scans reveal the pleura becoming thicker or calcium deposits on the lung the lining. The scan can also indicate the amount of fluid that is accumulating in the lung space. This fluid, referred to as pleural effusion, can be drained by a doctor to alleviate breathing difficulties and chest pain.
A doctor may also test a small sample from the area that has mesothelioma, by taking a small amount of tissue or fluid. These samples are examined by a lab to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is more common in the lining surrounding the lungs, however it can also occur in the membrane that surrounds the organs of reproduction or the heart.
Once doctors have confirmed a mesothelioma diagnosis, the next step is to choose the treatment plan. The treatment options will differ depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma.
Treatment for mesothelioma typically includes chemotherapy treatment, radiation therapy or surgery. These treatments are intended to improve the quality of life of patients, relieve symptoms and extend their survival.
The doctor will attempt to eliminate fluid from the pleura, or the lungs of patients suffering from cancer of the pleura to ease chest pain. This procedure, also known as pleurodesis, involves the use of a chemical or drug to scare the lining of the lungs. It stops it from filling up with fluid. This is only for the relief of symptoms not a cure.
The doctors will also discuss palliative care with the patient, which aids to alleviate discomfort and other signs like weight loss, fatigue and weight loss. They will recommend patients to eat healthy and drink plenty of liquids, and recommend exercises and relaxation techniques that alleviate stress.
Diagnosis
Because pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's lining The doctors utilize imaging tests to find and locate the affected area. These tests will determine the size and position of any tumors as well as any fluid accumulation in or around the abdomen or lungs.
If doctors suspect a person might have mesothelioma they will ask them about their history of exposure to asbestos and any symptoms they may be experiencing. The patient could also undergo an examination.
It is often difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma. Early signs like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a dry, cough are similar to those experienced by many other illnesses. Mesothelioma may be mistakenly identified as lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. It can take as long as 20 years to identify mesothelioma.
To confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma doctors take a biopsy of the affected area. This is accomplished by inserting a needle into the affected region and extracting an amount of tissue that is then examined 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.
Tests on fluid samples and blood can be used to diagnose mesothelioma. These tests look for high levels in the blood of substances that are associated mesothelioma. These include mesothelin-related peptides that are soluble and Fibulin-3. Thoracentesis is a procedure used to remove fluid from the lungs or to remove fluid that has accumulated around them.
MRI and CT scans help doctors detect mesothelioma in the lung. They can detect changes such as calcium deposits, or thickening the lining. They can also determine if the cancer has spread, which is known as metastasis. The results will influence the type of treatment that the doctor recommends. In addition to these tests, doctors will look at the stage of mesothelioma and a person's general health in making a decision on a treatment plan.
Treatment
You may experience symptoms such as pain or breathlessness in your chest if you suffer from pleural asbestosis, which affects tissue that line your lungs as well as the chest cavity. These symptoms result from a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). Consult your physician when you notice these symptoms.
Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose, as it can take between 10 and 40 years for mesothelioma-related symptoms to appear, and it is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. When cancer is first discovered it can be difficult to determine just how far it has expanded. Because of this, mesothelioma is often treated at palliative stage to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Treatment options for mesothelioma are dependent on the stage, type, and location of the tumor as well as how far it has spread. Your doctors will create an individual mesothelioma treatment program that is based on your health and symptoms.
This treatment will likely involve chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. You can choose to undergo a pleurectomy, or a decortication according to your preference and the stage of cancer. The procedure removes the thin membrane that protects the chest cavity and lungs, called the pleura. It also removes any visible tumors that may be present in the lungs as well as the chest wall.
You may opt to have a chest tube placed inside the body to drain any fluid that builds up in the lungs or chest. You could also be prescribed medication to lower the risk of mesothelioma returning. Certain patients have received chemotherapy to fight mesothelioma and other cancers.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists will create your mesothelioma treatment plan. This team might include your GP, the pulmonologist (lung specialist), surgeon, oncologist, radiologists and an a chest physician. The radiologist interprets the mesothelioma scans and other tests. A chest surgeon is a surgeon who performs surgery on the lungs and chest. The medical oncologist prescribes chemotherapy and coordinates the radiation treatment. A pulmonologist or thoracic surgeon can insert a tube into the chest to drain fluids a few days a week, if needed.
Prognosis
A person's mesothelioma prognosis will be based on a variety of factors, including how much the cancer has spread and whether it can be removed surgically and asbestos related cancer mesothelioma their overall health. There are many treatments that can help control symptoms and prolong the life span. They include chemotherapy and surgery.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed by the cells that form the lining of the affected organ. To get an accurate diagnosis, doctors must look at the tissue under a microscope in order to determine the type of mesothelial cancer cells that are present. This is referred to as a biopsy. Doctors can make use of an pleural fluid sample, or a chest CT scan to collect the information.
The location of the tumor is important in determining if mesothelioma is present. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lung's lining, and it is the most frequent type of this cancer. Other less frequent types include peritoneal, pericardial and testicular mesothelioma.
It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma since the cells that cause this disease are similar to other lung diseases. This is why it is often misdiagnosed. Patients should be aware and discuss their symptoms with a specialist for mesothelioma. They can then recommend tests to determine if a patient has mesothelioma, or another type of cancer.
A biopsy is the most effective method of confirming a mesothelioma. The tumor is removed with a needle, or VATS (Video assisted thoracoscopic Surgery) Keyhole surgery. The biopsy is then examined under a microscope to search for mesothelioma-like cells.
If mesothelioma is detected doctors can determine the extent to which it has spread by using a combination of tests, such as CT scans; FDG-positron emission tomography; mediastinoscopy; or EBUS (endoscopic biopsy of the thoracic lung). The extent of the mesothelioma is also determined.
If the mesothelioma cannot be removed surgically, treatments such as palliative treatment can be utilized to manage symptoms and prolong the life of as long as it is possible. Treatments for maintenance, such as immunotherapy and chemotherapy can stop the mesothelioma growing or spreading over time. Although the median survival rate for mesothelioma can be low, there are some notable survivors who have lived beyond their expectations. Stephen Jay Gould, a paleontologist, fought off peritoneal msothelioma for over 20 years following his diagnosis.