Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma spent years working in industries where they were exposed to asbestos before it was banned. The people most often exposed asbestos include construction workers, shipyard workers and navy veterans.
The condition is extremely rare but doctors are able to test for it if they think you might have it. The tests will help doctors determine the stage of mesothelioma and what treatments may work best for you.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of certain organs. The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary based on its type, but they include fatigue, weight gain, and breathing difficulties. These symptoms can appear in the lungs or other regions of the body. They can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years before they show, which means the disease is often incorrectly diagnosed. The symptoms could be mistaken for other illnesses such as flu or pneumonia.
Asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma. It can be a problem for the abdomen, lungs or testicles. People with an asbestos-related history are more at risk of developing this type of cancer. It most commonly affects those who been in high-risk professions like shipbuilding, construction, and automobile repair. It can also occur for those who worked with relatives or friends who were exposed to asbestos.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to inform your doctor about your asbestos exposure. They will run tests of your blood to evaluate your overall health and determine if asbestos has impacted your cells. They may also do scans using x-rays to find any anomalies, like an increase in fluids in your chest or abdomen.
If the doctor suspects that mesothelioma is present the doctor will likely collect tissue samples from the area in the question. They will then send the sample to a lab for testing. The results will help the doctor diagnose and stage mesothelioma. There are four stages of mesothelioma with stage 1 and stage 2 being the first. The cancer is not extremely advanced and can be treated easily.
Mesothelioma is classified into three types based on the cell type that develops. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common form and accounts for 70% of diagnosed cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma accounts for about 15 percent of cases and is more difficult to treat than epithelioid. Mixed or biphasic mesothelioma contains epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cells and occurs in 10% to 15% of cases. This type is more aggressive than the other two types and has a poorer prognosis.
Diagnosis
Patients who exhibit symptoms of mesothelioma must see their doctor as soon as they can to get an official diagnosis. The doctor will conduct a physical examination and will note the history of asbestos exposure for the patient. They may also request an examination of the blood and imaging scans of the chest and abdomen. Imaging tests can help doctors identify any abnormalities and determine the site of the cancer.
A pleural tumor is usually found in the lining (pleura) of the lung or the space between the lungs and the chest wall (pericardium). The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, chest pain, and breathing difficulties. Patients may also experience swelling or pain in the testicles.
X-rays or CT scans are used to detect any calcium deposits in the pleura. They can also aid doctors pinpoint the source of the mesothelioma and rule out other conditions like pneumonia or lung cancer. MRI and PET scans are more accurate than X-rays, and can be used to identify mesothelioma cancerous cells, tumors and any inflammation or accumulation of fluid in the region.
A biopsy can be performed when abnormalities are discovered on an imaging test. A small sample of tissue is taken from the area affected and examined under a microscope to determine if mesothelioma has been identified. A biopsy can be done surgically or through an injection into the chest cavity.
In addition to taking a biopsy, doctors may utilize a variety of other tests to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease. They can also perform a procedure called thoracentesis, in which they drain excess fluid from the lung space and chest wall.
Doctors may also conduct a blood test to check for asbestos-specific antibodies. These could indicate mesothelioma. This is not a reliable blood test and may be misinterpreted as other diseases. The signs of mesothelioma may be misinterpreted to mean other diseases such as cancer or pneumonia. It can take years for the disease to show. This is why it is crucial for those with asbestos exposure to undergo regular health screenings.
Treatment
Mesothelioma happens when cancerous cells develop in the tissues that surround organs. It usually develops in the lining of the lungs (pleura) but can also develop in the abdomen's lining or chest wall as well as the lining surrounding the heart or peritoneum and the tissue around the testes.
Exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a class of minerals that has microscopic fibers which resist heat, fire and electricity. Asbestos was mined and utilized widely in the shipbuilding, construction and automobile repair industries before the late 1980s. Workers exposed to asbestos brought the fibers to their homes on their clothes where they could be breathed in by family members. The military was also exposed to asbestos, as the minerals are used widely by all branches of the US forces.
When mesothelioma is discovered treatment options are aimed at remove the tumor and reduce symptoms. These treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments are usually handled by medical professionals in a team. The team could include a GP, Pulmonologist (lung specialist) and a thoracic surgeon and an interventional radiologist. Medical oncologists prescribe and coordinates chemotherapy. a radiation oncologist provides or supervises radiation therapy.
A biopsy is the main method of diagnosing mesothelioma of the pleural region. It involves draining fluid from the affected area and taking an examination of the tissue under a microscope. The biopsy can be done through a surgical procedure referred to as VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic operation) or using an instrument that guides the needle using CT scan.
The surgeon can remove the tumors in the early stages before they grow. This could help cure the patient. Surgery can also reduce symptoms if mesothelioma has developed in the later stages.
Doctors prescribe chemotherapy drugs to destroy cancer cells throughout your body. They sometimes combine this with surgery and radiation therapy. Patients with peritoneal and mesothelioma are the most likely to receive this type of treatment.
Prognosis
Patients suffering from mesothelioma lung cancer have a long and difficult battle however, treatment can prolong their lives and put them into Remission. The most aggressive surgeries like EPP, P/D or the cytoreduction procedure with HIPEC can stop cancers from recurring and can slow the development of new ones. Therapies for maintenance can keep cancer cells in check and help stabilize the patient's health.
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, develops in tiny layers of tissue that covers the majority of the internal organs of the body. The most prevalent kind, pleural cancer affects the tissue lining (pleura) of the lung. Mesothelioma may also develop in the linings of the stomach (peritoneum) and the heart, as well as the testicles.
Asbestos can be ingested or inhaled by people using many different methods. In the manufacturing and mining process, asbestos breaks down into tiny fibers that can be breathed in or ingested. Asbestos fibers, when inhaled, can cause irritation, scarring, and cellular damage. These abnormalities may result in mesothelioma. This is the most common type of lung cancer that is associated with asbestos exposure.
Symptoms of mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer may resemble the symptoms of other diseases like pneumonia or bronchitis, so it is crucial to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Doctors can utilize chest X-rays to determine if there is a mass or a buildup of fluid in the lung. They might also require you to undergo a biopsy in order to determine if you have mesothelioma.
A biopsy is the act of taking a small sample of tissue and then examining it under microscopes to determine if there are cancerous cells. Doctors can inject a needle into the area affected or perform surgery to remove a small portion of the tumor. The doctor will also take into consideration your personal history and work history. A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma can delay treatment.
A mesothelioma expert at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center can help create an effective treatment plan for you. Our skilled doctors will work with your GP or pulmonologist to establish a precise diagnosis and coordinate your treatment. We can refer you to an oncologist who will prescribe chemotherapy and radiation. We also offer palliative treatments to ease discomfort and pain.