Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma when they are absorbed into the lining of some organs. It can be found on the lung's lining or stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma).
Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer. Smoking and exposure to radon in the air can increase lung cancer risk.
Symptoms
Asbestos fibres can cause irritation to healthy tissues for years when they are stuck in organ linings. In time, if the cells aren't removed they may transform into cancerous ones. This can lead to lung cancers like mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare, complicated form of cancer that affects the lining of important organs, like the lung (pleural mesothelioma) or the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
Asbestos is made up of a grouping of microscopic minerals, which were once widely used as construction materials like roofing and insulation. People who were exposed to these materials in the workplace are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Although asbestos was banned in 1999, it is still found in older buildings and homes.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take a long time to manifest. This is why they can be difficult to recognize. A visit to a GP is the first step towards diagnosing mesothelioma. They will take note of the symptoms and inquire about any asbestos exposure in the past.
If the GP suspects that the patient has mesothelioma they will refer them to a specialist. They will perform tests to determine the presence of mesothelioma and how far it has spread. The tests may include chest X-rays as well as CT scan, which will be able to spot any irregularities in the lung's lining. They may also detect any accumulation of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall, a condition known as pleural effusion.
A timely diagnosis of mesothelioma can be essential to ensure that treatment can begin as quickly as is possible. This means that the condition is more manageable and patients can live longer. If the symptoms are not recognized, they could be mistaken for another illness and misdiagnosed. The misdiagnosis of mesothelioma delays treatment, and can cause the symptoms worse. Request a free copy of our Mesothelioma Guide today for detailed details on mesothelioma's different types, symptoms and stages. It also provides you with a an array of questions to bring to your doctor, to aid them in understanding your history of exposure to asbestos.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of mesothelioma usually develop slowly over time. It may take up to 50 years for symptoms to be noticed following exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult for healthcare professionals and doctors experts to identify the condition. When symptoms do appear, they can mimic other illnesses such as pneumonia or flu. For this reason, patients should see a doctor if they think they are experiencing any unusual symptoms. Inform your doctor about any asbestos exposure you may have experienced and any prior work experience with the substance.
In the case of pleural mesothelioma doctors may use CT scans or MRIs to check the lining of the lungs (pleura) for any abnormalities. They may also check the lungs for signs of a buildup of fluid. These tests are the most likely to reveal mesothelioma pleural. It is caused from the irritation of asbestos fibers within the lining of the lungs.
The most precise method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves tissue biopsy. This allows doctors to obtain small amounts of mesothelioma and compare them to normal lung cells. This method is typically performed by inserting a needle into the chest using thoracentesis. The doctor will then take samples of the pleural liquid or other tissues to be examined in the laboratory.
These samples are analyzed under microscopes to determine if there is mesothelioma. Alternatively, mesothelioma cells can be removed from the affected region using minimally invasive surgical procedures such as video-assisted thoracoscopy or a pleuroscopy.
The doctor can provide treatment options when a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed. There are many traditional treatments available, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, while others are more experimental such as immunotherapy. Patients must discuss with their physicians the best course of treatment to increase their chances of surviving and recovery.
Mesothelioma may develop in any area of the body lining where asbestos was exposed, including the stomach, lungs (peritoneal mesothelioma), heart or testicles. The people who are most likely to contract the disease are those who were exposed to asbestos in a work environment. Exposure to asbestos can be caused when asbestos is cut, sanded or broken down and airborne asbestos fibers are released. People who work in the shipbuilding industry, construction or asbestos mining are most at risk.
Treatment
The chest is where the majority of mesothelioma-related lung cancer symptoms begin. Asbestos fibers can enter the lungs via airborne particles. The tiny fibers then travel to the inside of the chest cavity (pleura) the abdomen (peritoneum) or heart or testicle, and continue to irritate healthy cells and cause them to grow into cancerous cells over time.
Asbestos exposure is believed to be the primary cause of mesothelioma. People who have worked in occupations with asbestos, especially those who were involved in shipbuilding, the construction of power stations or buildings are at the greatest risk. Additionally, those who have served in the military are at a greater chance of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that asbestos was used extensively in all branches of the United States Armed Forces.
The exposure to asbestos can result from exposure to asbestos via secondhand exposure like when employees took asbestos fibers home on their hair or clothing. This put their spouses, children and other family members at risk of developing mesothelioma in later life.
Unfortunately, the signs of mesothelioma may be difficult to diagnose as they are similar to other illnesses. Furthermore, the disease's lengthy duration of latency means that the majority of people do not receive a diagnosis until it has reached advanced stages.
After a patient has been diagnosed with mesothelioma might conduct tests to determine the type and stage of the cancer. This could include chest CT scan or PET scan. Doctors can also request samples of fluids to take mesothelioma tumor cells from the affected part of the body.
If the cancer has progressed to its apex patients could be eligible for a variety of treatment options. Patients suffering from mesothelioma can undergo radiation therapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy, depending on the stage.
There is no cure for mesothelioma. However treatments can enhance the quality of life for patients and prolong their lives. However, mesothelioma is still considered to be extremely painful and invasive. If you've been diagnosed with Mesothelioma it is important to consult an experienced physician regarding your treatment options.
Prognosis
The mesothelioma outlook is contingent on the kind of cancer and how far it has spread. A person diagnosed with mesothelioma affecting the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) has a better prognosis than those who have mesothelioma in other locations, such as the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or around the testicles and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is also dependent on the patient's age. Patients who are younger are healthier and have a wider range of treatment options. They also have a higher chance to live longer than older patients who might be suffering from other health conditions or co-morbidities at the time of diagnosis.
Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. These are microscopic, and if an asbestos-contaminated product wears out or breaks down, the tiny fibers can be released into the air. People breathe them in, and they can cause irritation to the tissues that line mesothelioma va claims and protect vital organs, including the lungs and the chest cavity. As time passes this irritation can cause genetic damage and transforms normal cells into cancerous ones.
The most commonly used form of mesothelioma, pleural mesotheliom that develops in the lung lining and chest cavity called the pleura. People diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma usually work in industries that employ asbestos, such as shipbuilding and construction. They may have been directly exposed, or they could have consumed asbestos fibers from a loved-one who worked with it.
A mesothelioma diagnosis is usually determined by chest X-ray and tissue biopsy. It's important that patients see their GP and discuss any asbestos exposure history with them, since this could lead to a faster mesothelioma diagnosis.
A tissue sample is taken to look for mesothelioma cells, which can be either epithelioid or sarcomatoid. Epithelioid is the most common type, accounting for around 70 percent of mesothelioma cases. It responds well to treatment. The other kind known as sarcomatoid is less responsive and has a less favorable prognosis.
Certain kinds of surgery can improve the prognosis of mesothelioma, including a procedure that prevents the build-up of fluid in the lungs by making the outside of the lungs stick to the inside (pleurodesis). Other surgeries involve draining pleural fluid regularly from the chest at home with an incision into the chest cavity.