Mesothelioma Asbestosis

The symptoms of asbestosis and mesothelioma may be similar. Both are caused by exposure to Asbestos legal fibers and dust.

Pleural mesothelioma is treatable with chemotherapy, surgery or radiation. The four stages of mesothelioma reveal the extent of cancer's spread. Doctors make use of staging to determine treatments and life potential.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It usually affects the lung lining as well as the chest cavity (pleura), but can also affect the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or around the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma is malignant, meaning it has the potential to grow and spread beyond the site of origin.

The first symptom is often a cough that doesn't produce Phlegm. Other symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue and weight loss. In some instances patients, there is lumps or swelling in the abdomen.

If a patient experiences these symptoms, their doctor may refer them for specialized treatment. The specialist will perform several tests to check if mesothelioma or other cancers are the reason. They will employ imaging scanners to look inside stomachs, lungs, or heart and perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

In the case of pleural mesothelioma there are two major surgical options. An extrapleural pneumonectomy removes part of the lung affected, including the diaphragm, as well as a part lining the heart. A pleurectomy and pulmonary decortication removes only the pleura, but not the whole lung. Chemotherapy and radiation are both options. The former directs high-energy X-rays towards cancerous cells to kill them, and the latter makes use of drugs such as pemetrexed and carboplatin to kill cancerous cells or slow their growth.

Patients should inform their doctor about any history of asbestos exposure. This is important because mesothelioma can be diagnosed as early as 20 years after initial exposure. The doctor will inquire about the frequency of exposure and the duration of the exposure, as these factors could influence the symptoms of development.

If the GP suspects mesothelioma, they'll arrange a CT scan to determine how far the cancer has spread in the body. If mesothelioma has spread to the lung, they'll perform a bronchoscopy examine the airways of the lungs and lymph nodes. In certain instances the doctor might recommend a chest MRI or PET-CT scan to determine if the cancer has developed into the heart.

Diagnosis

The most reliable way to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is to collect a tissue or fluid sample. This sample is used by doctors to check for cancerous cells that are different from normal ones. A biopsy can be done by needle or surgical procedure. To detect mesothelioma in patients, doctors may use imaging tests such as CT scans and x-rays. They may also do a positron emission tomography (PET) scan which can be used to identify cancerous cells that have been spreading.

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. For example, the chest pain associated with mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as lung cancer or heart disease. In addition, the asbestos-related condition known as pleural effusion may be mistaken for pneumonia or bronchitis.

If doctors suspect that a patient has mesothelioma, they will inquire about the patient's prior exposure to asbestos, as well as the symptoms. The doctor will also perform a physical examination and ask about the medical history of relatives. The doctor will then conduct blood and urine tests to check for elevated levels of certain proteins. These tests can be done at the hospital or at home.

These tests can help doctors determine the level of asbestos in the body as well as how well other organs are functioning. They will also want be aware of whether the patient has had any prior surgeries. A chest x-ray and a CT scan are also done to look for signs of mesothelioma like a thickening or swelling of the membrane that surrounds the lung.

Doctors usually conduct an echocardiogram, which utilizes sound waves to produce a picture of the heart if they suspect that a patient is suffering from pericardial mesothelioma. In cases of pleural msothelioma an MRI scan could be beneficial, as it provides detailed images of the soft tissues. They can also perform mediastinoscopy. This involves placing a tube with a light and camera inside the chest to study and sample lymph nodes in the center of the chest. This is particularly helpful if the mesothelioma has spread to these areas.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a respiratory disease that is slow-moving. However there are treatments available that can ease the symptoms and improve your quality of life. Doctors may use methods for fluid drainage, medications or surgeries, or a combination of methods to relieve fatigue and lung pain. Doctors can also assist patients deal with their lack of energy and how it affects their daily lives.

The first step to treat mesothelioma is to determine whether cancerous cells are present. A biopsy is the best way to find out. During the biopsy, doctors take a small sample of mesothelium, and examine it under a microscope in order to determine if there are any cancerous cells. A biopsy is usually done by surgery, however, doctors can also perform a procedure called thoracentesis. This involves inserting a needle in the chest to remove an amount of fluid to be tested.

Once the test results are available, a surgeon may decide to take out any parts of the body that are affected by mesothelioma asbestosis. This is usually done for pleural mesothelioma, however, it can be performed to treat peritoneal mesothelioma as well. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs (pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled and then trapped in the digestive tract.

Patients can take steps after surgery to increase their comfort. These include taking breaks earlier in the day, planning excursions to the mall and other activities when they are feeling stronger, and participating in moderate exercise to reduce fatigue. Patients may also inquire about clinical trials for treatment of mesothelioma with a medical professional. These trials study new mesothelioma treatment options which haven't yet been approved by FDA.

Other treatments, such as radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, could be available. The use of radiation and immunotherapy is to boost the body's natural defence systems against cancer. The targeted therapy uses specific drugs to target weaknesses in mesothelioma tumor cells. Every patient's situation is individual. It is important to talk to a mesothelioma professional about all possible treatment options.

Prognosis

A prognosis can be described as a rough estimation of the extent to which a mesothelioma develops and the treatments available. It also informs patients how long they can expect to live after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. The general health of a patient can be an important factor in the likelihood of them surviving mesothelioma. People who are healthier and have higher blood tests such as normal haemoglobin levels and higher platelet and white cell counts will have a higher chance of being able to survive mesothelioma. They are also better able to handle chemotherapy and surgery better than those who have lower general health.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that often has a worse prognosis than other kinds of cancer. This is due to the fact that it is typically diagnosed later, after the disease has already spread to other areas of the body. Mesothelioma is also a challenging cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. In some cases it could take years from the point that asbestos exposure is discovered until a person develops mesothelioma.

There are two types of mesothelioma, namely pleural and peritoneal. Both are triggered by asbestos case exposure. This cancer affects the mesothelial tissues that cover the majority of the internal organs of the body.

When a person has pleural mesothelioma, the cancer affects the membrane that surrounds the chest cavity (pleura). It may also affect the membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardium) or the testicles' membrane (testicular mesothelioma).

Asbestosis is not a form of mesothelioma but it has similar symptoms to those of mesothelioma. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, and it can lead to lung issues, such as the development of scarring and stiffness in the lung. It is possible to develop mesothelioma and asbestosis at the same time.

Mesothelioma cancer can only be found in those who have been exposed to asbestos. It typically develops on the chest lining and abdomen. It is not caused by smoking, and the majority of people who have developed mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos when they were working. Smokers or suffer from other illnesses like heart disease or diabetes may be more likely to develop mesothelioma more than other people.