Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer
A mesothelioma diagnosis could be a frightening diagnosis. Your prognosis will depend on how far the cancer has spread, and the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from.
The most popular type is pleural, which is located in the lining of the lungs. The two other types are peritoneal mesothelioma and biphasic or mixed mesothelioma. Each has a distinct survival rate.
Signs and symptoms
The mesothelium is the lining for the organs. Cancer most commonly occurs in the lungs, however it can also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum), or heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of cancer, the location, and the stage of disease. Early diagnosis and treatment improves survival rates. Malignant mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other illnesses which makes it difficult to identify. Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed, and remains untreated for years.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, coughing, and a feeling that the chest or abdomen is tight. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients may also experience a loss of appetite and weight loss. A doctor will look over the patient's medical history and perform a physical exam to determine if there are indications of mesothelioma. A doctor can order imaging tests, like an CT scan of the chest or abdomen to detect mesothelioma. They can also perform the procedure known as thoracentesis. It is used to remove fluid from the lungs and then examine the tissue sample for mesothelioma biopsies.
The doctor will decide on the best course of action for a mesothelioma treatment program. Patients should be sure to discuss any asbestos exposure with their doctors, and they can request the referral of an experienced mesothelioma expert if they need to.
A mesothelioma diagnosis requires multiple specialists and a team of health experts can assist patients in managing their symptoms and get the most effective treatment for mesothelioma that is available. The team can include a general physician, a pulmonologist or chest surgeon, an interventional radiologist medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma. Around 75 percent of all mesothelioma is caused by this type of cancer. Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs less frequently and is located in the peritoneum. It is more difficult to treat than pleural mesothelioma and generally has a less favorable prognosis. As the tumor grows, it could press against the diaphragm and the lining of your heart. This can cause severe pain. It can also cause problems breathing and difficulty swallowing.
Diagnosis
If a person starts experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma, he or she should visit a doctor. The doctor will evaluate the patient and conduct tests to determine whether mesothelioma was the cause.
It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms may be similar to those of other conditions. It can take some time for doctors to identify mesothelioma to asbestos exposure. Even if an individual is aware that they have been in contact with asbestos, the disease could progress slowly and not be recognized until it reaches an advanced stage.
At the time of diagnosis the doctor will review the patient's medical history and inquire about any previous asbestos exposure. A doctor will also conduct a physical examination. The doctor may also order imaging tests and blood test to look for changes in the lungs or abdomen.
A CT scan or x-ray can show any changes to the abdominal and chest walls caused by mesothelioma. These will include the pleural thickening process and pleural effusion which is the accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen. A doctor may also recommend an MRI or PET scan to obtain detailed images of the affected area, and to see how the tumors affect surrounding tissue.
The blood tests are made to detect increased levels of certain substances produced by mesothelioma cancer cells. These tests will help confirm mesothelioma's diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.
If the doctor has a high suspicion of mesothelioma they will take a biopsy in order to collect an in-depth sample of the tumor. A tube is placed into the stomach or lungs to remove a small sample of tissue. If this isn't possible, a surgeon will make an incision on the chest or abdomen to remove a larger portion of tissue or, in rare cases the entire tumor.
The mesothelioma is then tested to determine its type and grade. There are three major mesothelioma types epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic (also called mixed type). The doctor will decide on the most effective treatment according to the diagnosis.
Treatment
The malignant mesothelioma can be caused by a series of genetic mutations that cause cells to grow and multiply beyond their limits. As time passes, abnormal cells collect and grow until they form an enlargement, which may be covered by healthy tissue. Mesothelioma can be a very dangerous cancer. There are treatments that can prolong the lives of many patients and help improve their symptoms.
The location of the tumors will determine what treatments are available for mesothelioma. Around 3 out of 4 mesotheliomas begin in the chest cavity. This is called pleural mesothelioma. Another 10 to 20 percent of cases start in the abdominal cavity, a condition referred to as mesothelioma peritoneal. A rare form of mesothelioma called cardiac-peritoneal mesothelioma can also be found within the tissues surrounding the heart.
Mesothelioma can be treated by removing the tumors surgically and/or using various cancer treatments. Mesothelioma physicians collaborate to develop an overall treatment plan that is unique to each patient. The plans typically include a combination of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.
The surgical procedures used to remove mesothelioma differ based on where the tumors are located and the stage of development. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a more complex operation that involves removal of the diaphragm and lung, in addition to visible tumors. They can also perform a pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery, in which the doctor removes the pleura and any visible tumors around the lungs and chest wall. Patients with mesothelioma may also benefit from the treatment known as cytoreductive surgery and heated chemotherapy (HIPEC) where the tumors are removed from the abdominal cavity and heated chemotherapy is used to cleanse them.
Throughout the treatment process, mesothelioma patients will likely suffer a variety of side effects of chemotherapy. These side effects could include fatigue, an increased risk of infection, nausea or vomiting. Some patients may also experience numbness and tingling in their fingers or toes, low blood cell counts, and hair loss. Doctors can prescribe pain relievers and nutrition supplements to help minimize the effects of these medications. Patients should talk to their doctor about any medication they are prescribed to find out more about them and the potential adverse effects.
Prognosis
A doctor's diagnosis of mesothelioma is a measure of the patient's life expectancy. mesothelioma lung cancer attorneys depends on several factors including the mesothelioma's type and stage and the patient's age general health, and how well the treatment is working.
The prognosis for mesothelioma patients can improve if detected at an early stage. Mesothelioma is a latency condition, which means doctors have to wait until symptoms show up before diagnosing it.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of a patient and conducting a physical examination. They may also order imaging tests or biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The kinds of imaging tests that doctors can request include chest CT scans, an MRI and the lung function test.
These tests can be used to determine the size and location of mesothelioma. These tests can also help determine the extent to which cancer has been able to spread. If the tumor is located in the pleura, doctors can carry out an operation known as a Thoracentesis. This allows doctors to remove fluid from the site and then collect an appropriate sample for biopsy.
A person's GP can assist in coordinating mesothelioma treatment teams. The specialists may include an Pulmonologist (respiratory physician), an interventional radiologist or a thoracic surgeon, as well as an medical oncologist.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is made, doctors can also determine the type of cancerous cells that comprise the tumor. There are three types of mesothelioma cells and the patient's overall health status could be influenced by the type of mesothelioma they have. For instance, patients who have epithelioid-like mesothelioma are likely better prognosis than those with mesothelioma that is sarcomatoid.
Treatments for mesothelioma may improve the chances of survival for patients by slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer. They can also assist in managing symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Many patients with mesothelioma have endured for a long time after receiving an unfavorable prognosis. They may find inspiration and hope from stories of patients who have defied odds. Patients with mesothelioma can inquire about clinical trials which could provide new treatment options. These trials offer patients the chance to test experiments that could extend their lives.