Lung Cancer Asbestos Mesothelioma The asbestos-related cancer can be a problem for the abdomen, lungs and heart Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining that surrounds these organs Mesothelioma symptoms can take 10 50 to 50 years to develop and can appear similar to illnesses that are less serious This makes it difficult to identify Doctors diagnose lung cancer by examining the type of cancer and its cell structure There are two broad categories of cancer small cell and non-small cell Symptoms Mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer, is located in the linings that protect internal organs, referred to as the mesothelium It is an aggressive tumor that usually develops in the lungs, but it can also form in the lining of the abdomen, the heart and testicles It can take years from the moment of exposure until the beginning to show symptoms Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that have microscopic fibers These fibers can be inhaled, swallowed and adhere to organ linings Asbestos is the most frequently exposed to when a person is working in an industry that uses it as insulation or a building material Mesothelioma is a serious disease that affects construction workers, asbestos miners, and welding workers Veterans exposed to asbestos while in the military are also at risk of developing the disease To be able to diagnose mesothelioma you must first schedule an appointment with your physician During the appointment doctors will ask patients to identify any symptoms they might be experiencing They will also review the medical history of a patient to see if they have any medical conditions that could increase the risk of mesothelioma If mesothelioma is suspected, doctors can request chest X-rays as well as CT scans to find any abnormalities X-rays can show calcium deposits in the lungs, as well as thickening of the lung lining fluid in the lung space and chest wall A CT scan is a more sophisticated machine that blends multiple X-rays to create an image of the inside of your body It can reveal any changes in the structure of the lungs or abdomen and aid in locating the tumor A CT scan can also look for mesothelioma-related signs in the lining of the chest cavity or the peritoneum It can also determine whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body A biopsy is done to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of mesothelioma In some cases lung biopsy may be performed by using VATS video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure This involves inserting a tube with a camera through the chest The chest cavity is injected with sterile talcum to cause inflammation, which reduces the size of the cavity and allows doctors to take samples Diagnosis The diagnosis of mesothelioma is determined by the symptoms, medical history and laboratory tests Doctors evaluate cancer cells elsewhere within the body with asbestos-related cells found in tissue or fluid samples If the mesothelioma has spread to the lungs, the doctors can look into the area using CT scans or FDG-positron emissions tomography PET Doctors diagnose pleural mesothelioma by taking a sample of fluid from around the lungs, or from other areas of the chest wall where mesothelioma has mutated They also take a biopsy of tissue to determine if there is mesothelioma or other cancer cells A doctor may also order blood tests to determine if someone has high levels for certain chemicals that may be indicative of mesothelioma Mesothelioma and lung cancer are similar in many respects however, lung cancer is a form of cancer that develops within the lungs while mesothelioma affects a lining surrounding the lungs This means that the symptoms of mesothelioma can be mistaken with those of other diseases such as pneumonia or influenza Mesothelioma symptoms can take up to 50 years to manifest and patients should report any unusual symptoms A mesothelioma expert can assist patients determine if their symptoms are due to asbestos exposure They can also talk about their symptoms and what tests or procedures they should have They can also help patients locate a mesothelioma specialist to assist them in determining the cause Researchers are developing new methods to differentiate mesothelioma from other cancers For instance they can detect asbestos-related proteins or measure levels of hyaluronic acid in the eyes and joints These tests could be used to determine the mesothelioma type, and to predict the way it will respond to treatment Notifying https//vimeocom/704889759 that are associated with lung cancer or mesothelioma, to your doctor is very important Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure should visit their physician regularly for medical examinations This will allow them to get an early diagnosis of mesothelioma and increase their chances of receiving treatment that will extend their lives Contact the Mesothelioma Hope Team today to speak to an experienced Patient Advocate Treatment The type of lung cancer mesothelioma the patient has determines the treatment options available to him or her Patients should discuss treatment options with their doctor Many patients prefer to undergo active treatment, which can include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy to improve their prognosis The treatment for mesothelioma is also done by immunotherapy, which is a type of experimental therapy that utilizes targeted drugs to focus on specific cells within the body Lung cancer asbestos mesothelioma may present with a range of symptoms that make it difficult to determine The symptoms may be similar to other respiratory illnesses and heart disease Asbestos sufferers should consult an expert immediately in the event of any of the following symptoms A doctor can determine if a patient suffers from mesothelioma by performing a biopsy The doctor will insert a needle through the skin or make an incision within the abdomen or chest to remove a small amount of tissue The tissue will be examined under microscope to determine if the tissue is mesothelioma Mesothelioma is divided into epithelioid and sarcomatoid Epithelioid Mesothelioma is more aggressive than sarcomatoid, however it has a better prognosis A thoracoscopic biopsies with the direct visualization of pleural nodules could improve the accuracy of diagnosis up to 25 Although mesothelioma as well as lung cancer are both cancers, they differ from each other Lung cancer occurs inside the lungs Mesothelioma can develop in the organs' linings, such as the lungs and the heart Exposure to asbestos can cause both cancers Asbestos workers who recently been diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma should consider taking part in clinical trials that test new treatments This could lead to better outcomes and a longer duration of living symptom-free It's important that patients discuss their goals and aspirations with their doctor Some patients will decide to endure side effects in order to improve their chances of survival Others prefer to be comfortable for as long as possible These choices should be made in conjunction with the health care team Prognosis Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, occurs in the mesothelium It is a thin membrane that protects organs, such as the lungs It is usually caused by asbestos exposure and symptoms can appear between 10 and 50 years after exposure The first step in determining mesothelioma is to get the patient's medical history, including details about asbestos exposure The doctors will also take an X-ray of the chest CT scan and an X-ray of the lung area These tests can reveal changes to the lining, such as abnormal thickness or calcium deposits These tests can also be used to look for fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity or the space between lungs and the chest wall A doctor may also take an x-ray of the tissues around the lungs in order to test for mesothelioma cells This is accomplished through a procedure known as Thorcentesis This procedure can be carried out by a doctor at the hospital, clinic or at home A mesothelioma specialist examines the sample Doctors may also request blood tests in order to check for high levels of mesothelioma that could indicate it They might also look at the lining of the lungs which can be accomplished through a procedure called video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VAT Asbestos victims should be aware that is possible for mesothelioma be found in different parts of the body, other than the lung For instance, mesothelioma may affect the lining of the abdomen and the testicles, as well The heart's lining is also susceptible to mesothelioma It is also known as pericardial pericardioma It is a challenge to recognize mesothelioma because it is less common than lung cancer, and can be mistaken for less serious diseases like the flu or pneumonia The disease can grow quickly and can be difficult for doctors to treat Mesothelioma treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, may improve the chances of survival for patients The mesothelioma prognosis is not fixed in stone Some patients have lived longer than expected