Lung Cancer Asbestos Mesothelioma The asbestos-related cancer can be a problem for the abdomen, lungs, and the heart Mesothelioma occurs in the lining around these organs Mesothelioma symptoms can take 10 50 to 50 years to develop and can appear similar to illnesses that are less serious This time of latency makes it difficult to determine the cause Doctors diagnose lung cancer by examining the kind of cancer and the cell structure There are two broad categories of cancer that are small and non-small cell Symptoms Mesothelioma of the lungs is found in the linings of protection for internal organs, called the mesothelium It is a virulent tumor that typically forms in the lungs, but can also develop in the lining of the abdomen, heart and testicles From initial exposure, it may take a long time before symptoms show up Asbestos is made up of a variety of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibers These fibers can be inhaled, swallowed, and adhere to the organ linings Asbestos is the most frequently exposed to when a worker is working in a field in which it is used as insulation or a building material Mesothelioma is a serious disease that can affect construction workers, asbestos miners, and welders Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service in the military are also at risk The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to make an appointment with a doctor During this visit, doctors will ask patients about any symptoms they're experiencing They will also examine the medical records of the patient to determine if they have any conditions that could increase the chance of developing mesothelioma If mesothelioma has been suspected, doctors may order chest X-rays as well as CT scans in order to detect any abnormalities X-rays may reveal calcium deposits in the lungs, as well as thickening of the lung lining or fluid in the space between the lungs and chest wall A CT scan is a more advanced device that combines several X-rays to produce an image of the inside of your body It can reveal changes in the structure, the lungs or abdomen, and help doctors find the tumor A CT scan may also search for mesothelioma-related signs in the lining of the chest cavity or peritoneum It is also a method to 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 certain instances lung biopsy may be done by VATS video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments This involves inserting a tube equipped with cameras through the chest A sterilized talcum powder is in the chest cavity, causing inflammation that closes the area, allowing doctors to remove samples of the lining Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis is dependent on the presence of symptoms medical history and laboratory tests Doctors search for asbestos-related cells in tissue or fluid samples and then compare them to cancer cells found in different areas of the body If mesothelioma is spreading to the lungs doctors can examine the area using CT scans or FDG-positron emission tomography PET Doctors diagnose pleural msothelioma after taking a sample of fluid around the lungs, or any other area of the chest wall that is affected by mesothelioma They can also conduct an organ biopsy to look for mesothelioma cells or cancerous cells A doctor can also order blood tests to determine if someone has elevated levels of certain chemicals that may be indicative of mesothelioma The two cancers are alike in many ways however, lung cancer is a type of cancer that grows in the lungs while mesothelioma affects the lining around the lung This means that the symptoms of mesothelioma may be confused with other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza Mesothelioma symptoms can take up to 50 years to manifest, so patients should be aware of any unusual symptoms A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients determine whether their symptoms are linked to asbestos exposure They can also talk about their symptoms and what tests or procedures they need to be undergoing They can help patients find a specialist in mesothelioma to help them diagnose the disease Researchers are working on innovative methods to help distinguish mesothelioma from other diseases, such as the identification of asbestos-related proteins within the body, or determining levels of hyaluronic acids in the joints and eyes These tests could be used to identify the mesothelioma kind and determine how it will respond to treatment Notifying any unusual symptoms particularly those connected with mesothelioma or lung cancer to your doctor is important People with a history of asbestos exposure should visit their physicians regularly for medical exams This will help them get an early diagnosis of mesothelioma, and increase the likelihood of receiving treatment to prolong their lives Contact the Mesothelioma Hope Team today to talk to a knowledgeable Patient Advocate Treatment Treatment options are determined by the kind of lung cancer or mesothelioma that a patient is diagnosed with Patients should discuss their treatment options with a physician https//vimeocom/704893499 prefer to undergo active treatment, which could include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy, to improve their odds of survival The doctors also treat mesothelioma using immunotherapy, which is a type of experimental therapy that uses targeted drugs to specifically target certain cells in the body Lung cancer asbestos mesothelioma can present with a range of symptoms which makes it difficult to determine Often, the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other respiratory illnesses or even heart diseases If you notice any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult your physician immediately A biopsy can be done by medical professionals to determine if the patient has mesothelioma The doctor will insert a needle through the skin or make an incision within the abdomen or chest to remove a small portion of tissue This will be analyzed under microscope to determine if the tissue is mesothelioma Mesothelioma can be classified into two types epithelioid and sarcomatoid Epithelioid mesothelioma has a superior prognosis than sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which is more aggressive A thoracoscopic biopsy with direct visualization of the pleural nodules can increase diagnostic accuracy by up to 25 percent While mesothelioma and cancer of the lung are both cancers, they are different from each other Lung cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the lungs, and mesothelioma is found in the lining of organs, such as the lungs, heart and abdomen Exposure to asbestos can cause both cancers Asbestos workers who have recently been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or lung cancer may want to consider taking part in clinical trials to test new treatments This could lead better results and a longer time of living symptom-free It is crucial that patients discuss their goals and desires with their doctors Some patients may choose to suffer from side effects in exchange in the hope of an improved prognosis, while others prefer to be comfortable for as long as is possible These choices should be made in collaboration with the health care team Prognosis Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in the mesothelium This is a thin membrane which covers and protects organs, such as the lungs It is usually associated with asbestos exposure It can take between 10 and 50 years for the symptoms to show up The first step in identifying mesothelioma is getting an individual's health background, which includes details about exposure to asbestos Doctors also will take an X-ray of the chest as well as an CT scan of the lung region These tests can reveal changes in the lung's lining and may reveal abnormal thickening or calcium deposits They can also help doctors look for fluid buildup in the pleural cavity or the space between the lungs and the chest wall A doctor can also take tissue from the lungs and analyze it for mesothelioma This is done through a procedure known as thoracentesis A doctor can carry out this procedure in a hospital setting in an outpatient clinic or at home The sample is then examined by a mesothelioma specialist Doctors may also request blood tests in order to look for elevated levels of mesothelioma that could indicate it They may also want to look at the lining of the lungs, which is done by the procedure called video-assisted surgery VAT Asbestos sufferers should be aware that mesothelioma can be found in different parts of the body, other than the lungs Mesothelioma, for example can affect the linings of the abdomen, the heart, and testicles Mesothelioma may also develop in the sac lining of the heart and is referred to as pericardial mesothelioma Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because it's not as prevalent as lung cancer, and it is easily mistaken for less serious illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia The disease can also develop quickly and is difficult to treat Doctors can improve the prognosis of patients through mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy Mesothelioma treatment options aren't set in stone, however, and people diagnosed with mesothelioma tend to live longer than they expected