Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs, and, in rare instances, the tissues of the abdomen and the heart Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma Asbestos fibers can get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage The result is that cells turn into mesothelioma cancerous cells Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects tissues which line and protect organs within the body Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause cancerous cells to grow into mesothelioma tumors The majority of mesothelioma cases are located in the lungs However, it can be found in the lining of the abdomen and the testicles, as well as the heart Chest discomfort and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma Patients also experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss These symptoms are akin to other illnesses and can be difficult to recognize, especially in the initial stages of mesothelioma It could take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to appear The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is a physical examination and a medical history To determine the severity of symptoms, a doctor may order tests for blood and imaging scans These scans may include CT computer tomography scans, MRI and PET positron emission tomography X-rays may reveal an unusual lump or a fluid that is present in the lung These scans aid the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma Sarcomatoid and mesothelioid are the two major kinds About 70 of mesothelioma is epithelioid Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a lesser-known type, and has a worse prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma Most people with pleural cancer suffer from a painful, non-productive cough and breathing problems In some instances, a patient with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur an issue known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum tunica vaginalis The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is to take a tissue sample or biopsy, to test The type of mesothelioma also determines the method used by a doctor to treat the disease If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer, the doctor will drain excess fluid using a procedure known as pleurodesis or insert the pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and enhance breathing Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy Diagnosis The mesothelioma-related cancer develops on the linings of the organs The majority of cases occur in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen peritoneum or around the testes It takes between 10 to 50 years for the first signs of mesothelioma to manifest Due to this latency period, many patients may be misdiagnosed This disease is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that are less serious such as pneumonia or the flu This mistake could result in delays in treatment, which can decrease the chance of survival If you suspect mesothelioma, consult their physician as soon as possible In the initial visit, doctors review a patient's medical history to identify any signs or symptoms that could increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma This includes any previous exposure to asbestos or other asbestos-containing substances, and also the type and duration of exposure The doctor will then recommend imaging tests of the abdomen and chest to check for signs of mesothelioma Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs all offer detailed images of the inside of the body They also reveal lung changes, such as pleural thickening or fluid buildup They can also reveal whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other areas of the body A doctor will also order an analysis of blood to determine whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances associated with mesothelioma They may also carry out an operation called a thoracentesis which involves taking out the lungs of fluid and examining the lungs for cancerous cells If a mesothelioma is confirmed the biopsy procedure is carried out to test a small amount of the tumor for cancerous cells VATS video assisted thoracoscopic surgical or a needle-guided CT scan may be used to perform this procedure The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are the most effective for the patient This could include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy Some patients will also opt to undergo immunotherapy This latest form of treatment can improve a patient's prognosis and boost their quality of life Treatment Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lung pleural mesothelioma, the stomach peritoneal mesothelioma or the testicles or heart pericardial mesothelioma It is not possible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment may help control symptoms Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and look for symptoms of mesothelioma Your doctor will also ask about your asbestos exposure as this is the number one risk factor for mesothelioma Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to be stuck in the linings of the chest cavity mesothelium stomach or the heart This causes inflammation over time and can change normal cells into cancerous cells Mesothelioma can be identified using imaging tests and blood tests Your doctor will make use of an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue and determine if you suffer from the build-up of fluid pleural effusion Your healthcare provider will request an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography PET, to get precise images They may also perform an incisional needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will examine mesothelioma cells under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine the kind of mesothelioma you suffer from To establish the diagnosis, the doctor will stain the tissue sample using a dye which shows up when certain kinds of proteins are present They will then use a specific method to obtain an even closer view of the tissue under a microscope Mesothelioma may be difficult to identify because mesothelioma cells appear like other types of cells found in the body Your care team will try to confirm the diagnosis with other tests These tests involve an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3, or soluble mesothelin related peptide Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment plan for mesothelioma, based on your cancer type and its stage Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most common treatments for mesothelioma If your mesothelioma is in advanced stages you could also be offered palliative care to ease discomfort and other symptoms Prognosis The prognosis of mesothelioma is dependent on the type and stage of cancer and other factors such as age and general health Patients should consult knowledgeable doctors to find out more about their treatment options Asbestos fibers can cause damage to tissues that line vital organs and protect them The asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested and, over time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that convert normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors The most common mesothelioma forms are pleural mesothelioma that is a form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity pleura and mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer form that arises in the protective lining of the abdomen Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of symptoms, lab tests and X-rays They may also suggest a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis A biopsy is the process of taking small amounts of tissue to test The doctors can compare the biopsy samples with an online database to determine the most likely mesothelioma type This information can be used to estimate the longevity of a patient suffering from mesothelioma as well as their treatment plan https//vimeocom/703541429 are epithelioid and epithelial, epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells, and biphasic cells Each mesothelioma grows at a different pace and responds differently to treatment Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60 percent to 80 of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos Therefore, many patients do not receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they experience significant symptoms Asbestos exposure should be disclosed to a doctor, and victims should undergo periodic checks During these visits, doctors examine for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on the lungs, as well as other respiratory problems They can also conduct simple blood tests to determine the patient's health If the results show that an individual is at a the highest risk of developing mesothelioma they can schedule further tests to get a prognosis This could include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound, as well as lung function tests and an chest MRI or PET scan