Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity, lungs and, in rare cases the tissues of the abdomen and heart Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma Asbestos fibers are entangled in tissues and cause DNA damage This changes cells into mesothelioma cancer cells Symptoms Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect the organs in the body Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cancerous cells to transform into mesothelioma tumors The majority of mesothelioma cases occur in the lungs pleura It can also occur in the linings of the heart, abdomen and testicles The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath as well as chest pain and coughing In addition, some patients suffer from abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning stages particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new condition It may take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to manifest A physical examination and a patient's health history are the first steps in determining mesothelioma A doctor can require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms These scans comprise CT computer-tomography scans as well as MRI and PET scans positron emission Tomography X-rays can show an unusual lump or a fluid that is present in the lung These scans can help the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma The two main mesothelioma types are sarcomatoid and epithelioid Around 70 of mesothelioma are epithelioid Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a lesser-known type and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma Most people with pleural cancer suffer from a painful, non-productive cough and breathing difficulties A person with pleural msothelioma can suffer from an abnormal heart sound, a condition called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is to take a tissue sample, or biopsy, to test The type of mesothelioma determines the way a doctor treats the condition For https//vimeocom/703541168 when a patient has mesothelioma pericardial, the doctor may eliminate excess fluid through pleurodesis, a procedure that is known as pleurodesis, or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the organ's linings known as the mesothelium The majority of cases occur in the lungs However, it can also be found in the abdomen peritoneum or around the testes The symptoms of mesothelioma can be seen between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure Because of this latency time, many patients are incorrectly diagnosed The disease is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious illnesses like the flu or pneumonia This misdiagnosis could result in delays in treatment, which could lower a patient's chances of surviving If you suspect mesothelioma, visit their doctor immediately In the initial visit, doctors examine the medical history of the patient in order to identify any signs or symptoms that could increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma This includes asbestos exposure in the past and the kind and duration The next step is to have doctors request imaging tests to look at the chest and abdomen for signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities Chest X-rays CT scans and MRIs can all reveal changes in the lungs, like an increase in pleural thickness or accumulation of fluid They can also tell the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other areas of the body A doctor may also recommend a blood test to see if the patient has high levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma They may also perform the procedure known as a thoracentesis It involves removing a sample of the lungs' fluid to check for cancerous cells If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed A biopsy is then performed to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cells VATS video assisted thoracoscopic surgery or a needle-guided CT scan may be used to perform this procedure The results of this will help determine the best mesothelioma treatment option for the patient This can include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy Some patients may also choose to participate in immunotherapy This latest mesothelioma treatment can boost the quality of life for patients and improve their outlook Treatment Mesothelioma affects tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lung pleural mesothelioma as well as the stomach peritoneal mesothelioma or the testicles or heart pericardial mesothelioma While mesothelioma can't be treated however, treatment can reduce symptoms Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and search for signs of mesothelioma Your doctor will also ask about your asbestos exposure as asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the lining of the chest cavity, tummy or heart mesothelium This can cause inflammation over time, and can change normal cells into cancerous cells Imaging tests and blood tests are used to identify mesothelioma Your doctor will make use of an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue, and determine if you have fluid build-up pleural effusion Your provider will order MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography PET to obtain precise images of the affected region They will also do a needle biopsy to obtain a sample of the affected tissue A pathologist, also known as a mesothelioma specialist, will look at the tissue using a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cells and determine the type The doctor will use a dye to stain the tissue samples in order to diagnose the cancer The dye is visible when certain types are present Then, they will employ a special technique to get an even closer view of the tissue under the microscope Mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize because mesothelioma-related cells appear like other types of cells found in the body Your medical team will attempt to confirm the diagnosis with other tests These tests involve a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3 or soluble mesothelin related peptide Your healthcare team will decide on mesothelioma treatments based on the kind of cancer you have and the degree to which it is advanced The most popular mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also receive palliative treatment to relieve discomfort and other signs Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma varies on the type and the stage of cancer, in addition to other factors, such as the patient's age as well as general health Patients should consult skilled doctors to know more about the treatment options available to them Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs The asbestos fibers are breathed in or eaten, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation that can transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumours The most prevalent forms of mesothelioma are mesothelioma pleural which is a tumor that develops on the linings of the lungs, chest cavity, and abdomen mesothelioma Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays They may also suggest an examination to confirm the diagnosis A biopsy is the process of taking a small sample of tissue to test The doctors can compare the biopsy samples with an online database to determine the most likely mesothelioma type This information will help them predict the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan The three mesothelioma types are epithelioid and epithelial, epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells, and biphasic cells Each mesothelioma develops at a different rate and responds differently to treatment Epithelioid cancer is responsible for 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a better survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma develop after exposure to asbestos Therefore, many patients don't get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they experience significant symptoms Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and undergo periodic checkups In these visits, doctors will examine for signs of asbestos-related exposure, such as lung scarring or other respiratory issues They can also do simple blood tests to assess the health of the patient If the results indicate that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is high, they can schedule additional tests to receive an estimate of the prognosis for mesothelioma This could include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound and a lung function test and a chest MRI or PET scan