Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity and lungs and, in some cases, the abdominal lining and heart The primary cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure Asbestos fibers get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage The result is that cells transform into mesothelioma cancer cells Symptoms Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects tissues which line and protect organs within the body Exposure to asbestos fibres could cause these cancerous cells to transform into mesothelioma-related tumors The majority of mesothelioma cases are located in the lungs It can also develop in the tissues of the abdomen, heart and testicles Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma In addition patients may are suffering from abdominal pain as well as fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain These symptoms are similar to many other illnesses and can be difficult to recognize, especially in the beginning stages of mesothelioma It may take years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to manifest A physical examination and health history of the patient are the first step to diagnose mesothelioma To determine the severity of the symptoms, a doctor may order tests for blood and imaging scans These scans could include CT computer tomography scans, MRI and PET positron emission tomography X-rays may reveal an unusual swelling or fluid inside the lung These scans may help the doctor determine the location of the mesothelioma and the type of mesothelioma Sarcomatoid and epithelioid mesothelioma the two major kinds https//vimeocom/704935500 makes up around 70 of mesothelioma cases Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, on the other hand, is and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough as well as chest wall pain and difficulty breathing In rare cases, a person suffering from pleural mesothelioma might have an abnormal heart murmur, which is called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum tunica vaginalis The most effective method to diagnose mesothelioma involves a biopsy of tissue The type of mesothelioma also determines how a doctor will treat the disease For instance, if a person has pericardial mesothelioma doctors may remove excess fluid using pleurodesis, a procedure that is known as pleurodesis, or install an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing Other options include surgery and chemotherapy Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the linings of organs called the mesothelium The disease most commonly occurs in the lungs pleura however it can also manifest in the abdomen peritoneum or around the testes tunica vaginalis It can take between 10 and 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to manifest Because of this latency period, many patients may be misdiagnosed This condition is often mistakenly referred to as other, less serious conditions, such as the flu or pneumonia This misdiagnosis could result in delays in treatment, which could reduce the chances of surviving Those who suspect that they might have mesothelioma should visit their doctor right away In the initial visit, doctors will take a patient's full medical history to identify signs and any other factors that might make people more likely to develop mesothelioma This includes past asbestos exposure and the nature and duration of the exposure Next, doctors will conduct imaging tests to examine the abdomen and chest for signs of mesothelioma and other abnormalities Chest Xrays, CT scans and MRIs all provide precise images of the inside of the body They also show lung changes, such as the pleural thickening process or the accumulation of fluid They can also reveal the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other organs of the body A doctor may also order an analysis of the blood to determine whether a patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma They can also carry out an operation known as the thoracentesis This involves the removal of a sample from the fluid surrounding the lungs to look for cancer cells If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed the biopsy procedure is carried out to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cells VATS video assisted thoracoscopic surgical or a needle-guided CT scan is a method to carry out 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 Certain patients may choose to take part in immunotherapy This more advanced mesothelioma treatment could improve the quality of life of a patient and improve their prognosis Treatment Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lungs pleural mesothelioma and stomach peritoneal mesothelioma or the testicles or the heart pericardial mesothelioma It is impossible to cure mesothelioma, but treatment can help manage symptoms Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and look for signs of mesothelioma Your doctor will also ask about your exposure to asbestos, as asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the chest cavity's lining and tummy, or the heart mesothelium Over time, this causes inflammation and changes normal cells into cancerous ones Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma Your healthcare provider will employ an X-ray chest scan to observe changes in the lung tissue and determine whether you have an accumulation of fluid pleural effusion The doctor will recommend MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography PET to obtain precise images of the affected area They may also perform a needle biopsy in order to obtain a sample from the affected tissue A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will look at the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma you suffer from To make the diagnosis, the doctor will stain the sample using a dye which shows up when certain kinds of protein are present The doctor will then use an instrument to magnify the tissue It is sometimes difficult to identify mesothelioma since the cells that cause it appear similar to those of other types of cells within the body Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by other tests This includes a blood test to determine the levels of fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related peptide that is soluble Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment plan for mesothelioma depending on your cancer type and stage Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the most popular treatment options for mesothelioma Palliative treatment may be offered when your mesothelioma is at an advanced stage This can relieve the pain and other signs Prognosis The outlook for mesothelioma is based on the type and stage of cancer, in addition to other factors, such as the patient's age as well as general health Patients should consult with doctors who are knowledgeable about the treatment options available to them Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers harm the tissues that line and protect vital organs These asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and can cause genetic changes and inflammation that transform normal cells into mesothelioma cancers The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity pleura, as well as mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer form that develops in the lining of the abdomen Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of symptoms, lab tests and X-rays They may also suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis A biopsy involves the removal of a small piece of tissue to be examined Doctors then compare the samples of the biopsy to a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma cells type This information can be used to predict the longevity of a patient with mesothelioma and their treatment plan Mesothelioma cells are classified into three categories epithelioid epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic Each mesothelioma forms at a different rate and responds differently to treatment Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 60 percent to 80 of cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma Mesothelioma can be diagnosed up to 50 years after asbestos exposure Many patients don't get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they show serious symptoms Asbestos exposure should be disclosed to a physician, and victims should undergo periodic checks In these visits, doctors will check for signs of exposure to asbestos, such as scarring around the lungs or other respiratory issues They can also conduct a simple blood check to assess the health of the patient If the results indicate that an individual is at a the highest risk of developing mesothelioma they can arrange for additional tests to determine if they are likely to develop an estimate of the prognosis This may include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound, as well as lung function tests and an chest MRI or PET scan