Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity and lungs and, in some cases the lining of the abdomen and heart Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma Asbestos fibers can become stuck in tissues which can cause DNA damage This changes cells into mesothelioma cancer cells Symptoms Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect the organs inside the body Exposure to asbestos fibers could cause the cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors Most cases of mesothelioma are found in the lungs It can also occur in the tissues of the abdomen, heart and testicles Breathlessness, chest discomfort, and coughing are the most common symptoms of mesothelioma In addition, some patients are suffering from abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning stages particularly when mesothelioma still a relatively young disease The symptoms of mesothelioma may not be evident for a long time or even decades after asbestos exposure The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is a physical examination and a medical history A doctor can require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms These scans can include CT computer tomography scans, MRI and PET positron emission tomography X-rays can reveal a strange mass or fluid in the lung These scans may help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is and the type of mesothelioma Sarcomatoid and mesothelioid are the two major types Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for around 70 of mesothelioma cases Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is less common and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma The majority of people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma have a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and trouble breathing In some cases, people with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur a condition known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum tunica vaginalis The most accurate way to identify mesothelioma is collect a tissue sample or biopsy, for testing The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will also determine how a physician treats the illness For instance in the case of mesothelioma pericardial doctors may remove excess fluid using pleurodesis, a procedure that is known as pleurodesis, or insert a pleural catheter in the body to decrease inflammation and improve breathing Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the linings of organs called the mesothelium The majority of cases occur in the lung pleura however it can also manifest in the abdomen peritoneum or around the testes tunica vaginalis The symptoms of mesothelioma could appear between 10 and fifty years after the initial exposure Because of this latency period, many patients may be incorrectly diagnosed This condition is often mistakenly referred to as other, less serious illnesses like the flu or pneumonia This mistake could lead to a delay in treatment that can reduce the chances of survival for a patient Anyone who suspects that they may have mesothelioma need to consult their physician immediately During the initial visit, doctors examine a patient's medical history in order to identify any symptoms or factors that may increase their likelihood of developing mesothelioma This includes any past exposure to asbestos or other asbestos-containing substances, as well as the type and duration of the exposure The doctor will then request imaging tests for the chest and abdomen to check for signs of mesothelioma Chest Xrays, CT scans and MRIs all offer detailed images of the inside of the body They can reveal lung changes, such as the pleural thickening process or the accumulation of fluid They can also tell the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other organs of the body A doctor may also order an examination of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma They can also carry out a procedure called a thoracentesis It involves removing a sample of the fluid surrounding the lungs to search for cancerous cells If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, a biopsy will be taken to look at a small piece of the tumor to detect cancerous cells VATS video assisted thoracoscopic surgical or a needle-guided CT scan may be used to carry out this procedure The results will help determine the best mesothelioma treatment option for the patient This may include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy Some patients will also opt to undergo immunotherapy This latest mesothelioma treatment can boost the quality of life for patients and improve their prognosis Treatment Mesothelioma is a cancer that is a threat to the tissues that line and protect organs such as the stomach, lungs peritoneal or the heart or testicles While mesothelioma can't be treated, treatment can help control symptoms Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and look for symptoms of mesothelioma Your doctor will also ask about your exposure to asbestos, because asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to get trapped in the linings the chest cavity mesothelium stomach or the heart This causes inflammation over time, and can transform normal cells into cancerous cells Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma Your doctor will use an X-ray of the chest to determine if you suffer from an accumulation of fluid pleural effusion Your doctor will request MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography PET to obtain detailed images of the affected area 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 under an magnifying glass to find cancerous cells and determine their type The doctor will use a dye to stain the tissue samples to identify the cancer This dye is visible when certain types of cancer are present Then, they will employ a specific method to obtain an in-depth look at the tissue under the microscope It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the cells that cause it are similar to other types of cells in the body Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma using other tests https//vimeocom/704885809 include a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3 or soluble mesothelin related peptide Your healthcare provider will decide the best treatment plan for mesothelioma based on the type of cancer and stage The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy A palliative treatment option is available when your mesothelioma is at an advanced stage This will relieve the pain and other symptoms Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma varies on the type and stage of cancer, in addition to other factors like the patient's age as well as general health Patients should consult with doctors who are skilled to find out about their treatment options Asbestos fibers can cause damage to tissues that line vital organs and protect them from harm The asbestos fibers can be inhaled or consumed, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors The most prevalent mesothelioma forms are the pleural which is a tumor that develops on the linings of the lungs or chest cavity and abdomen mesothelioma Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays They may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis A biopsy is the removal a small piece of tissue to be tested The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples with an online database to determine the most likely mesothelioma type This information can be used to determine the longevity of a patient with mesothelioma and their treatment plan The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid, epithelial and epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells Each mesothelioma develops at a different pace and responds differently to treatment Epithelioid cancer accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases and has a higher survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid Mesothelioma may develop for up to 50 years after asbestos exposure Many patients aren't diagnosed of mesothelioma until they have significant symptoms Asbestos exposure must be reported to a physician and patients should undergo periodic checks During these visits, doctors will check for signs of asbestos exposure such as scarring on the lungs, as well as other respiratory problems They can also perform simple blood tests to determine the health of a patient's general If the results indicate that a patient is at high risk for mesothelioma, they can schedule further tests to receive a prognosis This could include imaging tests like X radiations, CT scans, and ultrasounds, along with lung function tests, a chest MRI or PET scan