Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissues lining the lungs and chest cavity and, in rare instances the abdominal lining and heart The primary cause of mesothelioma lies in asbestos exposure Asbestos fibers may get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage This changes cells into mesothelioma cancer cells Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect the organs inside the body Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause the cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors The majority of cases of mesothelioma are found in the lung pleura It can also be found in the tissues of the heart, abdomen and testicles Chest discomfort and coughing are among the most common symptoms of mesothelioma In addition certain patients experience abdominal pain as well as fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain These symptoms are often confusing and difficult to recognize in the early stages particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively young disease The symptoms of mesothelioma could not manifest for years or even decades after asbestos exposure A physical examination and patient's health history are the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma A doctor may request blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms These scans can include CT computer tomography scans, MRI and PET positron emission tomography X-rays can show an unusual lump or a fluid that is present in the lungs These scans help the doctor determine the nature and location of the mesothelioma The two most common types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for about 70 of all mesothelioma cases Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is less common than epithelioid People with pleural cancer typically have a nonproductive, painful cough and breathing problems In certain cases, a person with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur which is called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum tunica vaginalis The most effective method to identify mesothelioma is to take the taking of a biopsy of the tissue The type of mesothelioma will determine how a doctor manages 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 decrease inflammation and improve breathing Other treatments include chemotherapy and surgery Diagnosis The mesothelioma cancerous form develops on the linings of the organs The disease is most prevalent in the lungs, however it can also manifest in the abdomen peritoneum, or around the testes It takes between 10 to 50 years for the first signs of mesothelioma to appear Due to this time of latency, many patients could be misdiagnosed It is often mistaken for other, less serious diseases, such as the flu or pneumonia This misdiagnosis may result in a delay in treatment, which could reduce the chances of survival for a patient If you suspect mesothelioma, visit their doctor immediately During the first visit, doctors examine a patient's complete medical history to determine signs and any other factors that may make people more likely to develop mesothelioma This includes past asbestos exposure as well as the type and duration The doctor will then order imaging tests for the abdomen and chest to look for signs of mesothelioma Chest Xrays, CT scans and MRIs all offer detailed images of the inside of the body They also show lung changes, such as the thickening of the pleura or the buildup of fluid They can also tell if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body A doctor will also order a blood test to see whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances that are associated with mesothelioma They may also carry out an operation called a thoracentesis which involves removal of lungs of fluid and examining for cancerous cells If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed then a biopsy is taken to check an insignificant portion of the tumor to detect cancerous cells VATS video assisted thoracoscopic surgical or a needle-guided CT scan is a method to perform this procedure The results of this will aid in determining the best mesothelioma treatment for the patient This can include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy Some patients also choose to undergo immunotherapy This latest mesothelioma treatment may improve the quality of life of a patient and improve their outlook Treatment Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, including the lung pleural mesothelioma, the stomach peritoneal mesothelioma or the testicles or the heart pericardial mesothelioma It is impossible to cure mesothelioma but treatment can help reduce symptoms Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and check for symptoms of mesothelioma Your doctor will ask you about asbestos exposure because it is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to get trapped in the chest cavity's lining and tummy, or the heart mesothelium As time passes, this causes inflammation and changes normal cells into cancerous ones Blood tests and imaging tests can be used to detect mesothelioma Your healthcare provider uses chest X-rays to determine if 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 will also do the needle biopsy to collect an in-situ sample of the affected tissue A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will look at the mesothelioma tissues under a microscope to detect cancerous cells and determine the type of mesothelioma you have The doctor will use dyes to stain tissue samples to diagnose the cancer The dye will be visible when certain types of cancer are present The doctor will then use techniques to magnify the tissue Mesothelioma is often difficult to identify because mesothelioma-related cells appear like other types of cell within the body Your healthcare team will try to confirm the diagnosis by performing other tests These include a blood test to determine levels of fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related peptide that is soluble Your healthcare team will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma, based on your cancer type and stage Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most commonly used treatment options for mesothelioma Palliative treatment may be offered if your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage This will alleviate your pain and other symptoms Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma is determined by the type and stage of cancer and other factors like age and general health Patients should consult with doctors who are experienced to learn about their treatment options Mesothelioma develops 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 transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumours The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lung lining and the chest cavity pleura and mesothelioma peritoneal, a less common form that develops in the protective lining of the abdomen Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, laboratory tests, and X-rays https//vimeocom/704880595 may also suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis A biopsy is the removal the tissue to be examined Doctors can then compare the biopsy samples against a database to determine the most likely mesothelioma-related cell type This information can be used to predict the longevity of a patient with mesothelioma, as well as their treatment plan The mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells Each mesothelioma forms at a different pace and responds differently to treatment Epithelioid cancer makes up 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a higher survival rate than biphasic or sarcomatoid mesothelioma It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos Therefore, many patients don't get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they experience significant symptoms Asbestos sufferers should report their exposure to a physician and undergo periodic checkups During these visits, doctors examine for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring on the lung and other respiratory issues They can also perform simple blood tests to assess the health of the patient If the results show that a patient's risk for mesothelioma is high they can schedule additional tests to determine a mesothelioma prognosis This could include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as a lung function test and an chest MRI or PET scan