Lung Cancer Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer caused by asbestos exposure can affect the abdomen, lungs, and the heart Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lining around these organs The symptoms of mesothelioma can develop over a period of 10 to 50 years, and are like those of less serious illnesses This delay in development makes it difficult to determine the cause Doctors detect lung cancer by looking at the type of cancer and its cell structure There are two broad categories of cancer that are small and non-small cell Symptoms Lung cancer asbestos mesothelioma is found in the protective linings around internal organs known as the mesothelium It is a tumor that can form in the linings around the abdomen, the heart, and testicles From the moment of exposure, it could take several years before symptoms begin to appear Asbestos is a variety of minerals that have microscopic fibers These fibers can be swallowed, inhaled and adhere to organ linings Most often, exposure to asbestos occurs when an individual works in an industry that uses asbestos as an insulation or building material Mesothelioma is a serious disease that can affect construction workers, asbestos miners, and welders Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service in the military are also at risk The first step to recognize mesothelioma is to make an appointment with a physician During this appointment, doctors will ask patients about any symptoms they are experiencing They will also look over the medical history of a patient to determine if they suffer from any conditions that increase their risk of developing mesothelioma If mesothelioma has been identified, physicians may order chest X-rays and blood tests or CT scans to identify any abnormalities X-rays could reveal calcium deposits in the lungs, thickening in the lung lining, or fluid between the lung A CT scan is a more advanced device that combines several X-rays to produce an image of the inside of your body It can reveal changes in the structure or the lungs or abdomen and help doctors find the tumor A CT scan may also search for signs of mesothelioma in the the chest cavity or peritoneum It can also determine if the tumor has spread to other areas of the body A biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of mesothelioma VATS video assisted thoracoscopic surgical can be used in some instances to perform a lung biopsy This involves inserting a tube equipped with a camera through the chest The chest cavity is injected with a sterile talcum to create inflammation, which closes the area and allows doctors to take samples Diagnosis The diagnosis of mesothelioma is determined by the symptoms, medical history and laboratory tests Doctors compare cancerous cells elsewhere within the body with asbestos-related cells that are found in fluid or tissue samples If the mesothelioma occurs in the lung, doctors may also examine the lung area using CT scans and FDG-positron emission PET Doctors diagnose pleural msothelioma after taking a sample of the lung fluid, or any other part of the chest wall that has been affected by mesothelioma They also take a biopsy of tissue to look for mesothelioma and other cancer cells A doctor can also request blood tests to determine if someone has high levels of certain chemicals that may indicate mesothelioma Mesothelioma and lung cancer are alike in many ways, but mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the lungs, whereas lung cancer is a disease that affects the lung This means that the symptoms of mesothelioma could be confused with other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia Additionally, mesothelioma may take 10 - 50 years before showing signs therefore, patients must report any unusual symptoms to their doctor A mesothelioma expert can assist patients determine if their symptoms may be caused by asbestos exposure They can also talk about their symptoms and what types of testing or procedures they should have They can even assist patients locate a mesothelioma specialist to assist them in determining the cause Researchers are working on new methods to help tell mesothelioma apart from other diseases like identifying asbestos-related proteins in the body, or determining levels of hyaluronic acid in joints and eyes These tests could be used to identify the mesothelioma type and predict how it will react to treatment It is crucial to notify any unusual symptoms to your doctor particularly when they are related to mesothelioma or lung cancer Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure should see their doctor regularly for medical examinations This can help them get an early mesothelioma diagnosis and increase the odds of receiving treatment that can extend their lifespans Contact the Mesothelioma Hope Team today to speak with a seasoned Patient Advocate Treatment The type of lung cancer mesothelioma the patient has determines the treatment options available to them Patients should discuss treatment options with their doctor https//vimeocom/704889759 prefer to undergo active treatment, which may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, to improve their prognosis Doctors can also treat mesothelioma by using immunotherapy This is an experimental treatment that uses specific drugs to target specific cells in the body Lung cancer asbestos mesothelioma could manifest with a variety of symptoms which makes it difficult to diagnose The symptoms are often similar to the symptoms of other respiratory illnesses or even heart diseases If you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult your physician immediately A biopsy may be conducted by a doctor to determine if the patient is suffering from mesothelioma The doctor will insert an needle through the skin or cut an incision on the abdomen or chest to remove a small amount of tissue The tissue will be examined under microscope to determine if the tissue is mesothelioma Mesothelioma can be divided into two types epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid Epithelioid Mesothelioma is more invasive than sarcomatoid, but has a better chance of survival A thoracoscopic biopsies with the direct visualization of pleural nodules can improve diagnostic accuracy by up to 25 Both mesothelioma and cancer, are cancers But, they're not the same Lung cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the lungs, while mesothelioma develops in the lining of organs, such as the lungs, the heart, and abdomen Exposure to asbestos can cause both cancers Asbestos workers who recently been diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma should consider participating in clinical trials that test new treatments This could result in better outcomes and a longer period of living symptom-free It is crucial to discuss the patient's goals and desires with their doctors Some patients might choose to take a risk in the hope of an improved prognosis, while others prefer to be comfortable for as long as they can These decisions should be made in collaboration with the health medical team Prognosis Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is found in the mesothelium This is a thin membrane which covers and protects organs such as the lungs It is usually caused by asbestos exposure and it takes between 10 to 50 years for symptoms to show up The first step in determining mesothelioma involves obtaining the medical history of the patient which includes details about asbestos exposure Doctors also will take a chest X-ray and an CT scan of the lung area These tests can reveal changes to the lining of the lung, like abnormal thickness or calcium deposits These tests can also be used to check for the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity or the space between lungs and the chest wall A doctor will also collect a sample of tissue from around the lungs in order to test for mesothelioma cells This is accomplished through the procedure known as Thorcentesis It can be performed by a physician in a hospital, clinic or at home A mesothelioma expert examines the specimen Additionally, doctors often request blood tests to look for the presence of certain chemicals which could be indicative of mesothelioma They might also examine the lining of the lungs which is possible via a procedure known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VAT Asbestos sufferers must be aware that it is possible for mesothelioma develop in areas of the body, other than the lungs For instance, mesothelioma could affect the abdominal lining, heart and testicles Mesothelioma may also develop in the tissue lining the heart sac, which is known as pericardial mesothelioma It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since it is less common than lung cancer and can be misinterpreted as less serious illnesses like pneumonia or the flu The disease can progress quickly and is difficult to treat Mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, can improve the prognosis of patients The mesothelioma prognosis isn't set in stone Some patients have survived longer than they thought