Lung Cancer Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancers caused by asbestos exposure could cause heart and lung damage Mesothelioma is found in the lining that surrounds these organs The symptoms of mesothelioma appear over 10 to 50 years, and look similar to the symptoms of less serious diseases This time of latency makes it challenging to diagnose Doctors detect lung cancer based on the nature and cell structure There are two broad categories of cancer small cell and non-small cell Signs and symptoms Lung cancer asbestos mesothelioma occurs in the protective linings of internal organs called the mesothelium It is a tumor that is aggressive that usually develops in the lungs, but it can also develop in the lining of the heart, abdomen and testicles It can take a long time from the first exposure to the onset of symptoms Asbestos is a variety of minerals that contain microscopic fibers These fibers can be inhaled, swallowed and bonded to organ linings Asbestos is usually exposed to when a worker is working in a field in which it is used as insulation or a building material Mesothelioma is a deadly disease that affects construction workers, asbestos miners, and welding professionals Veterans exposed to asbestos during the military are also at risk of the disease The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is to make an appointment with a doctor During the visit, doctors ask patients to identify any symptoms they might be experiencing They will also examine the patient's medical records to determine if they have any medical conditions that increase their risk of developing mesothelioma If mesothelioma has been suspected, doctors can order chest X-rays as well as CT scans to find any abnormalities X-rays may reveal calcium deposits in the lungs, thickening of the lung lining or fluid in the lung space and the chest wall A CT scan is a more sophisticated device that takes a variety of X-rays, and combine them to produce images of the inside of the body It can reveal any changes in the structure of the abdomen or lungs and help doctors locate the tumor A CT scan can also look for signs of mesothelioma within the lining of the chest cavity or the peritoneum It can also be used to determine if the cancer has spread to other regions of the body If mesothelioma has regressed to other organs of the body, a biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of the disease VATS video assisted thoracoscopic surgery can be utilized in some instances to perform lung biopsy This involves inserting a tube containing cameras into the chest cavity The chest cavity is then injected with sterile talcum in order to cause inflammation This reduces the size of the cavity and allows doctors to collect 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 is located in the lungs, doctors can also examine the lungs using CT scans and FDG-positron emission tomography PET Doctors diagnose pleural mesothelioma by taking a sample of the lung fluid, or any other part of the chest wall that is affected by mesothelioma They also conduct a biopsy of the tissue to determine if there is mesothelioma or other cancer cells A doctor may also order tests on blood to determine whether the patient has high levels of certain chemicals that indicate mesothelioma Both lung cancer and mesothelioma are alike in many ways however, lung cancer is a form of cancer that grows in the lungs, while mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining around the lung This means that the symptoms of mesothelioma may be confused with those of other diseases like pneumonia or influenza In addition, mesothelioma could take 10 - 50 years to show symptoms and patients should be aware of any unusual symptoms to their doctor A mesothelioma specialist can help patients determine if their symptoms are linked to asbestos exposure They can also discuss their symptoms and what types of tests or procedures they should undergo They can also help patients locate mesothelioma specialists to help them make a diagnosis Researchers are working on new ways to differentiate mesothelioma from other diseases For example they can determine asbestos-related proteins, or determine the levels of hyaluronic acid in the eyes and joints These tests could be used in determining the mesothelioma's type and how it will react Reporting any unusual symptoms, especially those that are related to lung cancer or mesothelioma, to your doctor is very important Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure should see their physician regularly for medical examinations This will help them receive an early diagnosis of mesothelioma and improve the chances of receiving treatment that can extend their lifespans Contact the Mesothelioma Hope Team today to speak to an experienced Patient Advocate Treatment The type of mesothelioma lung cancer the patient has determines his or her treatment options Patients should discuss the available treatment options with a physician Many patients opt for active treatment, which may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, to improve their odds of survival Doctors can also treat mesothelioma using immunotherapy This is a new treatment that makes use of targeted drugs to target specific cells in the body Lung cancer asbestos mesothelioma may present with a range of symptoms which makes it difficult to determine https//vimeocom/704884674 may be similar to other respiratory diseases, or even heart disease Asbestos patients should see an expert immediately if they experience any of the following symptoms A biopsy can be performed by a doctor to determine if the patient has mesothelioma The doctor will place a needle under the skin or cut an incision within the abdomen or chest to remove a small piece of tissue The tissue will be examined under a microscope in order to determine if the tissue is mesothelioma Mesothelioma can be classified into two types epithelioid and sarcomatoid Epithelioid Mesothelioma is more invasive than sarcomatoid, however it has a better outlook A thoracoscopic biopsy that allows direct visualization of pleural tumors can improve diagnostic accuracy by up to 25 percent Both mesothelioma and lung cancer, are cancers However, they're not the same Lung cancer is a disease that affects the lung Mesothelioma develops in the linings of organs such as the lungs and the heart Exposure to asbestos can cause both cancers Asbestos workers who have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma should consider participating in clinical trials that test new treatments This could result in better results and a longer time of living symptom-free However, it is crucial for patients to discuss their wishes and goals with their doctors Some patients may decide to endure side effects in order to improve their prognosis Others would prefer to remain comfortable for as long as they can These choices should be made in collaboration with the health care team Prognosis Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, develops in the mesothelium This is a thin membrane that covers and protects organs such as the lung It is often associated with asbestos exposure and symptoms can manifest between 10 and fifty years after exposure The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is to obtain the patient's medical background, which includes details about exposure to asbestos The doctor will also conduct a chest CT scan and an X-ray scan of the lung region These tests may show changes in the lining of the lung, such as abnormal thickening or calcium deposits They can also help doctors detect fluid accumulation in the pleural space, or the space between the lungs and chest wall A doctor may also take a sample of tissue from around the lungs to test for mesothelioma cancer cells This is accomplished through the procedure known as Thorcentesis This can be done by a doctor in an office, hospital or at home The sample is then examined by a mesothelioma specialist Doctors will also order blood tests to look for elevated levels that could indicate mesothelioma They may also want to look at the lungs' lining, which is possible by a procedure known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VAT Asbestos patients must be aware that it is possible for mesothelioma develop in areas of the body other than the lungs Mesothelioma, for example, can affect the linings of the abdomen, the heart, and testicles Mesothelioma can also form in the tissue lining the heart sac that is known as pericardial mesothelioma Mesothelioma can be hard to recognize because it's not as prevalent as lung cancer, and it can easily be mistaken for less serious illnesses like pneumonia or the flu The disease can progress quickly and is difficult to treat Doctors can improve the chances of patients' survival through mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy The mesothelioma prognosis is not set in stone Some patients have lived longer than they expected to