Mesothelioma Asbestosis
The symptoms of mesothelioma as well as asbestosis may be similar. Both conditions are caused from exposure to asbestos fibers as well as dust.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma of the pleural may undergo treatment such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Mesothelioma has four stages that reveal how the cancer has spread. Doctors use staging in order to determine treatment options and life expectations.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It is most commonly found in the lung lining as well as the chest cavity (pleura), but can also be found in the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or around the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma can be malignant. This means that it has the ability to expand and spread beyond its original site.
The first symptom is often a cough that doesn't produce phlegm. Other symptoms include breathlessness, weight loss and fatigue. In certain cases, patients experience lumps or swelling in their abdomen.
A patient's physician may recommend an expert if they're experiencing these symptoms. The specialist will run a series of tests to determine whether mesothelioma or any other cancers are the reason. They will use imaging scanners to examine the stomachs, lungs, or heart and perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
When it is pleural mesothelioma that needs to be treated, doctors have two main surgical options that include an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) which eliminates the tumor and a portion of the affected lung, as well as the diaphragm, and a small portion of the lining of the heart as well as a pleurectomy that includes pulmonary decortication (P/D) that removes the pleura, but not the entire affected lung. Other forms of treatment include radiation and chemotherapy. The first utilizes high-energy X rays to destroy cancerous cells. The second makes use of drugs like pemetrexed or carboplatin in order to eliminate cancerous cells or slow down their growth.
Patients must inform their physician if they have ever been exposed to asbestos. This is important, as mesothelioma may develop within a period of time of up to 20 years following the initial exposure to asbestos. The doctor will also ask about the frequency and duration of exposure since these factors can affect the development of symptoms.
If your GP suspects you have mesothelioma they will order an CT scan in order to determine how much the cancer has spread throughout the body. If the mesothelioma is spreading to the lung, a bronchoscopy should be performed to check the airways of the lungs and lymph nodes. In certain instances, the doctor may also suggest a chest MRI or PET-CT scan to assess if the cancer has been able to spread to the heart.
Diagnosis
The best way to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma involves taking an amount of tissue or fluid. The sample is used by doctors to look for cancerous cells that differ from normal cells. A biopsy can be done surgically or with a needle. Doctors may also utilize imaging tests, like x-rays and CT scans to identify mesothelioma. They may also do a positron emission tomography (PET) scan that is used to find cancerous cells that have expanded.
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms may be so similar to other conditions. For example the chest pain that occurs with mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as heart disease or lung cancer. Pleural effusion, a condition caused by asbestos, can be misinterpreted as bronchitis or pneumonia.
If doctors suspect that a patient is suffering from mesothelioma they will ask them about their past exposure to asbestos and the symptoms. The doctor will also perform an examination of the body and inquire about the medical history of family members. The doctor will then order blood and urine tests to look for elevated levels of certain proteins. These tests can be conducted in a hospital setting or at home.
These tests will help doctors determine the level of asbestos in the body as well as how the other organs are performing. They will also ask whether the patient has had any previous surgery. A CT scan and chest x-ray will be taken to determine the presence of mesothelioma.
Doctors will usually take an echocardiogram, which makes use of sound waves to create an image of the heart, in case they believe a person has pericardial mesothelioma. A MRI scan may be beneficial in the event of pleural mesothelioma, since it can provide detailed images of soft tissues. Mediastinoscopy can be performed by inserting a tube with cameras and a light inside the chest to examine and sample the lymph nodes located near the center. This is particularly beneficial when mesothelioma is spreading to these areas.
Treatment
Mesothelioma asbestosis is a slow-moving respiratory disease, but there are treatment options that can ease symptoms and improve the quality of life. Doctors can use treatments, fluid drainage techniques or surgeries, or a combination of these methods to ease fatigue and pain in the lung. Doctors can also assist patients cope with fatigue and how it affects their daily routine.
The first step to treating mesothelioma is to determine whether cancerous cells are present. A biopsy is the best method to determine. The biopsy will take a small sample of mesothelium. They then examine it under a microscope to see whether there are cancerous cells. A biopsy is typically done via surgery, but doctors can also perform a procedure called thoracentesis. This involves inserting a needle through the chest to take out samples of fluid to test.
A surgeon might decide, after the test results have been confirmed to remove any affected parts of the body. This is usually performed to treat pleural mesothelioma but it can be performed to treat peritoneal mesothelioma as well. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs (pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers are ingested and then lodged in the digestive tract.
After surgery, patients are able to make steps to increase their level of comfort. This includes taking naps earlier in the day, planning excursions to the mall and other activities when they are feeling stronger, and participating in moderate exercise to reduce fatigue. Patients can also inquire with their healthcare provider about clinical trials for mesothelioma treatment. These trials focus on new mesothelioma treatment options that haven't yet been approved by FDA.
Other treatments, like radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, may be available. Immunotherapy and radiation are used to enhance the body's natural defence systems against cancer. Targeted therapy is the use of specific drugs to target the weaknesses within mesothelioma cancer cells. Every patient's situation is unique. It is important to discuss with a mesothelioma specialist all treatment options.
Prognosis
A prognosis is an approximate estimation of the extent to which a mesothelioma grows and what treatment options are available. It can also tell patients how long they should expect to live after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. A patient's general health is another factor in their mesothelioma prognosis. Patients who are healthier and have better blood tests such as normal haemoglobin levels and higher platelet and white cells counts will have a greater chance of being able to survive mesothelioma. west valley city asbestos attorneys will also be better at enduring chemotherapy and surgery than people with lower general health.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is aggressive that often has a worse prognosis than other forms of cancer. This is mainly due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed later after the cancer has already taken hold. The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other illnesses, making it difficult to recognize. In some cases, it can take decades from the point that asbestos exposure is discovered until a person develops mesothelioma.
There are two types of mesothelioma, namely pleural and peritoneal. Both are triggered by exposure to asbestos. This cancer affects the mesothelial tissues which cover the majority of the internal organs of the body.
The cancerous cells that cause pleural mesothelioma affect the membrane that lines the chest cavity. It can also affect membranes that surround the heart (pericardium) or around the testicles.
Asbestosis is not a variant of mesothelioma but it does exhibit similar symptoms to those of mesothelioma. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and it can cause lung problems, including the formation of scarring and stiffness of the lungs. It is possible to contract mesothelioma and asbestosis at the same time.
Mesothelioma cancer is only found in those who have been exposed to asbestos. It usually develops in the chest lining, abdomen and other organs. It is not caused by smoking, and the majority of people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos while they worked. People who have smoked and those who have other illnesses like diabetes or heart disease could be more likely to develop mesothelioma more than other people.