What is Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be overwhelming. It's natural to feel shocked or asbestos confused, and even upset.

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the pleura, which covers the lungs and chest wall. The cancer causes the formation of fluid inside the lungs which makes it difficult for the patient to breathe.

Asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma. The most at risk are those who have worked with asbestos or who resided with someone who has.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the lining of tissues, known as the mesothelium. This lining wraps around and protects the majority of organs in your body including your heart, chest and abdomen. It is comprised of two layers, which form an enveloping sac that surrounds the organs in your body. The fluid that flows between the layers allows organs to move around freely. Mesothelioma cells can become malignant or cancerous, and grow into and destroy surrounding tissues. They may also spread to other areas of your body (metastasize).

The most at-risk group for developing mesothelioma are those who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos-related workers include builders plumbers, electricians, asbestos miners, welders, auto industry workers, and many more. A higher risk is also present for people who live near asbestos plants such as factories and power plants. Mesothelioma is diagnosed in people who were exposed to asbestos between 20 and 60 years before the illness manifests.

Pleural mesothelioma is most often found in the lining of the lungs. This kind of mesothelioma may cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, and weight loss. It typically affects the lungs, but it may also affect other organs such as the stomach and heart. People with peritoneal mesothelioma a rare type of disease that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity, can suffer from discomfort in the belly and abdomen, and difficulty eating.

The pericardial mesothelioma as well as the tunica vaginalis are the two other forms of mesothelioma. They both occur in the tissues that cover the linings of the abdomen, chest, or testicles. These mesothelioma types are not often diagnosed and have a less of a chance of survival than other types.

The mesothelioma treatment options depend on the type and location of the cancer and the stage at which it was diagnosed and general patient health. Some patients are successfully treated with radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. Patients with advanced mesothelioma may receive experimental treatments such as gene therapy or immunotherapy. In either case the treatment options available could significantly increase a person's duration.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that most often occurs in the chest's lining or abdominal cavity. It is caused by exposure to asbestos compensation, a heat - and fire-resistant mineral that was used in insulation, construction and shipbuilding power generation, home renovations prior to being banned in the 1970s. The exposure is mostly due to working in the asbestos industry, however, asbestos people who have cleaned up work clothes with asbestos fibres or disturbed asbestos during home renovations also risk developing mesothelioma.

The majority of patients suffering from mesothelioma suffer general symptoms like fatigue and weight loss and coughing that fluctuates in intensity or frequency, and chest pain. Patients should always consult with their physician if they experience any of these symptoms. It is also important to tell their doctor if they've been exposed to asbestos.

In pleural mesothelioma, symptoms typically occur due to the tumor causing fluid build-up in the space around the lungs. This build-up, also known as a pleural effusion, puts pressure on the lungs and makes breathing difficult. The ability to control the amount of fluid in the pleural cavity may improve breathlessness.

Other symptoms of Mesothelioma include a fever, night sweats and abdominal pain. The reason for the fever is the body's temperature rising as it fights the cancer. The body attempts to cool itself down by producing sweating during the night as a response to the temperature. These symptoms are all signs that the cancer is getting worse and causing body to stress.

The less common mesothelioma symptoms are the abdomen swelling, fatigue and difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue surrounding the heart, causing difficulty breathing and chest pain. It is also possible to develop mesothelioma in the testicles' membrane, causing swelling or an abnormal lump on the testicles.

Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify early because it is so rare. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other illnesses and may be mistaken for a pneumonia or flu. As a result, mesothelioma signs can take anywhere from months or even years to manifest before they are properly diagnosed.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a gruelling cancer. Doctors must determine if there are other health conditions with similar symptoms before determining mesothelioma. Once this is done, they will determine the best treatment options for you.

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and conduct a physical exam. Your doctor may also order blood tests to assess how well your organs are functioning. One such test is the complete blood count (CBC) which looks at the amount of white and red blood cells, how well your kidneys and liver are functioning, as well as other important information. Mesothelioma cells are often seen in these blood tests, however they aren't always easy to spot because they look similar to normal cells.

If your doctor suspects that you have mesothelioma they will likely order imaging tests to determine the location and extent of any growth or fluid in the abdomen or lungs. A chest radiograph is the most commonly used test, however if it doesn't reveal any abnormalities, doctors can then order more detailed tests like a CT scan or an MRI.

These tests produce detailed pictures of the body through the combination of radio waves with powerful magnets. They can detect thickening and fluid in the peritoneum or pleura which could be a sign of mesothelioma. A CT scan can also reveal other health issues such as lung infections or pneumonia.

A biopsy can help doctors get a better idea about the kind of cancer you suffer from. This is the only way to diagnose mesothelioma. The samples are examined under a magnifying lens to determine the type of mesothelioma and the extent of the cancer's spread.

Some doctors may also inject a dye into a vein or conduct other tests to determine the region where the cancer is located. This is referred to as mesothelioma staging, and it aids doctors in determining how far the tumor has been able to spread.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the cells that line the lung and other organs. The cells can multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors. The cancer can spread because the cells aren't able to respond to signals that stop the growth of the cells too fast. It can also infiltrate blood vessels that provide oxygen to the lungs. This can cause breathing difficulties and cough.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of the patient's symptoms and his history of asbestos exposure. They can also order imaging and other lab tests to detect and identify tumors. Chest X-rays, for instance, are a way to examine lung changes, including pleural thickening and the pleural effusion (fluid build-up). They can also request CT scanning, an MRI or a PET scan in order to determine the location of tumors and determine the extent of mesothelioma's spread. They can also draw fluid from the lungs (called a thoracentesis) to check for mesothelioma and to relieve pressure on the lungs caused by the accumulation of fluid.

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is made, doctors can plan treatments to treat the disease. It is essential to discuss your goals for treatment with your mesothelioma physician. Some patients require aggressive treatment in order to prolong their lives and increase their chances of their chances of survival, whereas others prefer a less-intensive approach to reduce nausea, pain and other adverse effects.

Mesothelioma treatments include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The type of treatment that a patient receives depends on the stage of mesothelioma and whether it is composed of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. Epithelioid cells are easier to remove via surgery and are more likely to be successful than sarcomatoid cells. Some patients are affected by a combination of both types and have an even worse outcome than those who have only epithelioid cancer.

After completing treatment it is crucial to follow up with your mesothelioma physician regularly. This can help prevent the cancer from recurring. Your mesothelioma treatment team will develop an alternative plan in the event that it does recur.

Patients with mesothelioma may enroll in clinical trials to try new treatments. Clinical trials provide patients access to the most cutting-edge treatments, but they are not yet approved for general use.