Mesothelioma - What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with all cancers, starts when changes (mutations) occur in the DNA of cells. The mutations cause the cells to expand and multiply unchecked, resulting in a tumor.
The symptoms of mesothelioma differ based on the nature and location of the cancer. For instance, pleural mesothelioma causes fluid buildup in the lining of the chest cavity called pleural effusion.
Diagnosis
Most often mesothelioma is diagnosed when the patient visits their family physician. They will speak to the patient about their symptoms and conduct a physical exam. They may also order several tests.
These tests are used to assess the health of an individual's overall and the effectiveness of their organs. They may include blood tests that will check for certain mesothelioma-related chemicals. X-rays can also be helpful particularly for patients with pleural cancer. They can show fluid accumulation and a thickening of the pleura. For people with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region An MRI scan might be used to check the abdomen for indications of cancer.
The doctor is likely to require a sample of the area the area of growth of the cancer, called biopsy. They will then send this to a laboratory to be analyzed. They will check for mesothelioma in the tissue and assess the rate of growth and spread of the cells. The type of mesothelioma that the cells have is important to the prognosis of mesothelioma. There are three types of mesothelioma epithelioid (which is responsible for 70% of diagnoses) and sarcomatoid (20% of diagnoses).
A surgical biopsy is a method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease. This is done with the surgeon inserting a needle into the abdomen or chest wall and removing a small amount of tissue that will be examined.
Additionally, doctors can remove the fluid that builds up in the pleura (called a pleural effusion) or peritoneum to check it for mesothelioma. This is done by putting a tube down the throat of a person who is sedated. It's known as an endobronchial ultra-sound needle biopsy.
Other methods for obtaining mesothelioma tissues include fine needle biopsies or thoracoscopy. During these tests, doctors utilize scans of the image to guide a video camera into the abdomen or chest. They then remove or drain tissue samples to be examined by pathologists. In some cases the GP might also recommend a special staining for the tissue sample. This test looks for certain molecules that only exist in mesothelioma cells and helps differentiate them from other cancerous or non-cancerous cells.
Treatment
When mesothelioma is discovered doctors will try to eliminate as much of it as they can. This reduces the symptoms and increases the chance of cancer recurrence. Doctors can also employ other methods to slow the growth of mesothelioma, or stop it from spreading. These include radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. Doctors may also give people medicines to ease nausea, pain, and other symptoms.
The treatment options you have are determined by the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from. You and your doctor discuss treatment options and how they could affect your life quality. This is called shared decision making and is an an important part of the mesothelioma care team process.
The pleura is the lining that covers the lungs. The pleura shields and protects the diaphragm and chest wall and lungs. Pleural mesothelioma is distinct from lung cancer, which develops within the lungs itself.
During surgery, doctors can take a biopsy of the mesothelioma pleural to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether it has spread to other parts of the body. It is possible to do this using VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery), which is a kind of keyhole surgery; or using CT-guided needles in order to collect a sample of the pleural tissues for analysis under a local anaesthetic.
If the mesothelioma cannot be removed, doctors can drain the pleura of fluid in order to relieve chest pain and breathlessness. They may also provide treatments to alleviate other symptoms such as fatigue and pain as well as loss of appetite.
Some patients opt for radiotherapy or chemotherapy to shrink the mesothelioma cancer or to stop it from spreading. The standard of care is to adhere to these guidelines, however your doctor may recommend a different approach if he thinks it increases the odds of having a positive outcome.
If mesothelioma recurs after treatment, it's referred to as mesothelioma that has recurred. Those with recurrent mesothelioma may benefit from participating in clinical trials to test new treatments. Our Mesothelioma Research Tool can help you learn more about clinical trials. It provides examples of how other patients with similar tumors have gained from mesothelioma research.
Prognosis
The prognosis for those diagnosed with mesothelioma varies based on the cell type, where the tumor is located, and whether it has spread (metastasized) from the original site. Mesothelioma is classified as epithelial, sarcomatoid, or biphasic cancers. People who have mesothelioma with epithelioid cells tend to live longer to those who have a greater number of biphasic and sarcomatoid cancer cells.
Doctors use imaging tests and physical examinations to determine if a patient suffers from mesothelioma. They also review a patient's medical history, including any past exposure to asbestos. The doctor may request a biopsy to collect a small amount from the mass or tumor for laboratory testing. A biopsy can be performed through surgery, by inserting needles into the abdomen or chest or removing fluids using a thoracentesis procedure.
Mesothelioma is most common in the pleura, the membrane that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and the peritoneum, which is the membrane that surrounds organs like the intestines and liver and stomach and the pericardium, the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. The disease typically affects men more than women, and usually occurs in people who are older than 60 years old. It could take between 30 and 50 years after exposure to asbestos for symptoms to develop.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can include coughing, difficulty breathing or abdominal pain. Some patients experience fluid build-up in the abdomen, a condition that is known as ascites.
After diagnosing mesothelioma, doctors may do imaging tests to determine if the cancer is spreading or to check for other tumors within the body. They may also order blood testing to measure the levels of certain proteins, which are elevated in patients with mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma patients can improve their chances of survival in addition to having surgery by establishing healthy habits including getting enough sleep and sustaining a balance eating habits. They can also learn to relax and reduce their stress. A good support network can also assist patients manage their illness.
Prevention
The best way to avoid mesothelioma is to stay clear of asbestos exposure. Many people are at risk due to previous exposure. Regular screening can detect asbestos exposure earlier if you have a history of exposure.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, develops on the linings of organs and body structures. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. The cancer can affect lungs and abdomen, as well as the heart. There are different mesothelioma types. The most prevalent is called pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lung's lining (pleura). It may also affect the abdomen's lining (peritoneum) or testicles (asbestosis).
Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. The symptoms usually show up 20 years after exposure. pleural mesothelioma cancer who are most at risk of mesothelioma comprise those who worked with asbestos as miners, construction workers, welders or in the automotive industry. People who were exposed as a result their military service to asbestos may also be at high risk.
There are four different types of mesothelioma maligna. They are classified according to the type of cells that form them. They could be sarcomatoid or epithelial. Each type is treated with different options.
The most common form is malignant pleural melanoma. It occurs when the lining of the lungs (pleura) develops abnormal cells that grow and form tumors. It is more common in males than females.
It is often difficult to determine since the symptoms are often similar to those of other illnesses. They may include shortness of breath, chest pain and cough. A fluid in the lungs may occur (pleural effusion) and also swelling of the lungs, which is known as pulmonary edema. Pericardial mesothelioma is caused by abnormal cells in the pericardium which surrounds the heart. Mesothelioma can also grow in the testicles and cause unique symptoms, such as pain, a lump in the scrotum, and loss sexual function.
Other risk factors for mesothelioma can include a family history of the disease, a history of other cancers or genetics. Regular blood tests, X-rays and other tests can help identify asbestos in the lungs, or other indications of lung disease.