Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a scary diagnosis. Your prognosis is contingent on how far the cancer has spread, as well as the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from.
The most frequent type is pleural, and is found in the lung lining. The other two types are mixed and peritoneal mesothelioma. Each has a distinct survival rate.
Signs and symptoms
The mesothelium is the lining of the organs. The majority of cancers occur in the lungs. However, it can also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma is classified according to the type, location and stage of the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can increase the chance of survival. Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma are similar to those of other diseases and are difficult to identify. As a result, mesothelioma often goes undiagnosed for years.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, coughing and an impression that the abdomen or chest are tight. Patients may also have difficulty breathing. Patients may also notice weight loss and loss in appetite. A doctor will review the health history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to look for signs of mesothelioma. A doctor may order imaging tests, like an CT scan of the chest or abdomen to determine if mesothelioma is present. They can also utilize the thoracentesis procedure to drain the lungs of fluids, and examine a sample of tissue for mesothelioma biopsies.
The doctor will decide on the best method for mesothelioma treatments. Patients should discuss any asbestos exposure with their doctors and can ask for an appointment with a seasoned mesothelioma specialist in the event of need.
A mesothelioma diagnosis requires multiple specialists, and a team of healthcare experts can assist patients in managing their symptoms and get the most effective treatment for mesothelioma that is available. The team could include a general physician, a pulmonologist, or chest surgeons, as well being an interventional radioologist, medical oncologist and a radiation-oncologist.
The most common mesothelioma type known as pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent. It develops in the pleura of the lungs and accounts for about 75 percent of mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common and is found in the stomach's peritoneum. It is more difficult to treat than pleural mesothelioma and has a poor prognosis. As the tumor grows it may press on the diaphragm or the lining of the heart. This can result in severe pain. It can also cause trouble breathing and difficulty swallowing.
Diagnosis
If someone begins to experience symptoms of mesothelioma, he or she should consult an expert. The doctor will evaluate the patient and order tests to determine whether mesothelioma caused the symptoms.
It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases. It could take some time to link mesothelioma with asbestos exposure. Even if an individual is aware that they have been exposed to asbestos, the cancer may grow slowly and not be discovered until it reaches an advanced stage.
During the initial diagnosis the doctor will go over the patient's past medical history and inquire about any previous asbestos exposure. A doctor will also conduct a physical exam. In addition the doctor will also conduct imaging tests and blood tests to check for changes in the lungs or abdomen.
An x-ray or CT scan can allow doctors to detect any changes in the chest and abdominal walls caused by mesothelioma. This could include pleural thickening and the development of pleural effusion (fluid build-up around the abdomen or lungs). A doctor may also order an MRI or PET scan to create precise images of the affected area and see how the tumors affect surrounding tissue.
The blood tests are designed to determine elevated levels of certain substances created by mesothelioma tumor cells. These tests will aid in confirming mesothelioma's diagnosis and determine a treatment strategy.
If the doctor has a high suspicion of mesothelioma, they will request a biopsy to obtain a sample of the cancer. A tube will be put into the stomach or lungs to extract the small amount of tissue. If this is not possible the surgeon may make an incision on the chest (thoracotomy) or abdomen (laparotomy) to remove a larger sample of tissue or, in some cases the entire tumor.
The mesothelioma is then examined to determine the type and severity. There are three types of mesothelioma, epithelial (also known as mixed type) or sarcomatoid. They are also biphasic. The diagnosis will allow the doctor to determine the best method of treatment is.
mesothelioma and lung cancer develops when the genetic mutations in cells causes them to multiply and grow out of control. As time passes, abnormal cells accumulate and grow into a tumor that can be surrounded with healthy tissue. Mesothelioma can be a very dangerous cancer. However, there are treatment options that can prolong life and improve symptoms for many patients.
Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the location where the tumors are situated. About 3 out of 4 mesotheliomas start in the chest cavity, a condition referred as mesothelioma pleural. Another 10% to 20% of cases begin in the abdominal cavity. This is known as peritoneal msothelioma. Mesothelioma can also form in the tissues around the heart, a rare type of mesothelioma referred to as cardiac peritoneal mesothelioma.
The mesothelioma can be treated by surgical removal of tumors and/or by using different cancer treatments. Mesothelioma physicians collaborate to develop an overall treatment plan that is specific to each patient. The plans typically comprise a mixture of treatments for cancer that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
The surgical procedures used to remove mesothelioma are different based on the location the tumors are located and the stage of development. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a more complex operation that involves removing the diaphragm and lung, in addition to visible tumors. They can also perform a pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery, in which the doctor removes the pleura and any visible tumors around the lungs and chest wall. Mesothelioma patients benefit from a treatment called cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC), which involves removing the tumors in the abdominal cavity, and then washing them off with heated chemotherapy.
In the course of treatment, mesothelioma sufferers will experience a range of side effects. These include fatigue, a higher risk of infection, nausea, or vomiting. Some patients might experience numbness or the sensation of tingling on their fingers or toes, as well as low blood cell counts hair loss, and an increase in blood cell count. To help alleviate these side effects doctors may prescribe painkillers, nutrition supplements and other medications. Patients should talk to their doctor about all prescription medications to learn about them and possible side effects.
Prognosis
A doctor's mesothelioma diagnosis is an estimate of the patient's life expectancy. It is based on several aspects, such as the mesothelioma type and stage and the patient's age general health, and how well the treatment works.
The mesothelioma prognosis of a patient may improve if it is diagnosed at an early stage. The reason for this is because mesothelioma suffers from a long time of latency which means that doctors have to wait to see symptoms before diagnosing the disease.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by reviewing an individual's medical history before performing a physical exam. They can also request imaging tests or biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The kinds of imaging tests that doctors can order include chest CT scans as well as an MRI and a lung function test.
These tests can be used to determine the size and location of a mesothelioma. They can also determine if the cancer has spread. If the tumor is located in the pleura, doctors may perform a surgical procedure known as a thoracentesis to drain fluid and take samples for biopsy.
A person's GP can aid in coordinating mesothelioma treatment teams. Specialists may include a Pulmonologist (respiratory physician) as well as an interventional radiologist, a thoracic surgeon and a medical oncologist.
Doctors can also determine the kind of cancerous cells that are present in the tumor during the mesothelioma diagnosis. There are three different mesothelioma cell types, and a patient's overall health outlook can depend on which one they have. For instance, patients who have epithelioid-like mesothelioma are likely better outlook than those who have mesothelioma sarcomatoid.
Mesothelioma treatments can enhance the prognosis of patients by slowing the cancer's growth or stopping it from spreading. They can also improve the quality of life and help manage symptoms.
Many people with mesothelioma survived for years despite having a inadequate diagnosis. Stories of survivors who have overcome the odds can inspire and give hope to patients suffering from mesothelioma. A mesothelioma patient can inquire about clinical trials that may provide new treatment options. These trials give patients the chance to test experimental procedures that could prolong their lives.