Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment
When mesothelioma is diagnosed for the first time doctors request scans of the body to detect any cancerous growths on the abdomen or chest. Mesothelioma may mimic other diseases such as lung cancer or pneumonia that can lead to misdiagnosis.
A biopsy is performed by the doctor to diagnose mesothelioma. There are three main mesothelioma types: epithelial (epidermal), the sarcomatoid (sarcoma) and biphasic. Each type responds to treatment differently and has a distinct impact on life expectancy.
Diagnosis
Doctors will run several tests if mesothelioma was suspected. This includes chest X ray, CT scans, and biopsies. The X-ray shows the accumulation of fluid on one side of the chest. This is known as pleural effusion and it is often the first sign of mesothelioma. However, X-rays may not be the most reliable method to determine the severity of the disease.
A chest CT scan is the next step. This will create a detailed image of your organs and lungs. A doctor will inject you with dye to highlight the areas that are cancerous. During the CT scan, you'll be taken through a doughnut-shaped scanner while lying on the mattress. The procedure only takes about a minute and isn't particularly uncomfortable, even for people who feel claustrophobic.
In certain instances doctors may also perform an MRI test. The scans produce high-quality images with radio waves and strong magnetic fields. If you have a mesothelioma that is affecting the diaphragm or the diaphragm, then an MRI can aid doctors in locating it and determine the extent to which it is. Certain patients may also undergo a PET scan. You will be given a radioactive dye in this test. Cancer cells will absorb the dye much more than healthy cells which is why they appear brighter in the images.
A biopsy is the last test to confirm mesothelioma. A doctor will remove an insignificant portion of the affected lining which will be examined under a microscope in order to determine if cancer cells are present. This procedure is done under local anaesthetic. It can be done through surgery or by inserting needles guided by the aid of a CT scan.
The doctor will rely on the results from the other tests if the biopsy confirms that you have mesothelioma. This stage defines the severity of mesothelioma and the treatment is best for you. Learn more about staging by reading the section on this guide titled Staging.
Treatment
A variety of treatment options are available for mesothelioma. Certain treatments can enhance the quality of life, or extend the life span of patients longer than other. Patients with mesothelioma need to discuss their goals and figure out the best treatment strategy.
Surgery can be used to treat mesothelioma. During this procedure surgeons attempt to remove all cancerous tissues. If mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage, doctors may not be able of removing the cancer completely. Surgeons can still reduce the symptoms.
The most well-known mesothelioma type is mesothelioma that is found within the lining of the lungs. In some instances people, they may develop mesothelioma that is located in the membrane around the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). In rare cases there is also the possibility that a person could have mesothelioma affecting the testicles (testicular mesothelioma).
Mesothelioma is treatable with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. These treatments are usually delivered by mesothelioma experts in specialized centers. Chemotherapy employs drugs to kill mesothelioma cancer cells and inhibit their growth. Pemetrexed and Cisplatin are the standard first-line drug combination for pleural msothelioma.
Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy beams to kill cancerous cell. This type of treatment is typically used in conjunction with other mesothelioma treatment like surgery or chemotherapy.
It can also be used to kill any residual microscopic mesothelioma that surgeons did not remove during surgery. These treatments can trigger a variety of side effects on mesothelioma patients. These include nausea, fatigue, and loss of hair.
A mesothelioma doctor can help patients choose the right treatment for their individual needs. They can also recommend alternative ways to improve the quality of life of patients. This might include regular pleural drainage for breathing, or strong painkillers. Patients should ensure their medical team knows about any other medications they take such as supplements, herbs or over-the-counter drugs. This will help avoid any potentially dangerous interactions between these medications.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the mesothelium membrane that lines the body's cavities, including the abdominal and chest cavity. If independence mesothelioma attorneys is diagnosed with mesothelioma, malignant cells form in this tissue and spread to other parts of the body that can cause symptoms such pain and difficulty breathing.
A specialist doctor's diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial because it is the first step to receive treatment. Mesothelioma diagnosis can be made in different ways, such as physical examination, laboratory tests and a biopsy. A biopsy is a small sample of the tumor or mass to test for mesothelioma.
If you are misdiagnosed with mesothelioma, it is extremely risky as it can delay treatment and even worsen the likelihood of a positive outcome. Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize, as the symptoms can be similar to lung cancer or other common illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Because of this, mesothelioma is frequently mistakenly diagnosed as a respiratory disease.
The prognosis of mesothelioma varies on the type and stage, as well as the age, general health and medical history. The cancer can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients may also receive palliative care to manage fatigue, pain, and other signs.
The mesothelioma stage is an indication of the extent to which the disease has spread and how far it has already advanced. A doctor will make use of their best judgement to determine the stage by taking into consideration the symptoms and how fast the cancer is growing.
The rate of survival for mesothelioma depends on the stage, type and location of the cancer. The prognosis of those diagnosed with less common types of mesothelioma is less favorable. Patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma for example, have a better chance of living longer due to the fact that it tends to grow slower in the abdomen than pleural mesothelioma can do in the chest. Patients with high tolerance to treatment can live longer than patients with less tolerance. A few patients with peritoneal mesothelioma were able to achieve good results when they combined chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
Symptoms
When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed they adhere to the lining of organs and cause them to grow into tumors. Mesothelioma is the most common type of cancer in the lungs, however it can also be found in the chest wall, abdomen and testicles (in males). The symptoms of mesothelioma typically don't manifest until 40-50 years after exposure.
The first step in determining mesothelioma is taking a background of exposure to asbestos. Your doctor will then do an examination of your body and discuss your symptoms.
A chest X ray can reveal abnormal thickening of the lungs or fluid in the space that separates the lungs and the chest wall. A lung CT scan can also be used to identify mesothelioma as well as other cancers in the lungs.
You can have blood tests done to check on the health of your liver and kidneys. The doctor may also order a chest MRI or an PET scan to check for any other mesothelioma or cancers of the chest wall, lungs or abdomen.
If you are required to take a biopsy of the tumor is required, doctors will remove it through surgery or by insertion of a needle through the chest wall while under local anesthesia. The doctor will examine the area under the magnifying glass to determine if this is malignant mesothelioma, or a different type of cancer.
The results of these tests will allow doctors to determine the extent of the mesothelioma after a diagnosis. They will assign mesothelioma a staging number, which can be important in making plans for your treatment.
They are not cancerous, and they won't recur when surgically removed. They typically develop in the pleura as well as in the abdominal lining. Mesothelioma in the pericardium is more difficult to treat as it affects the heart. It may also recur after surgery. Mesothelioma can also grow to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes or the bones that are outside the abdomen and chest. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to the symptoms of other less serious illnesses. This makes it difficult to identify. This can lead to incorrect diagnosis, which may delay your treatment. A delay in treatment can result in complications and reduce the chance of surviving.