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Five Killer Quora Answers On Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the lungs, chest cavity and, in some cases, the linings of the abdomen and the heart. The most common reason for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.

Asbestos fibers may get stuck in tissues which can cause DNA damage. This turns cells into mesothelioma-like cancerous cells.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cells to change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. The majority of mesothelioma cases are located in the lung. However, it can also be found in the abdominal lining, heart and testicles.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort and coughing are the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. In addition, some patients are suffering from abdominal pain as well as fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. asbestos attorney can be a bit confusing and difficult to diagnose in the beginning stages particularly when mesothelioma still a relatively young disease. It may take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to manifest.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam and a medical history. A doctor may ask for blood tests or imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans include CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).

X-rays may reveal a mass or fluid that isn't normal in the lung. These scans aid the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. The two most common types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. Around 70% of mesothelioma is epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid.

Most people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and trouble breathing. People with pleural mesothelioma can have an abnormal heart sound or a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum.

The best way to accurately diagnose mesothelioma involves the taking of a biopsy of the tissue. The type of mesothelioma also determines the way a doctor treats the disease. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer, the doctor will drain the excess fluid through the procedure called pleurodesis, or insert the pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and enhance respiration. Other options include chemotherapy and surgery.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, occurs in the organ's linings, known as the mesothelium. The disease is most common in the lungs. However, it can also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes.

It takes between 10 and 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Due to this latency period many patients are incorrectly diagnosed. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious illnesses like the flu or pneumonia. This can lead to a delay in treatment, which could reduce the chance of a patient's survival.

If you suspect that you might have mesothelioma should visit their doctor right away. In the initial visit, doctors review the patient's entire medical history to determine signs and any other factors that could make people more likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes asbestos exposure in the past as well as the type and duration.

The doctor will then order imaging tests for the abdomen and chest to check for signs of mesothelioma. Chest Xrays, CT scans and MRIs all provide detailed images of the inside of the body. They can reveal lung changes like the thickening of the pleura or the buildup of fluid. They can also tell the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other organs of the body.

A doctor might also recommend a test of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels in certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation known as a Thoracentesis which involves taking out the lungs of fluid and examining for cancerous cells.

If a mesothelioma is confirmed the biopsy procedure is carried out to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle guided CT scan is a method to carry out this procedure. The results of this will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment for the patient. This may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Certain patients may choose to take part in immunotherapy. This newer form can improve the prognosis of a patient and increase their quality of life.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is a threat to the tissues that line and protect organs like the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or heart, or testicles. While mesothelioma can't be treated, treatment can help control symptoms.

Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and search for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your asbestos exposure, since it is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to get stuck in the linings of the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach or the heart. As time passes, this causes inflammation and changes normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma is diagnosed with imaging tests and blood tests.

Your doctor will make use of a chest X-ray to see changes in your lung tissue, and determine whether you have the build-up of fluid (pleural effusion). The doctor will recommend MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain precise images of the affected region. They may also perform an incisional needle biopsy to collect an image of the affected tissue.

A pathologist, also known as a mesothelioma expert, will analyze the tissue with a magnifying glass to identify cancerous cells and determine their kind. To establish the diagnosis the pathologist will stain the sample with a dye that lights up when certain types of proteins are present. The doctor will then use a technique to magnify the tissue.

It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the mesothelioma-causing cells appear similar to those of other types of cells within the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by other tests. This includes a blood test to determine the levels of fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related peptide that is soluble.

Your care team will decide on mesothelioma treatments based on the type of cancer you suffer from and the degree to which it is advanced. The most popular mesothelioma treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is in advanced stages you could also receive palliative treatment to relieve discomfort and other symptoms.

Prognosis

The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and the stage of cancer, in addition to other factors like the patient's age and general health. Patients should consult with a doctor who are experienced to learn about their treatment options.

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers harm the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be inhaled or consumed, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura) as well as mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer form that develops in the protective lining of the abdomen.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend that a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking tiny amounts of tissue for testing. Doctors then compare the biopsy samples to databases to determine the most likely mesothelioma cell type. This information can help them determine the patient's mesothelioma's life expectancy and treatment plan.

The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma grows at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60% to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.


Mesothelioma can develop up to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Many patients aren't diagnosed of mesothelioma until they have serious symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a doctor and undergo periodic checkups.

During these visits, doctors check for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on lungs and other respiratory problems. They may also conduct simple blood tests to assess a patient's overall health. If the results show that a patient's risk for mesothelioma is high they can schedule further tests to receive a mesothelioma prognosis. This may include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as lung function tests, and an chest MRI or PET scan.

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