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The 12 Most Popular Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Accounts To Follow On Twitter
Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the lungs, chest cavity and, in rare cases the linings of the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This causes cells to transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers could cause these cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lung. However, it could also occur in the abdominal lining and the testicles, as well as the heart.

Breathlessness, chest discomfort, and coughing are the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Additionally patients may experience abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms can be confusing and difficult to diagnose in the early stages particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new condition. The signs of mesothelioma might not appear for years or even decades following asbestos exposure.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam and a health history. To determine the severity of symptoms, a doctor may order tests for blood and imaging scans. These scans comprise 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 lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid and mesothelioid are the two main types. About 70% of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a lesser-known type, and has a worse prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.

Most people with pleural cancer suffer from a painful, nonproductive cough and breathing problems. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart tone or a condition known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum.

The most reliable method to determine if mesothelioma has been diagnosed is to collect a tissue sample or biopsy, to test. The type of mesothelioma determine how a doctor will treat the illness. For instance, if a person has pericardial mesothelioma the doctor could drain excess fluid with pleurodesis procedure or install an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include chemotherapy and surgery.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the linings of organs called the mesothelium. The majority of cases occur in the lungs (pleura), though it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis).

It takes between 10 and 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Because of this latency time, many patients can be mistakenly diagnosed. It is often mistaken for other, less serious illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. This mistake could cause delays in treatment, which can decrease the chance of a patient's survival.

Those who suspect that they may have mesothelioma need to visit their doctor right away. During this first visit, doctors examine a patient's complete medical history to look for signs and any other factors that may make them more susceptible to mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos or other asbestos-containing substances, as well as the nature and duration of the exposure.

The doctor will then recommend imaging tests in the chest and abdomen to check for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs can all show changes in the lungs, including pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also reveal whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

A doctor might also recommend an analysis of the blood to determine whether a patient has high levels in certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They can also carry out a procedure called a thoracentesis, which involves the removal of a sample from the fluid surrounding the lungs to look for cancer cells.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, a biopsy will be taken to look at an insignificant portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan may be used to perform this procedure. The results of this will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment plan for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. mcallen asbestos attorneys might also opt to participate in immunotherapy. This more advanced mesothelioma treatment can boost the quality of life for patients and improve their chances of survival.

Treatment

Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line and protect organs, like the lung (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Although mesothelioma cannot be cured but treatment can help manage symptoms.

Your doctor will inquire about your health history and check for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your asbestos exposure as this is the number one risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibers to get trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach or heart. This can cause inflammation over time and can transform normal cells into cancerous cells. Imaging tests and blood tests are used to identify mesothelioma.

Your healthcare provider uses an X-ray of the chest to determine if you have an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will request an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET), to get precise images. They will also perform an incision using a needle to collect a sample from the affected tissue.

A mesothelioma expert, also known as a pathologist will look at mesothelioma cells under a microscope to detect cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma that you have. To determine the type of mesothelioma, the doctor will stain the tissue 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 is sometimes difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the mesothelioma-causing cells look similar to those of other types of cells in the body. Your healthcare team will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. They may use blood tests to determine the levels of fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptide.

Your care team will choose a mesothelioma treatment plan depending on the type of cancer you suffer from and how advanced it is. The most common mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. A palliative treatment option is available if your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage. This will relieve the pain and other signs.

Prognosis

The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on the type and stage of cancer as well as other factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with experienced doctors to learn more about their treatment options.

Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that turn normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most common mesothelioma types are mesothelioma pleural (which is a tumor that develops on the linings of the lungs, chest cavity, and abdomen) mesothelioma.

The doctor diagnoses mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is when you take tiny amounts of tissue to be tested. Doctors can then compare biopsy samples against a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma cells type. This information can be used to predict the life expectancy of a person suffering from mesothelioma as well as their treatment plan.

Mesothelioma cells can be classified into three categories: epithelioid or epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each mesothelioma kind develops at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid cancer is responsible for 60 to 80 percent of all cases and has a higher survival rate than biphasic or sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can develop up to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Many patients don't receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they experience severe symptoms. Asbestos exposure must be reported to a doctor and patients should be checked regularly.

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

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