"Ask Me Anything " 10 Answers To Your Questions About Mesothelioma
What is Mesothelioma?
The diagnosis of Mesothelioma can be an incredibly devastating one. It's normal to be shocked or confused, and even upset.
The pleura, which surrounds the lungs and the chest wall, is afflicted by pleural mesothelioma. This cancer causes fluid buildup in the lungs making it difficult to breath.
Asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. People who worked with asbestos or lived with someone who was exposed are at risk.
What is mesothelioma?
The cancerous mesothelioma develops on the lining mesothelium, or the lining. The mesothelium lining covers and protects most of the organs of your body including your chest, heart and abdomen. It is comprised of two layers that form an enveloping sac that surrounds the organs inside your body. The fluid between the layers allows the organs to move around freely. mesothelioma case cells become malignant, or cancerous, and expand into and destroy nearby tissue. They may also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
The most at-risk group for developing mesothelioma is people who have been working with asbestos. Asbestos workers include plumbers, electricians, welders, asbestos miners and auto industry workers. The risk is higher for people who work or live near asbestos-producing facilities such as factories and power plants. Mesothelioma is diagnosed among people who were exposed to asbestos trust Fund lawyer between 20 and 60 years before the illness manifests.
Pleural mesothelioma is most often found in the lining of the lungs. This type of mesothelioma can cause chest pain, trouble breathing and weight loss. It is most often affecting the lungs, but it may also affect other organs, such as the stomach and heart. People with peritoneal mesothelioma a rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity, can suffer from pain in the belly and abdomen, as well as difficulties eating.
The pericardial mesothelioma and tunica vaginalis are the two other forms of mesothelioma. They both develop in the tissue covering the tissues of the chest, abdomen, or testicles. These types of mesothelioma typically are not diagnosed, and have lower survival rates than other types of the disease.
The prognosis for mesothelioma litigation is dependent on the nature and location of the disease as well as the stage of diagnosis and general patient health. Certain patients are successfully treated using chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Patients with advanced mesothelioma may receive experimental treatments such as gene therapy or immunotherapy. In either scenario the treatment options available can dramatically increase a person's life duration.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that usually occurs in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity. The cancer is caused by asbestos, which was used in construction, shipbuilding, energy generation, and home renovations up until it was banned in the year 1970. Exposure is primarily due to working in the asbestos industry, however, people who have cleaned their work clothes with asbestos fibres or disturbed asbestos in home renovations may also be at risk of developing mesothelioma.
The majority of patients suffering from mesothelioma suffer general symptoms such as tiredness and weight loss and coughing that fluctuates in intensity or frequency, and chest pain. Patients should consult their doctor if they notice any of these symptoms. Also, they should be sure to inform their doctor if they've been exposed to asbestos.
In pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms often occur due to the tumor causing fluid build-up within the space around the lung. This build-up, referred to as a pleural effusion causes pressure on the lungs, making breathing difficult. The amount of fluid within the pleural cavity plays a role in decreasing breathlessness.
Other symptoms of mesothelioma include a fever, night sweats, and abdominal pain. The body's temperature rises when it fights the disease. This is what causes the fever. The night sweats are an ailment to the fever and an attempt by the body to cool down. These symptoms are all indications that the cancer is growing worse and causing the body to stress.
The less common mesothelioma symptoms are a swollen abdomen, fatigue and difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue that surrounds the heart, causing problems with breathing and chest pain. It is also possible to develop mesothelioma within the testicles' membrane which can cause swelling or an abnormal lump on the testicles.
Mesothelioma can be difficult identify early because it is so rare. The symptoms of mesothelioma could be confused with other illnesses and even pneumonia or the flu. Mesothelioma can take up to years before symptoms are identified.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a gruelling cancer. Before diagnosing mesothelioma, doctors must rule out any other conditions that have similar symptoms. After they have done this, they can determine the best treatment option for you.
The first step for mesothelioma diagnosis is for your doctor to inquire about your symptoms and perform a an examination. Your doctor may order blood tests to determine the efficiency of your organs. One such test is the complete blood count (CBC) that examines the number of white and red blood cells, how your kidneys and liver are functioning, as well as other vital information. These blood tests could detect mesothelioma, however it's difficult to recognize them due to their similarity to normal cells.
If your doctor suspects you have mesothelioma they will likely order imaging tests to determine the location and extent of any growths or fluid in the abdomen or lungs. A chest x-ray is the most frequent test, but if this does not show any abnormalities, doctors can request more thorough tests such as a CT scan or an MRI.
These tests give high-resolution pictures of the body through a combination of radio waves and powerful magnets to produce high-quality images. They can detect the presence of fluid or thickening of the pleura and peritoneum which can indicate mesothelioma. A CT scan can also identify other health issues, such as a lung infection or pneumonia.
Doctors can sometimes be able to determine the type of mesothelioma you have by taking a tissue sample taken during a biopsy. This is the only certain way to diagnose mesothelioma. The samples are analyzed with a magnifying glass in order to determine the type of mesothelioma, as well as the extent of the cancer's spread.
Some doctors may also inject dye into a vein or perform other tests to pinpoint the location in which the cancer is. This is known as staging the mesothelioma. It helps doctors determine how far the cancer has grown and the severity.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's cells and organs. The cells can multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors. The cancer spreads because cells aren't able to respond to signals that stop their growth from speeding up. It can also invade blood vessels that supply the lungs with oxygen. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on the patient's symptoms and his history of asbestos exposure. They may also request imaging tests as well as other tests to help find and detect tumors. Chest X-rays, for instance, can be used to look for lung changes, including pleural thickening and the pleural effusion (fluid build-up). They may also order CT scanning, an MRI or PET scan to see the location of the tumors and determine the extent of mesothelioma's spread. They can also collect an ounce of fluid from the lungs, called a thoracentesis, to test for mesothelioma tumors and to ease pressure on the lungs caused by fluid accumulation.
Once a mesothelioma-related diagnosis is established, doctors can design treatments to control the disease. It is essential to discuss the treatment options with your mesothelioma physician. Some people prefer aggressive treatment in order to increase their chances of survival and prolong their lives, whereas others prefer a less intensive method to minimize adverse effects, like nausea and pain.
Mesothelioma treatments include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The type of treatment that an individual receives is determined by the stage of their mesothelioma and whether or not it's composed of sarcomatoid or epithelioid cells. Epithelioid cells are easier to remove through surgery and have better outcomes than Sarcomatoid cells. Some patients have a mixture of both kinds, and they generally have lower outcomes than patients with epithelioid mesothelioma only.
After you have completed your treatment, it is important to keep in touch with your mesothelioma doctor regularly. This can help in preventing the cancer from returning. The mesothelioma treatment team will develop an updated plan in case it recurs.
Patients with mesothelioma are able to join clinical trials to test new treatments. Clinical trials give people access to advanced treatments that aren't yet approved for general use.