What is Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?
Mesothelioma lung cancer develops in the pleura, a tissue that is a protective layer for the lungs and lines the chest cavity. This rare disease can affect the tissues of the heart (peritoneum), abdomen (peritoneum) and the testicles.
Doctors employ X radiations and CT scans in order to detect mesothelioma. They may also order a biopsied to take samples of fluid or tissue for testing.
Signs and symptoms
Breathlessness or chest pain may be the first sign of mesothelioma. These symptoms are similar in many cases to pneumonia, influenza, and bronchitis. It is crucial that anyone experiencing these symptoms see their doctor. The earlier cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat.
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed with a chest X-ray or a computerized tomography (CT) scan that shows the an increase in the thickness of the pleura or calcium deposits on the lung lining. The scan can show whether fluid is accumulating in the space around the lungs. A doctor can drain this fluid, called Pleural effusion, to relieve breathing difficulties and chest pain.
A doctor can also collect small amounts of fluid or tissue from the location where the mesothelioma is located to determine if mesothelioma cells are present. These samples are tested by a laboratory in order to confirm a mesothelioma diagnose. Mesothelioma occurs more frequently in the lining of the lungs, but it can be found in the membrane that surrounds the organs of reproduction or the heart.
If a doctor has confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis, the next step will be to choose the treatment plan. The treatment options will differ according to the type and stage of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma treatment usually involves surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. These treatments are designed to improve the quality of life of patients, ease symptoms and extend their survival.
If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma pleural, their doctor will probably attempt to eliminate the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, also known as pleura, with the goal of easing chest pain. This procedure, also known as pleurodesis involves the use of a chemical or a medication to irritate the lining on the lung. It prevents it from filling with fluid again. This is only to treat symptoms, not as an option for a cure.
The doctors will also discuss palliative care with the patient, which aids to ease discomfort and other symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Patients will be advised to drink plenty of fluids and consume healthy food. They may also suggest relaxation techniques and exercise to ease stress.
Diagnosis
Because pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs doctors employ imaging tests to locate the affected area. These tests will identify the location and size of any tumors, and any fluid accumulation in or around the lungs or abdomen.
If doctors suspect that a patient might have mesothelioma, they will inquire about the history of asbestos exposure and any signs. The patient could also undergo an examination.
It can be difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma. The early symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breathe and a dry cough are similar to symptoms of numerous other illnesses. Mesothelioma is often mistakenly diagnosed as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. It can take up to 20 years before mesothelioma can be diagnosed.
In order to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, doctors will perform an examination of the affected area. This is done by inserting a needle into the affected area and extracting the tissue for analysis under microscope. Doctors can conduct a core biopsy using CT guidance or VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical), a type keyhole surgery.
Tests on blood and fluid samples can be used to detect mesothelioma. In these tests, doctors will be looking for elevated levels of specific substances in blood that are linked to mesothelioma. These include mesothelin-related fibulin-3 and soluble mesothel. A thoracentesis is performed to remove fluid from the lungs or to remove fluid that has accumulated around them.
MRI and CT scans aid in detecting mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs. They can see changes such as calcium deposits or the formation of the lining. They can also detect whether cancer has expanded. This is known as metastasis. These results will influence the type of treatment suggested by a physician. In addition to these tests and the person's overall health, doctors also consider the stage of the mesothelioma.
Treatment
You may experience symptoms such as pain or breathlessness in your chest if you suffer from pleural asbestosis, which affects tissue that lines your lungs and chest cavity. These symptoms are due to the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion) in the lungs. Talk to your doctor in the event that you experience these symptoms.
Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect because it can take up to 40 years before symptoms begin to manifest. It is also often diagnosed in advanced stages. It is also difficult to know how far the cancer has spread after it is first diagnosed. Mesothelioma, as a result, is usually treated with palliative care to reduce symptoms and enhance the quality of life.
The treatment options for mesothelioma will depend on the type stage, location and stage of the tumor as well as how far it has travelled. Your doctors will design a mesothelioma treatment strategy that is unique to you that is based on your health and symptoms.
This plan is likely to include surgery, chemo and radiation. Based on your personal preference and the stage of the cancer, you might choose to undergo a surgical procedure called pleurectomy or decortication. This procedure removes the thin membrane that protects the lungs and chest cavity and is known as the pleura. This procedure also removes any visible tumours that are present from the chest wall and lungs.
You could opt to have a chest tube placed in the body to drain any fluid that builds up in the chest or lungs. You might also receive medications to decrease the chance of mesothelioma repeating. Certain patients have undergone gene therapy that inserts new genetic material into cells to combat mesothelioma as well as other diseases.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists will develop your mesothelioma treatment plan. This team may include your GP (general practitioner) as well as surgeon, pulmonologist, oncologist and chest physician. The radiologist interprets mesothelioma cancer scans and other tests. A chest surgeon is a surgeon who performs surgery to the lungs as well as the chest. The medical oncologist prescribes chemo and coordinates radiation therapy. A pulmonologist, or a surgeon for the thoracic area can insert an instrument into the chest to drain fluids a few times a week if necessary.
Prognosis
The mesothelioma prognosis of a person will depend on a number of factors, including how far the cancer has spread, whether it can be surgically removed and their overall health. There are a variety of treatment options to help manage symptoms and extend life expectancy. These include surgery and chemotherapy.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed based on the cells that compose the lining of the organ. To establish a precise diagnosis, doctors look at the tissue specimen under a microscope to determine the type of cancerous mesothelial cells present. This is referred to as a biopsy. The information is obtained by a physician using a pleural sample or chest CT.
The location of the tumour is also crucial for a diagnosis of mesothelioma. The most commonly used mesothelioma type is called pleural, which forms in the lining lining the lung. Other less frequent kinds include pericardial, peritoneal and testicular mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is often difficult to detect because the cells that cause it are similar to those of other lung diseases. It is therefore often misdiagnosed. Patients should be aware of the symptoms and discuss them with a mesothelioma specialist. They can recommend tests to determine whether a patient has mesothelioma, or a different condition.
A biopsy is the most effective method to determine if a mesothelioma is present. The tumor is removed with a needle or VATS (Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery), a type keyhole surgery. The biopsy is examined under magnifying glass to check for mesothelioma.
If a mesothelioma has been identified doctors can assess how far it has spread by using a combination of tests, including CT scans; FDG-positron emission tomography, mediastinoscopy; or EBUS (endoscopic biopsy of the thoracic lobe). The extent of the mesothelioma is also assessed.
If mesothelioma is not removed surgically, treatments like palliative care are a way to manage symptoms and prolong life for as long as it is possible. Various treatments for maintenance, like immunotherapy and chemotherapy, can prevent the mesothelioma's growth or spread for months or even years. Although what's mesothelioma cancer for mesothelioma is not very long, there are notable survivors who have lived beyond their prognoses. For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould survived peritoneal mesothelioma for over 20 years after being diagnosed with the disease.