Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. Your prognosis will depend on how far the cancer has spread, and the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from.
The most common kind is pleural. It is found in the lung lining. The other two types include peritoneal and mixed mesothelioma. Each has different survival rates.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma affects the linings around organs within the body, also known as the mesothelium. Cancer most commonly occurs in the lungs, but it can also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma is classified according to the type or location and stage of the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chance of survival. Malignant mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to other diseases which makes it difficult to diagnose. As a result, mesothelioma can go undiagnosed for years.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include fatigue, coughing, a feeling of tightness in the abdomen or chest and breathing difficulties. Patients may also notice weight loss and loss of appetite. A doctor will review a patient's health history and conduct a physical examination to check for indications of mesothelioma. A doctor can request blood tests and imaging tests to determine if mesothelioma is present, such as the CT scan or MRI of the abdomen and chest. They can also use a procedure called thoracentesis to drain fluid from the lungs, and then examine samples of tissue for mesothelioma biopsies.
The doctor will then determine the best treatment plan for mesothelioma. Patients should be sure to discuss any asbestos-related exposure with their doctor, and they can seek a referral to an experienced mesothelioma specialist in the event of need.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma is a complex one that requires many specialists, and a team of healthcare experts can assist patients in managing their symptoms and get the most effective mesothelioma treatment. The team may comprise a general physician and a pulmonologist, or chest surgeon, an interventional radioologist medical oncologist, and radiation oncologists.
The most well-known mesothelioma type, pleural mesothelioma, is the most prevalent. Around 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases are caused by this type of cancer. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a lesser-known type and occurs in the peritoneum of the stomach. It is harder to treat than pleural mesothelioma and generally has a less favorable prognosis. As the tumor grows it can press against the diaphragm, or the lining of the heart. This can lead to severe pain. It can also cause difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Diagnosis
A person should consult an experienced physician if they start to notice symptoms of mesothelioma. The doctor will examine the patient and prescribe tests to determine if mesothelioma could be the reason for the symptoms.
It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. It may take doctors some time to link mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. Even if a person is aware that they've been in contact with asbestos, the cancer could progress slowly and not be detected until it has reached an advanced stage.
In the initial diagnosis, a doctor will review the patient's medical history and inquire about any asbestos exposures that have occurred previously. The doctor will also perform an examination of the body. In addition to this, the doctor will conduct blood tests and imaging tests to check for changes in the abdomen or lungs.
An x-ray or CT scan will help doctors see any changes in the chest and abdominal walls caused by mesothelioma. This could include pleural thickening and the pleural effusion (fluid build-up around the abdomen or in the lungs). A doctor may also request an MRI scan or PET scan to get detailed images of the affected tissue and see the effects of tumors.
The blood tests are made to determine elevated levels of certain substances produced by mesothelioma tumor cells. These tests will aid in confirming mesothelioma's diagnosis and determine the treatment plan.
If the doctor suspects mesothelioma in a strong way then he will recommend an in-person biopsy to collect a sample from the tumor. This involves inserting a catheter into the stomach or lungs to remove a small piece of tissue to test. If this is not feasible surgeons can make an incision in the chest (thoracotomy) or abdomen (laparotomy) to remove a larger amount of tissue or, in some cases the entire tumor.
The mesothelioma then is tested to determine the type and degree. There are three types of mesothelioma, epithelial (also known as mixed type), sarcomatoid, and biphasic. The doctor will determine the most effective treatment in light of the diagnosis.
Treatment
A malignant mesothelioma is caused by a number of genetic mutations that cause cells to expand and multiply out of control. As time passes, the abnormal cells multiply and grow until they form a tumor, which can be enclosed by healthy tissue. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is aggressive. There are treatment options that can prolong the life of many patients and improve their symptoms.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are based on the location where the tumors are situated. Around 3 out of four mesotheliomas begin in the chest cavity, a condition referred to as mesothelioma pleural. Another 10% to 20% of cases begin in the abdominal cavity. This is called mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Mesothelioma may also develop within the tissues surrounding the heart, a rare form of mesothelioma referred to as cardiac mesothelioma peritoneal.
Doctors can treat mesothelioma by eliminating the tumors surgically or using various cancer treatments. Mesothelioma doctors work together to create an overall treatment plan that is unique to each patient. These plans usually include a combination of treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
The surgical procedures used to eliminate mesothelioma vary depending on where the tumors are located as well as their stage of development. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is more complex operation that involves removal of the diaphragm and lung, in addition to visible tumors. They can also perform a pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery, in which the doctor removes the pleura and any visible tumors around the lungs and chest wall. Patients with mesothelioma may benefit from a treatment known as cytoreductive surgical and heated chemotherapy (HIPEC), in which the tumors are removed from the abdominal cavity, then heated chemotherapy is used to cleanse them.
Throughout the treatment process mesothelioma patients may be afflicted with a variety of adverse effects from chemotherapy. These side effects include fatigue, a higher risk of infection, nausea or vomiting. mesothelioma lung may also experience sensations of tingling and numbness in their toes or fingers as well as low blood cell counts and hair loss. Doctors can prescribe painkillers and nutrition supplements to help lessen the negative effects. Patients should discuss with their doctor any medication they are prescribed to find out more about them and possible adverse effects.
Prognosis
A doctor's mesothelioma diagnosis is an estimate of the patient's life expectancy. It depends on several factors, including the type and stage of mesothelioma, an individual's age general health and the effectiveness of the treatment.
The mesothelioma prognosis of a patient may improve if diagnosed early. Mesothelioma is a latency disease which means that doctors have to wait until symptoms appear before determining the cause.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of a patient and conducting a physical exam. They may also order imaging tests or a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The kinds of imaging tests that doctors can request include chest CT scans, an MRI and lung function tests.
These tests can be used to determine the size and location of a mesothelioma. These tests can also tell whether cancer has been able to spread. If the tumor is located within the pleura, doctors can perform a surgical process called a Thoracentesis. This allows the removal of fluid from the site and then collect samples to be used for biopsy.
A person's GP might be able assist in coordinating a treatment group for mesothelioma. Specialists may include an Pulmonologist (respiratory physician) as well as an interventional radiologist, a thoracic surgeon and medical oncologists.
Doctors can also determine the kind of cancerous cells are found in the tumor during the mesothelioma diagnosis. There are three mesothelioma types, and a patient's overall health status can be influenced by which one they have. For example, people with epithelioid mesothelioma have better prognosis than those with sarcomatoid mesothelioma.
Treatments for mesothelioma may improve the chances of survival for patients by slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer. They can also assist in managing symptoms and improve quality of life.
Many mesothelioma patients survived for years despite a inadequate diagnosis. Stories of survivors who have fought the odds can inspire and give hope to those suffering from mesothelioma. A mesothelioma patient can ask about clinical trials that may provide new treatments. These studies give patients the chance to experience experiments that could extend their lives.