Mesothelioma Asbestosis
The symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis may be similar. This is because both diseases are caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibers.
Pleural mesothelioma can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Mesothelioma has four stages that indicate how the cancer has spread. Doctors use staging to determine the best treatment options and life expectancies.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It is most commonly found in the lung linings, chest cavity and abdomen (pleura) but it can also affect the membranes that surround the heart (pericardium) or abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma can be malignant. This means that it is able to grow and spread outside of the original site.
The first symptom is typically a cough that doesn't produce phlegm. Other symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness and weight loss. In some instances patients, they experience lumps or swelling in the abdomen.
If a patient experiences these symptoms, their physician might refer them to a specialist for treatment. The specialist will perform several tests to determine whether the symptoms are caused by mesothelioma, or another cancer. Imaging scans are used to look inside the lungs, abdomen or heart and perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
In the case of pleural msothelioma, there are two primary surgical options. A pneumonectomy that is extrapleural removes part of the lung affected, the diaphragm, as well as a part of the heart's lining. A pleurectomy and pulmonary decortication removes only the pleura, but not the entire lung. The chemotherapy and radiation are also options. The former uses X-rays that are high-energy towards cancerous cells to kill them, while the latter makes use of drugs such as carboplatin and pemetrexed in order to kill cancerous cells or slow their growth.
Patients should tell their doctor about any prior asbestos law exposure. This is vital, as mesothelioma could develop for up to twenty years after the initial asbestos exposure. The doctor will inquire about the frequency of exposure as well as the duration of the exposure, as these variables could influence the symptoms of development.
If the GP suspects mesothelioma, they will arrange an CT scan to determine how the cancer has spread throughout the body. If the mesothelioma is spreading to the lungs, a bronchoscopy will be performed to examine the lungs' airways and lymph nodes. In certain instances, a doctor may also suggest a PET-CT or chest MRI scan to determine if cancer has developed to the heart.
Diagnosis
The best method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is to collect samples of tissue or fluid. Doctors will use this sample to look for cancerous cells that are different from normal cells. A biopsy can be carried out by needle or surgical procedure. To detect mesothelioma in patients, doctors may use imaging tests such as CT scans and x-rays. They may also do the positron emission tomography scan (PET), which is used to detect cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may be similar to other conditions. For instance the chest pain that occurs with mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as heart disease or lung cancer. In addition, the asbestos-related condition known as pleural effusion could be mistaken for pneumonia or bronchitis.
If doctors suspect a person has mesothelioma, they will inquire about their previous exposure to asbestos and their symptoms. The doctor will also perform an examination of the body and inquire about the medical history of the family members. The doctor will conduct blood and urine testing to check for elevated levels. These tests can be performed in the hospital or at home.
These tests will help doctors determine the amount of asbestos in the body and also how well other organs are functioning. They also need to know if the patient has had any prior surgeries. A chest x-ray and a CT scan are also done to look for signs of the mesothelioma, such as a thickening of the membrane that surrounds the lung.
If doctors suspect pericardial Mesothelioma they usually conduct an echocardiogram. This is a test that uses sound waves to create an image of the heart. A MRI scan might be useful in the case of pleural mesothelioma since it provides detailed images of soft tissues. Mediastinoscopy can be performed, which involves inserting a tube with cameras and a light inside the chest in order to look at and sample the lymph nodes close to the center. This is especially beneficial if the mesothelioma has spread to these regions.
Treatment
Mesothelioma asbestosis is a slow-moving respiratory disease, however there are treatments that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. To ease the pain and fatigue in the lung doctors can employ drugs, techniques for draining fluids, or surgery. Doctors can also assist patients deal with fatigue and how it affects their daily routine.
The first step in treating mesothelioma asbestosis is to find out if cancer cells are present. A biopsy is the most effective way to find out. In a biopsy, doctors will take a small piece of mesothelium for examination under a microscope. They will search for cancerous cells. A biopsy is usually done through surgery, but doctors can also perform a procedure known as thoracentesis. This involves inserting a needle in the chest to remove a sample of fluid to be tested.
When the test results are back the surgeon can decide to remove any part of the body that have been affected by the mesothelioma asbestosis. This is done most often for pleural, however it can also be done to treat peritoneal or peritoneal asbestosis. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lining of the lungs (pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers are consumed and become stuck in the digestive tract.
After surgery, patients are able to take steps to improve their comfort level. This can be done by taking napping in the morning, planning trips to the market and other activities when you are feeling better and exercising. Patients may also inquire about clinical trials that are being conducted for the treatment of mesothelioma with their health care provider. These trials study new mesothelioma treatment options that aren't yet approved by the FDA.
Other treatments may also be available, such as chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancerous cells, while radiation and immunotherapy increase the body's natural defense mechanisms against the cancer. The targeted therapy uses specific drugs to attack vulnerabilities in mesothelioma tumor cells. Because every patient and case is unique, it's crucial to discuss all treatment options with a mesothelioma doctor.
Prognosis
A prognosis is an approximate estimation of the extent to which mesothelioma grows and what treatment options are available. It can also tell patients how long they should expect to live after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. The health of the patient is a different factor in their mesothelioma prognosis. People who are fitter and have higher blood tests such as normal haemoglobin levels and higher white cell and platelet counts will have a higher chance of beating mesothelioma. They will also be better able to handle chemotherapy and surgery better than those with poorer general health.
Mesothelioma can be described as a highly aggressive cancer that often has a worse prognosis than other kinds of cancer. This is because it is usually diagnosed later after the cancer has already progressed. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other diseases making it difficult to recognize. In certain cases, it can take decades from the point that asbestos exposure occurs to when a person develops mesothelioma.
There are two types of mesothelioma, namely pleural and peritoneal. Both are the result of exposure to asbestos. This cancer affects the mesothelial tissues which cover the majority of internal organs of the body.
The cancerous cells that cause mesothelioma pleural affect the membrane that line the chest cavity. It can also affect the membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardium) or the membrane around the testicles (testicular mesothelioma).
Asbestosis is not a form of mesothelioma but it does have similar symptoms to those of mesothelioma. It is caused by exposure to asbestos settlement and it can lead to lung problems, including the development of scarring and stiffness of the lung. It is possible to get both asbestosis and mesothelioma simultaneously.
Mesothelioma cancer is only found in those who have been exposed to asbestos. It usually develops on the chest wall and abdomen. It is not triggered by smoking cigarettes and the majority of those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos when they worked. Smokers and those with other ailments, such as heart disease or diabetes are more likely to develop the disease.
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