What is Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?
The pleura tissue covers the lungs and forms the chest cavity, is the site of mesothelioma-lung carcinoma. This rare condition can affect the linings of the heart (peritoneum), abdomen (peritoneum), and testicles.
Doctors make use of X-rays as well as CT scans to detect mesothelioma-related signs. They can also request biopsies to take samples of fluid or tissue to test.
Symptoms
The chest pain or breathlessness could be the first sign of mesothelioma. These symptoms are similar to symptoms of numerous illnesses, including pneumonia or influenza, as well as bronchitis It is therefore essential for anyone suffering from symptoms to visit their doctor. The earlier cancer is detected the more straightforward it is to treat.
Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed using a chest X-ray or a computerized tomography (CT) scan, which shows an increase in the thickness of the pleura or calcium deposits on the lung lining. The scan may also reveal whether fluid is growing in the lung space. A doctor can remove this fluid, referred to as Pleural effusion, to relieve breathing difficulties and chest pain.
A doctor can also examine small amounts of tissue from the area that has mesothelioma by obtaining tiny amounts of fluid or tissue. These samples are examined by a laboratory in order to confirm a mesothelioma diagnose. Mesothelioma is more likely to manifest in the lung's lining than anywhere else in the body, but it can also occur in the membrane surrounding the heart or reproductive organs.
After a doctor confirms mesothelioma diagnosis the next step is to decide on the best treatment plan. Treatment options differ based on the stage and the type of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma treatment often involves surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. These treatments are designed to improve the quality of life of patients, relieve symptoms and extend their survival.
The doctor will attempt to eliminate fluid from the pleura, or the lungs of patients suffering from cancer of the pleura to relieve breathlessness and chest discomfort. This procedure is referred to as pleurodesis, and involves the use of a chemical or drug to damage the lung's lining so that it doesn't get filled with fluid again. This is only used to relieve symptoms and not as treatment.
The doctors will also discuss palliative care with the patient, which helps to alleviate discomfort and other symptoms like weight loss, fatigue and weight loss. They will advise patients to eat well and drink plenty of liquids and will suggest exercises and relaxation techniques that reduce stress.
Diagnosis
Because pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lining of the lungs doctors employ imaging tests to find and identify the affected area. These tests can identify the location and size of any tumors, as well as any fluid accumulation in or around the lungs or abdomen.
If doctors suspect that a patient might have mesothelioma they will ask about the history of exposure to asbestos and any signs. The person may be examined for physical symptoms.
Mesothelioma isn't easy to recognize. The initial symptoms, like breathlessness chest pain, shortness of breath and dry cough are similar to other diseases. For this reason, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed to be lung cancer or as a result of other diseases like pneumonia and bronchitis. It can take as long as 20 years to identify mesothelioma.
In order to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, doctors will take an examination of the affected area. This is accomplished by inserting a needle in the area affected and then removing an amount of tissue to be analyzed under a microscope. Doctors can perform a core biopsy with CT guidance or VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a keyhole type surgery.
Testing on blood samples and fluid samples can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect high levels in the blood of the substances associated mesothelioma. This includes mesothelin-related peptides that are soluble and Fibulin-3. If there is an accumulation of fluid within or around the lung, doctors can remove a fluid sample to be tested using a procedure called thoracentesis.
MRI and CT scans can help doctors identify mesothelioma in the lungs. They can detect changes like calcium deposits, or thickening the lining. They can also determine if cancer has spread. This is called metastasis. These results will affect the type of treatment suggested by a doctor. In addition to these tests, doctors will look at the stage of mesothelioma, as well as the general health of the patient when the process of deciding on a treatment plan.
Treatment
If you have mesothelioma pleural, which affects the tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity, it may cause symptoms like breathlessness or pain in the chest. These symptoms are due to a buildup of fluid (pleural effusion) in the lung. Talk to your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because it can take as long as 40 years before symptoms appear. It is often diagnosed at a later stage. It can be difficult to determine how far the cancer has spread when it is first detected. Because of this, mesothelioma is often treated at palliative level to control the symptoms and improve quality of life.
Treatment options for mesothelioma are dependent on the type, location and stage of the tumor as well as the extent to which it has spread. Your doctor will develop a mesothelioma treatment strategy that is unique to you that is based on your health and symptoms.
This treatment plan will likely include surgery, chemo and radiation. Based on your personal preference and the stage of cancer, you may decide to have a surgical procedure called pleurectomy or decortication. The procedure removes the thin membrane that covers the chest cavity and lungs, called the pleura. It also removes any visible cancers from the lungs and chest wall.
You may opt to put a chest tube inside the body to drain any fluid that builds up in the chest or lungs. You could also be prescribed medication to reduce your risk of mesothelioma coming back. Some patients have undergone gene therapy to combat mesothelioma and other cancers.
The mesothelioma treatment plan you choose to follow will be created by an inter-disciplinary team. This team could comprise your doctor (general practitioner), pulmonologist, surgeon, oncologist and a chest physician. The radiologist interprets mesothelioma cancer scans and other tests. A chest surgeon performs surgery to the lungs as well as the chest. The medical oncologist prescribes chemotherapy and coordinates radiation therapy. A pulmonologist or thoracic doctor can insert a tube into the chest to drain fluids a couple of times a week, if required.
Prognosis
The prognosis of someone with mesothelioma will depend on several aspects, including how far the cancer has spread and whether it is able to be treated surgically. It will also depend on their general health. There are numerous treatment options available to help people manage their symptoms and live longer. These include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
The cells that line the affected organ are used to diagnose mesothelioma. 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. Doctors may use a pleural fluid sample or a chest CT scan to collect this information.
The location of the tumor is important in determining if mesothelioma is present. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in lung's lining and is the most common form of this cancer. The other less common forms are testicular, peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can be difficult diagnose because the cells that cause it are so similar to those of other lung diseases. This is why it is often mistakenly diagnosed. Patients should be aware of and discuss asbestos mesothelioma lung cancer their symptoms with a specialist for mesothelioma. They may then suggest tests to determine if a patient suffers from mesothelioma or another condition.
A biopsy is usually the most reliable method to confirm mesothelioma. This is done by removing a small piece of the tumor with the help of a needle or VATS (Video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure), a type of keyhole surgery. The biopsy is then examined under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma-like cells.
If mesothelioma is detected, doctors can determine the extent of its spread through a series of tests, including CT scans; FDG-positron emission imaging; mediastinoscopy or EBUS (endoscopic biopsy of the thoracic region). The extent of the mesothelioma's spread is also determined.
Palliative treatments can be used if the mesothelioma is not surgically removed. This can help reduce symptoms and extend your life as much as possible. Different maintenance therapies, including immunotherapy and chemotherapy can stop mesothelioma from growing or spreading for months or even years. Although the median survival for mesothelioma is very low, there are notable survivors who have lived beyond their prognoses. Stephen Jay Gould, a paleontologist, fought off peritoneal msothelioma for more than 20 years after his diagnosis.