Mesothelioma Cases
A specialist should be consulted by anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma. Based on the location of the tumor and how much it has spread, doctors are able to offer patients a range of treatment options.
Most mesothelioma cases occur in women and men who worked with
asbestos case-containing materials. This includes asbestos workers, miners railway workers, auto repair and shipyard workers.
Diagnosis
A mesothelioma diagnosis requires a combination of testing methods. Doctors examine your medical history and do a physical exam to check for signs. They may also use blood markers and imaging tests to diagnose mesothelioma. A tissue biopsy is the only way to make an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma however, it is usually not the first test that doctors do.
Mesothelioma is the most frequent cancer in the pleura, or lining that surrounds the lungs and the chest cavity. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma pleural is fluid buildup in the chest cavity, known as pleural effusion. This can be seen on a chest CT scan or X-ray. It also helps doctors determine where to biopsy.
A biopsy of mesothelioma can be done by a physician with a needle, or via surgery. The biopsy is then looked at under a microscope to see whether the cells are cancerous. Mesothelioma can be divided into three types based on the way the cells appear under microscopes: epithelioid sarcomatoid and mixed (biphasic) mesothelioma.
Depending on the type of mesothelioma you have and your symptoms, doctors may recommend a variety of blood tests or
Asbestos Legal imaging scanners. A complete blood count (CBC) examines the amount of white and red blood cells as well as platelets. It can aid doctors in identifying
mesothelioma legal signs, such as increased levels of an enzyme known as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).
A specialized form ultrasound, an echocardiogram displays the heart's performance. This is often used to diagnose pericardial melanoma, which affects the lining the heart.
A chest CT scan is a non-invasive,
Asbestos legal painless scan that uses x-rays and a computer to create a picture of your lungs and the tissues that surround them. It can aid doctors in identifying mesothelioma cancers and measure the thickness of the tissue.
To diagnose pleural mesothelioma, lung function or pulmonary function test might be needed to determine how well the lungs work. A flexible tube known as a "bronchoscope" is placed into the throat or mouth and then down the airway. The bronchoscope is equipped with a camera and may be connected to a big monitor to allow doctors to see the lungs as well as the surrounding area. The test typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes to perform.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma may vary based on the type and location of the cancer. The majority of mesothelioma cases are pleural, which means they develop in the lining surrounding the lung (pleura). However, about 10 percent of cases are peritoneal, that develop in the lining of the abdomen. Both types of mesothelioma may cause chest pain, fatigue and chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and many doctors aren't familiar with its signs and symptoms. Patients should bring a detailed list of symptoms to every appointment and inform the doctor of any
Asbestos Legal exposure history. This will ensure that the patient receives a prompt diagnosis and treatment.
A doctor will usually begin the mesothelioma diagnosis by questioning about asbestos exposure in the past and performing a physical exam. A chest X-ray or CT scan is ordered to look for mesothelioma as well as other issues in the lungs or the chest wall. A blood test may be ordered to determine the presence of certain antibodies that may indicate mesothelioma or asbestos exposure.
A biopsy is performed after an mesothelioma diagnosis in order to examine the tissue under a microscope to confirm a diagnosis. A biopsy can be carried out using VATS surgery, a minimally invasive procedure, or using a CT-guided needle aspiration.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest or back pain, difficulty breathing and dry throat. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as pneumonia, bronchitis or flu. A mesothelioma sufferer may also experience bloating or constipation, along with an unidentified loss of weight. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is characterized by abdominal pain. It can also cause swelling and a feeling of being full or a blockage in the stomach. Other signs that may occur include an appetite loss, fever and tiredness. Mesothelioma symptoms can be severe and life-threatening, particularly when it has advanced to a stage. Early detection is key to getting a mesothelioma diagnosis quickly and starting treatment as soon as you can. Consult a mesothelioma specialist If you or someone you love is suffering from mesothelioma symptoms.
Treatment
The treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Patients should choose a mesothelioma expert who is experienced with the disease and is able to discuss their treatment goals. This is known as shared decision making.
A patient's physician will first order imaging tests, including chest X-rays. They can reveal changes in the lung's liner, like thickening or the build-up of fluid. They can also determine if mesothelioma has spread other organs. Other testing can include the use of a CT scan or an MRI and an PET (positron emission tomography) scan. Blood tests can also detect the presence of certain chemicals that are linked to mesothelioma.
If mesothelioma is diagnosed, doctors will request an invasive biopsy. A small sample of the lining is taken to be examined under the microscope. Doctors can obtain a tissue sample through VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a keyhole type surgery. It is also possible to use a CT guided core biopsy which utilizes a needle guided by images from the CT scan. A biopsy can be used to determine the type of cell in mesothelioma. This will impact the way in which the cancer responds. Epithelioid mesothelioma cells respond best to treatment, whereas mixed cell and sarcomatoid types do not.
The most common mesothelioma treatments are chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. These treatments can improve the patient's life expectancy by 30-40 percent. In some cases, doctors may recommend immunotherapy. These drugs boost the body's immune system to attack cancer. These medications can be used with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery.
Mesothelioma patients should always consider taking part in a clinical trial because it could result in more effective and novel treatments. These trials are conducted by researchers in order to discover new methods to treat mesothelioma and improve the quality of life of patients.
For patients with advanced mesothelioma, the aim of treatment is to minimize symptoms and keep them under control. The symptoms include breathlessness, pain, and swelling. Surgery, such as a pleural drainage, can help with breathing difficulties. If you are not able to undergo surgery, a home treatment such as TTFields might be suggested.
Prognosis
Doctors can better plan treatment when they know the stage of mesothelioma. The prognosis depends on the nature and location of the cancer, which part of the body it affects and the general state of the patient's health. Patients with advanced mesothelioma could survive less than a year after diagnosis. Treatments can prolong survival.
Mesothelioma occurs when sharp, loose asbestos fibers irritate the linings of the lungs or abdomen. It can form as a single tumour or spread to adjacent tissues as it grows. In advanced stages, mesothelioma can cause fluid to accumulate in the chest cavity and stomach which can cause a cough, other respiratory problems, abdominal pain, swelling, and weight loss.