Why Nobody Cares About Mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of Mesothelioma is a devastating one. It's natural to feel shocked or confused, and even upset.
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the pleura, which is the lung's protective wall. The cancer causes fluid accumulation in the lungs making breathing difficult.
Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. At risk are people who have been exposed to asbestos, or resided with someone who has.
What is Mesothelioma?
The cancerous mesothelioma develops on the lining mesothelium, or the lining. This lining covers and protects the majority of organs of your body including your heart, chest and abdomen. It has 2 layers that create a sac around the inner layer of your organs, and it is separated by fluids to allow organs to move freely. Mesothelioma cells can become malignant or cancerous, and they grow into and destroy nearby tissue. They may also spread to other parts of your body (metastasize).
The most at-risk group for developing mesothelioma is those who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos-related workers include plumbers electricians welders asbestos miners and auto industry workers. Higher risk is also for those who live or work near asbestos-related facilities, such as factories and power plants. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed in those who have been exposed to asbestos between 20 and 60 years before the disease manifests.
Pleural mesothelioma can be found most often in the lung lining. This type of mesothelioma can cause chest pain, trouble breathing and weight loss. It usually occurs in the lungs, but it can also affect the heart or stomach. People with peritoneal mesothelioma a rare type of the disease that affects the abdominal lining cavity, may experience discomfort in the belly area and abdomen, as well as difficulties eating.
Other mesothelioma types are pericardial and tunica vaginalis mesothelioma both of which are found in the tissue that surrounds the lining of the abdomen, chest or testicles,. These types of mesothelioma are usually not diagnosed and have a a lower survival rate than other forms.
The prognosis for mesothelioma is based on the type, location and stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis as as the general health status. Some patients are treated successfully with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Others with advanced mesothelioma will undergo experimental treatments like gene therapy or immunotherapy. In any scenario, treatment options can increase the life expectancy of a patient.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, most commonly occurs in the tissues of the chest cavity or abdomen. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a heat and fire-resistant mineral used in the construction industry, insulation ships power generation, home renovations before it was banned in the 1970s. visit the site to asbestos is most often resulted from working in the asbestos-related industry. However, those who have washed their the workwear with asbestos fibers or disturbed asbestos during renovating their homes are also at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Most mesothelioma patients experience general symptoms, such as fatigue or weight loss, coughing with a change in pattern or intensity, chest pain, and the list goes on. These symptoms could be caused by a number of ailments, and patients should always seek advice from their physician regarding them. They should also be sure to inform their doctor if they've been exposed to asbestos.
In pleural mesothelioma symptoms often occur as a result of the tumor causing fluid accumulation within the space around the lung. The build-up of fluid, which is known as a "pleural effusion" can put pressure on the lungs, which makes breathing difficult. The amount of fluid within the pleural cavity is important in the reduction of breathlessness.
Other symptoms of Mesothelioma include the night sweats, a fever and abdominal pain. The reason for the fever is the body's temperature rising as it fights the cancer. The body attempts to reduce its temperature by producing sweating during the night as a reaction to the temperature. These symptoms are signs that cancer is worsening and causing stress on the body.
Other signs of mesothelioma are fatigue, a swollen stomach and difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue that surrounds the heart, causing difficulty breathing and chest pain. Mesothelioma can also form in the tissue that covers the testicles. This can cause swelling or lumps.
Since mesothelioma is a rare disease, it can be difficult to identify early. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as other ailments, including pneumonia or the flu. Mesothelioma can last for up to years before symptoms are recognized.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer. Doctors must exclude other diseases that share similar symptoms before diagnosing mesothelioma. Once this is done, they can determine the best treatment options for you.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, and then perform an exam. Your doctor may also order blood tests to assess how well your organs are functioning. One such test is the complete blood count (CBC) which looks at the number of white and red blood cells, how your liver and kidneys are functioning, and other vital information. Mesothelioma-related cells are frequently seen in these blood tests, but they can be difficult to detect because they look similar to normal cells.
If your doctor suspects that you have mesothelioma they will likely request imaging tests to determine the location and extent of any growths or fluid in the abdomen or lungs. The most frequent test is a chest radiograph. If the test does not detect any abnormalities, the doctor may order more detailed tests, including a CT or MRI.
These tests produce detailed pictures of the body by combining radio waves with powerful magnets. They can detect fluid or thickening of the pleura and peritoneum which could indicate mesothelioma. A CT scan may also detect other health issues, such as pneumonia or lung infections.
A biopsy can give doctors a better idea about the type of cancer you are suffering from. This is the only method to identify mesothelioma. These samples are examined under a magnifying glass to determine the type of mesothelioma, as well as the extent of the cancer's spread.
Some doctors may also inject dye into a vein or conduct other tests to determine the location where the cancer is located. This is known as staging the mesothelioma and helps doctors understand how far the tumor has grown and the severity.
Treatment
Mesothelioma occurs in the cells that line the lungs and other organs. These cells can expand in uncontrolled ways, and eventually form tumors. The cancer spreads because the cells don't respond to signals that stop them from growing too quickly. It can also infiltrate blood vessels that supply oxygen to the lung. This can result in breathing problems and cough.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through examining the symptoms of an individual and their history of exposure to asbestos. They may also order imaging tests and other lab tests to help detect tumors. Chest Xrays, for instance, are a way to examine lung changes such as the thickening of the pleura and pleural effusion (fluid build-up). They may also order CT scanning, an MRI or a PET scan in order to locate the site of the tumors and determine the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. They can also draw fluid from the lungs (called a Thoracentesis) to test for mesothelioma and reduce pressure on the lungs caused by the accumulation of fluid.
Once mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can design treatment to control the disease. It is crucial to discuss the treatment options with your mesothelioma physician. Some people prefer aggressive treatment to improve their survival and prolong their lives, while others prefer a more gentle method of reducing side effects, such as pain and nausea.
Treatments for mesothelioma can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The type of treatment that a patient receives is determined by the stage of mesothelioma and whether it is composed of epithelioid or sarcomatoid cells. Epithelioid mesothelioid cancer cells are more straightforward to remove through surgery, and they are more likely to be successful than sarcomatoid cells. Some patients have a combination of both types and have less success than those with only epithelioid cancer.
It is important to visit your mesothelioma specialist regularly after the treatment. This can help in preventing the cancer from returning. The mesothelioma treatment team will devise an updated plan in case it recurs.
Some patients with mesothelioma are enrolled in clinical trials to try new treatments. Clinical trials provide patients access to the most cutting-edge treatments, but they are not yet approved for general use.