Ask Me Anything 10 Responses To Your Questions About Mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be overwhelming. It's normal to be stunned, angry and confused.
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleura that surrounds the lungs and chest wall. The cancer causes fluid accumulation in the lungs, making it difficult to breath.
Asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. People at risk are those who have been exposed to asbestos, or who lived with someone who has.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lining of tissues, called the mesothelium. This liner protects your chest, heart, and abdomen, as well as most of your other organs. It is composed of two layers that create a sac around the inner layer of your body's organs, and is separated by fluids to allow organs to move freely. Mesothelioma cells become malignant, or cancerous, and grow into and destroy surrounding tissues. They may also expand (metastasize) to other areas of the body.
Those who are most at risk of developing mesothelioma include those who have been exposed to asbestos while at work. Asbestos workers include construction workers, plumbers, electricians, asbestos miners, welders, auto industry workers and others. People who lived or worked near asbestos facilities, such as factories and power plants are also at higher risk. Mesothelioma patients have been exposed to asbestos for between 20 and 60 years prior their illness appears.
Pleural mesothelioma occurs most commonly in the lung lining. This mesothelioma type can cause chest pain, trouble breathing, and weight loss. It usually occurs in the lungs, but it can also affect the stomach or heart. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be a rare type of the disease which affects the lining in the abdominal cavity. It can cause pain and difficulty eating.
The pericardial mesothelioma and tunica vaginalis are two different types of mesothelioma. They both occur in the tissues that cover the linings of the chest, abdomen, or testicles. These mesothelioma types are often undiagnosed and have a lower survival rate than other forms.
The mesothelioma treatment options depend on the type and location of the cancer and the stage at which it was diagnosed and general patient health. Some patients can be successfully treated by chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Others with advanced mesothelioma will receive experimental treatments, such as gene therapy or immunotherapy. In either scenario, the treatment options available can dramatically increase a person's life expectancy.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that usually occurs in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, a heat - and fire-resistant mineral that was used in insulation, construction, shipbuilding power generation, home renovations before it was banned in the 1970s. Exposure is primarily due to working in the asbestos industry, however, people who have cleaned up work clothes with asbestos fibres or disturbed asbestos in home renovations may also be at risk of developing mesothelioma.
The majority of patients with mesothelioma experience general symptoms such as tiredness and weight loss and coughing that fluctuates in pattern or intensity and chest pain. Patients should consult their physician if they experience any of these symptoms. They should also be sure to inform their doctor if they have been exposed to asbestos.
In the case of pleural asbestosis symptoms, they are often caused by the tumor, causing fluid to accumulate within the area around the lung. This build-up, also known as a pleural effusion, puts pressure on the lungs and can make breathing difficult. The volume of fluid inside the pleural cavity is important in the reduction of breathlessness.
Other symptoms of mesothelioma can include the night sweats, a fever, and abdominal pain. The fever is caused by the body's temperature rising as it fights the disease. The night sweats are a reaction to the fever and a strategy by the body to get cool. These symptoms indicate that cancer is worsening and causing stress on the body.
Other signs of mesothelioma are fatigue, stomach swelling and a difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue that surrounds the heart, causing problems with breathing and chest pain. Mesothelioma can also form in the membrane that covers the testicles. This can lead to swelling or lumps.
Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect early since it is so rare. asbestos mesothelioma lawyers of mesothelioma are similar to those of other illnesses and may be mistaken for a flu or pneumonia. This is why mesothelioma symptoms may take from months to years to appear before they are diagnosed.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is difficult to detect. Doctors must determine if there are other health conditions that have similar symptoms before diagnosing mesothelioma. Once this is done, they can decide on the best treatment options for you.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, and then perform an examination. Your doctor can also order blood tests to see how your organs are performing. A complete blood count (CBC) is a test that examines the number of red and white blood cells as well as how your liver and kidneys are functioning, is an example of a test. These blood tests can detect mesothelioma, however it's difficult to recognize them because they look similar to normal cells.
If your doctor suspects that mesothelioma is the cause, they may order an imaging to determine the size and the location of any fluid or growths in the abdomen or lungs. A chest radiograph is the most commonly used test, however if it doesn't reveal any abnormalities, the doctor may then order more detailed tests like an CT scan or an MRI.
These tests create detailed images of the body through the combination of radio waves with powerful magnets. They can detect thickening and fluid in the peritoneum or pleura which could indicate mesothelioma. A CT scan can also identify other health issues, such as pneumonia or lung infections.
Doctors may be able to be able to determine the type of mesothelioma that you have by taking a tissue sample taken during an examination. This is the only way to diagnose mesothelioma. The samples are examined under a magnifying glass to determine the kind of mesothelioma as well as the extent of the cancer's spread.
Some doctors may inject dye into a vein or conduct other tests to determine the region where the cancer is located. This is called staging mesothelioma, and it helps doctors determine how far the cancer has spread.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the cells that line the lung and other organs. These cells can grow beyond their limits, and eventually form tumors (masses). The cancer can spread because the cells don't respond to signals that prevent them from growing too quickly. It can also infiltrate blood vessels that supply the lungs with oxygen. This can cause breathing difficulties and a cough.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by examining the symptoms of an individual and their history of asbestos exposure. They may also order imaging and other lab tests to locate and determine the presence of tumors. For instance, doctors may use chest X-rays to check for lung changes such as the pleural thickening, or the pleural effusion, which is a build-up of fluid. They may also order CT scans, an MRI and an PET scan to see where the tumors are located and to determine how much mesothelioma has spread. They can also draw fluid from the lungs (called a thoracentesis) to check for mesothelioma and to relieve pressure on the lung caused by fluid accumulation.
Once a mesothelioma-related diagnosis is confirmed, doctors can begin planning treatments to control the disease. It is essential to discuss the treatment options with your mesothelioma specialist. Some patients want aggressive treatment to extend their lives and improve their chances of survival, while others are comfortable with a less-intensive approach to reduce pain, nausea and other side effects.
Mesothelioma treatments include radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. The kind of treatment a patient receives depends on the stage of mesothelioma as well as whether it is composed of epithelioid or sarcomatoid cell. Epithelioid cells are easier to remove surgically and have better outcomes than the sarcomatoid cells. Some patients are affected by both types, and suffer from a worse outcome than those with only epithelioid cancer.
After completing treatment it is crucial to check in with your mesothelioma doctor regularly. This will keep the cancer from recurring. If it does recur, your mesothelioma team will create a new treatment strategy.
Some patients with mesothelioma enroll in clinical trials to try new treatments. Clinical trials provide patients access to advanced treatments that aren't yet approved for general use.