Mesothelioma The Good The Bad And The Ugly

What is Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of Mesothelioma is a devastating one. It's normal to feel stunned, angry and confused.
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleura that is the lung's protective wall. The cancer causes the formation of fluid inside the lung which makes it difficult for the patient to breathe.
Asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma. People at risk are those who have worked with asbestos, or resided with someone who has.
What is mesothelioma?
The cancerous mesothelioma is a cancer that develops on the lining mesothelium, or the lining. The mesothelium lining covers and protects the majority of organs in your body, including your chest, heart and abdomen. It is composed of two layers that create a sac around inner layer of your organs, and is separated by fluid to allow the organs to move easily. Mesothelioma cells can become malignant or cancerous, and expand into and destroy nearby tissues. They may also spread to other areas of your body (metastasize).
The most at-risk group for developing mesothelioma is those who have been working with asbestos. Asbestos-related workers include plumbers electricians, welders, asbestos miners and auto industry workers. People who live or work near asbestos-containing facilities, such as power plants and factories, are also at a higher risk. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos for between 20 and 60 years prior to the time their illness appears.
The most common type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma of the pleural region, which develops in the lining that surrounds the lungs. This type of mesothelioma may cause chest pain, breathing difficulties and weight loss. It is most often affecting the lungs, however it could also affect other organs such as the heart and stomach. People with peritoneal mesothelioma a rare type of disease that affects the abdominal lining cavity, may suffer from discomfort in the belly and abdomen, as well as difficulties eating.
The pericardial mesothelioma and tunica vaginalis are two different types of mesothelioma. Both of them are found in the tissue covering the linings of the chest, abdomen or testicles. These types of mesothelioma typically remain undiagnosed and have lower survival rates than other types of the disease.
The mesothelioma treatment options depend on the nature and location of the cancer, the stage at diagnosis and general patient health. Some patients can be successfully treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other patients with advanced mesothelioma will undergo experimental treatments like immunotherapy or gene therapy. In either scenario, treatment options can enhance the patient's life span.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that usually occurs in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a heat and fire-resistant mineral used in construction, insulation ships power generation, home renovations prior to being banned in the 1970s. The main reason for exposure is working in the asbestos industry, however, people who have cleaned their the workwear with asbestos fibres or disturbed asbestos in home renovations may also be at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Most mesothelioma patients have general symptoms such as fatigue or weight loss, coughing that has a change in frequency or intensity, chest pain and so on. Patients should consult their physician if they experience any of these symptoms. Tell your doctor that you've been exposed to asbestos.
In the case of pleural asbestosis symptoms, they are often caused by the tumor that causes fluid to build up within the area around the lungs. This fluid build-up, also called a "pleural effusion" is a source of pressure on the lungs, which makes breathing difficult. The volume of fluid in the pleural cavity is important in the reduction of breathlessness.
Other symptoms of Mesothelioma are the night sweats, a fever and abdominal pain. The body's temperature rises as it fights the disease. This is what causes the fever. The body attempts to reduce its temperature by producing sweating during the night in response to the fever. These symptoms are indicators that cancer is worsening and causing stress to the body.
Other signs of mesothelioma can include fatigue, a swollen stomach and a difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissues surrounding the heart which can cause chest pain and breathing difficulties. It is also possible to develop mesothelioma inside the testicles' lining, causing swelling or a lump in the testicles.
Since mesothelioma is a rare disease and difficult to diagnose early. The symptoms of mesothelioma are comparable to those of other diseases and are often mistaken for pneumonia or flu. Mesothelioma can last for up to years before symptoms are identified.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a challenging cancer to diagnose. Before diagnosing mesothelioma by doctors, they must rule out any other conditions that have similar symptoms. Once this is done, they will determine the most effective treatment options for you.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and conduct a physical examination. Your doctor might request blood tests to determine how well your organs function. A complete blood count (CBC), which measures the number of red and white blood cells and how well your kidneys and liver are functioning, is an example of a test. Mesothelioma cells are often seen in these blood tests, but they can be difficult to detect because they appear similar to normal cells.
If your doctor suspects mesothelioma is the cause, they may order an imaging to determine the amount and location of any fluid or growths around the abdomen or lungs. A chest radiograph is the most commonly used test, but if it does not reveal any abnormalities, doctors may request more thorough tests such as an CT scan or an MRI.
These tests produce detailed pictures of the body through the combination of radio waves with powerful magnets. They can detect the presence of fluid and thickening in the peritoneum and pleura, which can indicate mesothelioma. A CT scan can also reveal other health issues such as pneumonia or a lung infection.
Doctors can sometimes be able to determine the type of mesothelioma you have by taking a tissue sample taken during an examination. This is the only sure way to diagnose mesothelioma. These samples are then examined under microscopes to determine mesothelioma's cell type, and how far the cancer has taken over.
Certain doctors inject dye into a vein, or perform other tests to determine the exact area of the cancer. This is referred to as staging mesothelioma and assists doctors in determining the extent to which the cancer has been able to spread.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is a result of the lung's cells and organs. These cells can expand in uncontrolled ways, and eventually form tumors. The cancer spreads because cells aren't able to respond to signals that stop the growth of the cells too fast. It may also infiltrate blood vessels that provide oxygen to the lungs. This can make breathing difficult and cause a cough.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through examining the symptoms of an individual and their history of exposure to asbestos. They may also order imaging and other lab tests in order to find and detect tumors. Chest X-rays, for example are a way to examine lung changes such as pleural thickening and the development of pleural effusion (fluid build-up). They may also recommend CT scanning as well as an MRI or a PET scan to see the location of tumors and determine how far mesothelioma spreads. They can also draw fluid from the lung (called a Thoracentesis) to check for mesothelioma and reduce pressure on the lung caused by the accumulation of fluid.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis has been made, doctors can plan treatment options to manage the disease. It is crucial to discuss your goals for treatment with a mesothelioma specialist. Some patients prefer aggressive treatment to improve their survival and prolong their lives, whereas others prefer a less aggressive approach to reduce adverse effects, like pain and nausea.
Mesothelioma treatment options include radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. The type of treatment one receives is determined by the stage of their mesothelioma and whether or not it is comprised of epithelioid or sarcomatoid cells. The epithelioid cell is easier to remove through surgery and has a better chance of success than sarcomatoid. Some patients have both types and have an even worse outcome than those who only have epithelioid cancer.
It is important to visit your mesothelioma specialist regularly after completing the treatment. More methods will help to prevent the cancer from recurring. If it recurrs, your mesothelioma team will develop a new treatment plan.
Patients with mesothelioma may be enrolled in clinical trials to test new treatments. Clinical trials provide patients access to cutting-edge treatments that are not yet approved for general use.