What is Mesothelioma?
The rare cancer mesothelioma affects a thin layer of tissue that surrounds the majority of internal organs. It typically begins in the lining that surrounds the lungs, but it could start in the lining surrounding the abdomen or the heart.
Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through examining your medical history and conducting an examination. They can also search for signs of mesothelioma in CT scans and X-rays.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma forms in the mesothelium the layer of tissue that covers and protects internal organs throughout your body. The most common site of mesothelioma is the pleura, which lines your lungs and the chest cavity. The peritoneum is a membrane that covers your abdominal cavity. The pericardium forms a sac around your heart.
Symptoms of mesothelioma depend on where the cancer forms and the degree to which it is advanced. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, the most prevalent form of this disease can include difficulty breathing, coughing and chest pain.
Pleural effusion is another manifestation of mesothelioma of the pleura. Pleural effusion can make breathing difficult, as the pleura becomes thicker and restricts the space required for the lungs to expand when breathing. Pleural effusion is often mistaken for other conditions such as tuberculosis or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Many people are not diagnosed with mesothelioma before it has reached an advanced stage due to its long latency period and resemblance to other diseases. This can have a significant impact on the prognosis.
A mesothelioma is diagnosed by an examination of the body or imaging tests, as well as a biopsy. The doctor will insert a needle into the site and remove some of the tissue to check for mesothelioma cancer cells under the microscope.
These tests will allow doctors to determine the stage of the cancer or how far it has spread. This will help determine the best treatment for you.
Surgery is the most popular form of treatment for mesothelioma. Doctors may also suggest radiation therapy or chemotherapy. These treatments can reduce or kill cancerous cells of mesothelioma and also stop them from spreading.
Some patients with mesothelioma have had success in clinical trials. These trials evaluate new mesothelioma treatment options in the hope of finding the cure. Your doctor can assist you in finding trials.
Diagnosis
Finding a mesothelioma diagnosis that is accurate is the first step towards receiving treatment. Doctors take multiple steps to diagnose the disease, starting with a physical examination and then proceeding with imaging tests and lab work. They may recommend a biopsy, which collects tissues and fluids from the tumor to further study.
Mesothelioma happens when cells in the lining of your body's organs like the abdomen or chest, develop abnormally and out of control. In time, they can form a mass, which is often mistaken for other cancers or illnesses, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. The first signs are usually respiratory issues, such as breathing problems or chest pain. Mesothelioma also affects the skin and may cause painful lumps on the skin, known as fibrosis. It can affect the heart causing chest pain or swelling.
To identify mesothelioma in patients doctors will request imaging tests, including X-rays, CT scans and MRIs to examine your lung and abdomen areas in greater detail. X-rays, CT scans and other imaging tests can detect lung changes such as a pleural fluid effusion or evidence of the accumulation of fluid in the lung. MRI scans use magnetic fields instead of radiation to reveal more information. They can also reveal whether the tumors have spread to nearby structures such as the diaphragm or the heart.
A blood test can detect increased levels of proteins that are associated with mesothelioma like fibulin-3 or soluble mesothelin related peptides. MRIs and CTs can be used to detect mesothelioma elsewhere in the body.
If your doctor finds the presence of tissue or fluid or tissue buildup, they could also recommend a thoracentesis or pericardiocentesis to look for mesothelioma-related cells in the fluid. If they find cells in the fluid, further tests will determine if you have mesothelioma of the pleural or peritoneal one.
Your doctor will decide on the treatment plan according to the results of your lab work. The type of mesothelioma and the extent to which it has spread will determine the prognosis. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. If you have reached an advanced stage, treatment is focused on controlling your symptoms in order to keep you at a comfortable level for as long as it is possible.
Treatment
If a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, doctors will attempt to manage the cancer and treat any symptoms as they occur. It's crucial that patients know about the condition and treatment options, as well as prognosis, so that they can make informed decisions regarding their treatment. It's also beneficial to have a support group that can assist with daily tasks and appointments.
Mesothelioma affects the thin layer of skin that forms the inner organs. The exposure to asbestos is the principal cause. The disease can be seen in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). In rare instances, it can occur in the heart's lining (pericardial mesothelioma) and in the testicles (testicular mesothelioma).
The symptoms of bronchitis include chest pain, fever, skin rash and coughing. A doctor can identify the problem by taking a small amount of tissue or fluid from the affected area, and then studying it under the microscope. Imaging tests can be employed by doctors to determine the extent of cancer's spread. These tests include X-rays CT scans, and FDG-positron emission tomography. CT scans produce three-dimensional images of multiple organs, and can scan the chest lymph nodes. FDG-PET uses a radioactive compound to identify and highlight cancer cells that absorb it. A biopsy can be done by VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery), a minimally invasive procedure, or by doing a CT-guided needle biopsy under local anaesthetic.
The surgery may improve breathing in some instances, but it's not likely to cure cancer in later stages. A pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) operation removes part of the lining around the lung. The more extensive extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) removes an entire lung, a portion of the diaphragm as well as the sac lining that surrounds the heart (pericardium).
Chemotherapy is a process that uses chemicals to kill mesothelioma cancer cells or stop them from growing. It is administered through mouth, injected directly into a vein, muscle or directly into the abdomen. It is possible to administer it before surgery in order to make it easier, or after surgery to decrease the chance of cancer what is mesothelioma tissue recurrence.
Targeted therapy is another kind of treatment that targets cancer cells without harming healthy cells. Radiation therapy is a method used after surgery to eliminate cancerous cells. New treatments, like Tumor Treating Fields(TTFields) have also helped control the growth of mesothelioma in clinical trials.
Prognosis
The options for treating patients with mesothelioma are many. A specialist in mesothelioma may suggest treatments based on the type of cancer, where it has spread, and other factors. A misdiagnosis could result in an ineffective treatment and let the cancer grow and spread. A person with mesothelioma should seek a second opinion by a mesothelioma doctor to prevent a misdiagnosis.
Overall, the prognosis of mesothelioma may be poor. This is due to the fact that mesothelioma is a cancer that usually doesn't cause symptoms for years and can be difficult to identify until the disease has progressed to later stages. Mesothelioma can be an deadly cancer, and current treatments aren't effective enough to stop it from spreading.
Mesothelioma most commonly starts in the layers of tissue that surround each lung (the pleura). It may also begin in the stomach's lining (peritoneum) less frequently. A person's life expectancy depends on which kind of mesothelioma is present and the stage when it is first diagnosed. People who have epithelioid varieties of mesothelioma generally have a better outlook than those who have sarcomatoid and biphasic forms.
It isn't clear what causes the initial changes that cause mesothelioma however exposure to asbestos is the most frequent risk factor. Asbestos was a natural mineral used in a variety of industries prior to its ban in the 1970s. It was used primarily in manufacturing and construction because it is heat- and flame-resistant. Mesothelioma is more common in people working in these sectors. This includes shipyard workers power plant workers, and other professionals who worked with asbestos-containing substances.
The risk of mesothelioma is also higher for relatives of asbestos-exposed individuals. This is because the fibers can be absorbed by clothing or hair, and then be brought to the home of an individual who was exposed. The fibers could be ingested by spouses, children and other loved ones. Animals and pets can track them into homes.