Mesothelioma - What is Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma begins when mutations occur in a cell's DNA. The mutations make the cell grow and multiply unchecked resulting in a tumor.
The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the type and the location. Pleural mesothelioma for instance, can cause the formation of fluid in the lining of the chest cavity. This is referred to as an pleural effusion.
Diagnosis
Most often, mesothelioma can be diagnosed by a family doctor. They will discuss with the patient about their symptoms and conduct an examination. They might also recommend a series of tests.
These tests are designed to determine the overall health of a person and the efficiency of their organs. They may include blood tests, which will test for specific mesothelioma-related chemicals. The X-rays may also be beneficial especially for patients with mesothelioma of the pleural region. They can show fluid build-up and a thickening of the pleura. For people with peritoneal mesothelioma An MRI scan might be used to look at the abdomen for signs of cancer.
The doctor will probably require a sample of the tissue where the cancer is growing which is known as biopsy. They will then send it to a laboratory for analysis. They will search for mesothelioma tumor cells in the tissue, and assess how fast the cells are growing and if they are spreading. The type of mesothelioma the cells are identified to be has a significant impact for the mesothelioma prognosis, because there are three main mesothelioma types: epithelioid cells (which comprise 70 percent of diagnoses), sarcomatoid cells (20 percent of diagnoses) and biphasic, which are a combination of both.
A surgical biopsy is performed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma as well as to find out what stage the disease is at. A surgeon will place a needle into the abdomen or chest wall to remove a small amount of tissue to test.
Doctors may also drain fluid from the pleura or peritoneum (called a "pleural effusion") to test for mesothelioma. This is done by placing tubes into the throat of a person who has been sedated. It's called an endobronchial ultra-sound needle biopsy.
Other methods for collecting mesothelioma tissue include fine needle biopsies as well as thoracoscopy. During these tests, doctors utilize imaging scans in order to guide a camera into the chest or abdomen. This allows the draining or removal of samples of tissue to be examined by a pathologist. In some cases the GP may also request an in-depth staining of the tissue sample. This test looks for certain molecules that are only present in mesothelioma cells and can help identify them from other cancerous or non-cancerous cells.
Treatment
When mesothelioma has been diagnosed, doctors will try to eliminate as much as possible. This helps reduce the symptoms and increases the chance of cancer returning. Doctors can also employ other treatments to try to slow the growth of mesothelioma, or stop it from spreading. This includes chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Doctors can also prescribe medications to manage nausea, pain and other signs.
The treatment options you have will depend on the type of mesothelioma that you have. You and your doctor discuss treatment options and how they might impact your quality of life. This is known as shared decisions and is an essential part of the mesothelioma team process.
The pleura is the lining that protects the lungs. The pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the diaphragm, chest wall, and lungs. Pleural mesothelioma is distinct from lung cancer that occurs in the lungs.
During surgery, doctors can take a biopsy of the mesothelioma pleural to confirm the diagnosis and determine if it has spread to other areas of the body. This can be done using VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical), a type keyhole surgery or by using CT guided needles to take the pleural tissue for analysis under local anaesthetic.
If the mesothelioma can't be removed doctors can remove the pleura of fluid in order to relieve breathlessness and chest pain. They may also provide the palliative care needed to treat other symptoms, like fatigue, pain and loss of appetite.
Some patients opt to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy in order to shrink mesothelioma or stop it from spreading. These are the norm of treatment, but your doctor might suggest a new approach to treatment if they believe it can increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
If your mesothelioma comes back after treatment, it's referred to as mesothelioma that has recurred. People with recurrent mesothelioma might benefit from taking part in clinical trials to test new treatments. You can find out more about clinical trials from our Mesothelioma Research Tool. It shows how mesothelioma treatment trials have helped other patients suffering from similar tumors.
Prognosis
The prognosis for those diagnosed with mesothelioma depends on the cell type as well as the location in which the tumor is located, and if it has spread (metastasized) from its original location. Mesothelioma can be classified as epithelial cancer, sarcomatoid cancer or biphasic. People with mesothelioma containing epithelioid cancer cells in the majority tend to live longer compared to those with an increased number of biphasic and sarcomatoid cancer cells.
Doctors perform physical examinations and imaging tests to determine if or not a patient is suffering from mesothelioma. They also examine a patient's medical history and any previous exposure to asbestos. The doctor may request a biopsy in order to collect a small amount from the tumor or mass to be tested in a laboratory. A biopsy can be performed by undergoing surgery, inserting needles into the chest or abdomen or by taking out fluid from the affected region using a procedure called thoracentesis.
Mesothelioma is most common in the pleura, which is the membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity and the peritoneum, which is the membrane that surrounds organs like the intestines, stomach and liver and the pericardium, the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. The disease is more prevalent in men than women and typically develops after the age of 60. It may take between 30 and 50 years after exposure to asbestos before symptoms begin to manifest.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can include difficulty breathing, coughing or abdominal pain. Patients may experience fluid accumulation in the abdomen, a condition that is known as ascites.
When diagnosing mesothelioma, doctors typically do imaging tests to determine if the mesothelioma fluid in lungs cancer is spreading or to check for other tumors in the body. They can also request blood testing to measure the levels of certain proteins, which are higher in patients with mesothelioma.
In addition to surgical treatment, mesothelioma survivors can improve their prognosis by making healthy lifestyle choices, like getting enough sleep and consuming healthy eating habits. They can also learn to relax and reduce stress. A good support system can aid patients in dealing with their illness.
Prevention
Avoiding asbestos exposure is the best way to avoid mesothelioma. However there are many who are at risk from past exposure. Regular screening can detect asbestos exposure early, especially if you have a history of asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that grows in the tissues of the body's organs and structures. It is typically caused by exposure to asbestos. The cancer can affect lungs or abdomen, as well as the heart. There are a variety of types of mesothelioma. The most common type is pleural, and affects linings of the lungs. It may also occur in the abdomen's lining (peritoneum) or in the testicles (asbestosis).
Asbestos exposure is the main reason for mesothelioma. It can take 20 years or more to show signs to appear after exposure. Those who are most at risk of developing mesothelioma are those who were exposed to asbestos as miners or construction workers, welders, or in the automotive industry. People who were exposed through their military service to asbestos could also be at high risk.
There are four different kinds of mesothelioma maligna. They are classified according to the type of cells they form. They could be sarcomatoid or epithelial. Each type has different treatments.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent form of the disease. It is a condition that occurs when the lining (pleura) of the lung develops abnormal cells that develop into tumors. Men are more likely to develop it than females.
It can be challenging for doctors to identify this condition because symptoms are often similar to those of other diseases or illnesses. Shortness of breath, coughing and chest pain are common symptoms. The lungs can be filled with fluid (pleural effusion) and an increase in the size of the lungs referred to as pulmonary edema are also common. The lining of the heart (pericardium) can develop abnormal cells that create mesothelioma pericardial. Mesothelioma can also occur in the testicles, which can cause distinct symptoms such as pain, a lump in the scrotum, or loss sexual function.
Other risk factors include a family history of the disease, a previous experience with cancer or genetics. It is also crucial to regularly undergo X-rays as well as blood tests as they can detect asbestos in the lungs, as well as other indicators of lung issues.