Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma could be scary. The prognosis of your case will depend on how far your cancer has spread and the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from.
The most popular type is pleural, which is found in the lining of the lungs. The other two types are peritoneal and mixed mesothelioma. Each has a different survival rate.
Symptoms
The mesothelium forms the lining of the organs. Cancer most commonly occurs in the lungs. However, it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum) or in the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma is classified according to type, location and stage of the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment improves survival rates. Malignant mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to other illnesses making it difficult to recognize. Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed, and is left untreated for a long time.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, coughing and an impression that the chest or abdomen is tight. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients may also notice weight loss and loss of appetite. A doctor will review the patient's medical history and conduct a physical exam to determine if there are indications of mesothelioma. A physician can conduct tests for blood and imaging to determine if mesothelioma is present, such as a CT scan or MRI of the abdomen and chest. They can also use the thoracentesis procedure to drain fluids from the lungs, and examine a tissue sample for mesothelioma-related biopsy.
The doctor will then determine the most effective treatment plan for mesothelioma. Patients should discuss any asbestos exposures with their doctors and request the referral of a mesothelioma expert.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma is made by a variety of specialists. A team of healthcare professionals can help patients manage their symptoms and get the best treatment for mesothelioma. The team could comprise a general physician, a pulmonologist, or chest surgeons, as well being an interventional radioologist, medical oncologist, and a radiation-oncologist.
The most common mesothelioma form the pleural mesothelioma form is the most frequent. About 75 percent of mesothelioma is caused by this type of cancer. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a lesser-known type and is found in the peritoneum of the stomach. It is more difficult to treat than pleural mesothelioma, and has a generally poor prognosis. As the tumor grows, it could press against the diaphragm as well as the lining of your heart. This can result in severe pain. It can also cause difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing.
Diagnosis
If someone begins to experience mesothelioma-related symptoms, he or she should consult a doctor. The doctor will evaluate the patient and conduct tests to determine whether mesothelioma is the cause of the symptoms.
It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases. It may also take some time for doctors to connect mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. Even if someone is aware that they have been exposed to asbestos, the disease could grow slowly and not be discovered until it reaches an advanced stage.
In the initial diagnosis procedure, a doctor will examine the patient's medical history and ask questions regarding any previous exposure to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct physical examination. The doctor will also request tests for imaging and blood tests to check for changes to the abdomen or lungs.
An x-ray or CT scan will help doctors detect any changes in the abdominal and chest walls caused by mesothelioma. This will include pleural thickness and pleural effusion (fluid build-up around the abdomen or lungs). A doctor may also order an MRI or PET scan to produce precise images of the affected area and observe how the tumors affect surrounding tissue.
The blood tests will check for elevated levels of specific substances that are produced by mesothelioma cells. These will help the doctor confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis and then decide on the best treatment plan.
If the doctor has a high suspicion of mesothelioma they will request a biopsy to obtain an image of the cancer. This will involve inserting a tube into stomach or lungs to remove a small piece of tissue for testing. If this isn't possible, a surgeon may cut an incision in the chest (thoracotomy) or abdomen (laparotomy) to remove a larger tissue sample or, in rare cases the entire tumor.
The mesothelioma then is tested to determine the type and degree. There are three types of mesothelioma - epithelial (also known as mixed type) as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic. The diagnosis will allow the doctor to determine the best course of action will be.
Treatment
Malignant mesothelioma occurs when a series of genetic mutations in cells cause them to divide and grow out of control. As time passes, the abnormal cells multiply and grow until they form a tumor, which can be surrounded by healthy tissue. Mesothelioma can be an extremely dangerous cancer. However, there are treatment options that can prolong the life of patients and improve symptoms for many patients.
The location of the tumors will determine which treatment options are available to treat mesothelioma. Around 3 out of 4 mesotheliomas begin in the chest cavity. This is called pleural mesothelioma. Another 10% to 20% of cases begin in the abdominal cavity. This is known as mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Mesothelioma may also develop in the tissues around the heart, a rare type of mesothelioma referred to as cardiac mesothelioma peritoneal.
Mesothelioma can be treated by removal of the tumors surgically, and/or by using a variety of cancer treatments. Mesothelioma doctors work together to create an overall treatment plan that is unique to each patient. These plans include a combination treatment for cancer, such as surgery and chemotherapy.
The surgical procedures used to eliminate mesothelioma differ based on where the tumors are located and their stage of development. For instance, surgeons can perform an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) which is an operation more complex that removes the lungs and diaphragm in addition to any visible tumors within the chest cavity. They can also perform a pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery, in which the doctor removes the pleura and any visible tumors around the lungs and chest wall. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could benefit from a treatment known as cytoreductive surgical and heated chemotherapy (HIPEC), in which the tumors are removed from the abdominal cavity and heated chemotherapy is used to cleanse them.
Throughout the treatment process mesothelioma patients may suffer a variety of side effects from chemotherapy. These include fatigue, a greater risk of infection, nausea or vomiting. Some patients may also have numbness and tingling in their toes or fingers as well as low blood cells and hair loss. Doctors can prescribe pain relievers and nutrition supplements to help reduce these side effects. Patients should discuss with their doctor all prescription medications to learn about them and possible side effects.
Prognosis
A mesothelioma's prognosis is the doctor's estimate of how long the patient will live with the disease. It is based on several factors, including the mesothelioma type and stage, a person's general health and age and how well treatment works.
A person's mesothelioma prognosis may improve if detected at an early stage. Mesothelioma is a latency disease that means that doctors need to wait until symptoms show up before determining the cause.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after an exhaustive physical examination as well as taking the patient's medical history. To confirm the diagnosis, they may also request imaging tests or a biopsy. Imaging tests that a physician might request include a chest CT scan or an MRI, and a lung function testing.
These tests can assist doctors determine the size of mesothelioma, as well as its location in the body. They can also show if the cancer has spread. If the tumor is found in the pleura, doctors can perform a surgical procedure known as a thoracentesis to drain fluid and collect samples for biopsy.
A person's GP may be able to help coordinate a treatment team for mesothelioma. The specialists may include the Pulmonologist (respiratory physician), an interventional radiologist or a thoracic surgeon, as well as an medical oncologist.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is made, doctors can also measure the type of cancerous cells that comprise the tumor. There are three kinds of mesothelioma cell types and the patient's overall health status could be influenced by what type they are. For instance, those with epithelioid mesothelioma have a better chance of survival than those with mesothelioma that is sarcomatoid.
mesothelioma lung cancer lawyers for mesothelioma may improve the chances of survival for patients by slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer. They can also improve quality of life and help manage symptoms.
Many people with mesothelioma have lived for years after receiving an unfavorable prognosis. They may find inspiration and hope from stories of patients who have overcome odds. A mesothelioma sufferer can ask about clinical trials that could offer new treatment options. These trials give patients the chance to try experimental procedures that may prolong their lives.