What is Mesothelioma Cancer?
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos that affects the lining of organs. The symptoms can develop between 10 and 50 years after exposure to asbestos but they are often mistaken as less serious ailments.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the location and type. Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung and accounts for approximately 75 percent of cases. Less common types occur in the peritoneum (the layer that covers abdominal organs as well as pelvic structure).
Causes
Mesothelioma is a cancer that originates in the thin layer of tissue that covers and protects your internal organs. It is known as the mesothelium. It usually affects the tissue lining your lungs (pleura) or the stomach's lining, but it can also occur in the tissues surrounding your heart, testicles and in other places. The cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with tough, durable fibers. It was used for variety purposes, including insulation, brakes, and shingles. When asbestos is broken up or disturbed, it can release tiny particles into the air. Inhaling these fibers may cause irritation to the lungs and digestive tract, and also cause abnormal cell growth. mesothelioma lung can result in mesothelioma that is malignant.
A mesothelioma diagnose can be scary and shocking for patients and family members. But it's important to get as much information as you can and to speak with your doctor about any signs you're experiencing. It's also essential to be diagnosed early to start treatment as soon as it is possible.
If you're the first person to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, your doctor will perform a physical exam and request blood tests and imaging scans of your abdomen or chest. These tests can aid your doctor to identify any unusual growths and rule out other illnesses.
Your doctor may suggest a biopsy. This involves taking a small amount of the mesothelium to examine it under a microscope for signs of cancer. You can also receive chemotherapy, which makes use of specific medicines to kill cancer cells or shrink them. This can be given as a pill or through an injection into the vein.
Certain mesotheliomas are benign (non-cancerous) and do not expand to other parts of the body. Melotheliomas that are benign can occur in the abdominal or pleura cavity, as well as in the reproductive organs of men and women.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the cells of the membrane surrounding organs. The malignant mesothelioma tumors can spread to different organs and tissues of the body. The inner layer of mesothelium is wrapped around various organs such as the heart, lungs and stomach. The outer layer covers the abdominal cavity, referred to as the peritoneum. A tiny amount of fluid is present between the two layers, allowing organs to move around freely. Mesothelioma can develop in any of the mesothelium layers.
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary based on the type and the location of the cancer. The symptoms can include breathlessness, coughing, pain and fatigue as well as swelling. As with other types of cancer mesothelioma can be rare and it may be difficult for a physician to recognize. The symptoms may resemble those of other conditions and mesothelioma can have a long time of latency.
For pleural mesothelioma the most frequently reported symptoms are chest discomfort, coughing and trouble breathing. Chest pain is caused due to pressure on the lungs caused by the accumulation of fluid in the pleura. The fluid, also known as a pleural effusion is often mistaken for other ailments such as pneumonia or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).
A CT scan or lung scan can detect changes in the lung. These include the pleural effusion, pleural thickening and the thickness of the pleura. It also helps doctors determine if there are any other illnesses which could cause symptoms.
A blood test can measure levels of certain proteins that are elevated in mesothelioma patients. Doctors can also use the procedure known as VATS or thoracoscopic surgery to drain the pleura of fluid. This can help relieve chest pain and breathlessness.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be severe or mild. Doctors can prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms based on the symptoms. Pain that is mild can be treated with over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen and aspirin. For severe to moderate pain, doctors can prescribe opioids. They are typically prescribed together with NSAIDs. They include hydrocodone and oxycodone as well as codeine and methadone. Palliative care may also assist with pain and ease. It can help improve the patient's sleep and the quality of their life.
Diagnosis
A mesothelioma specialist can identify the condition by using a variety of tests. The first step is a physical exam and an examination of the tissue sample. A pathologist analyzes the tissue under a microscope in order to determine if mesothelioma is present and its nature. Blood tests are also used to look for markers that indicate mesothelioma-related diagnosis.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may differ based on the kind and the its location. The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems, chest pain or tightness and a dry cough. They can also include swelling in the legs and arms as well as an unproven loss of weight and difficulty swallowing. Patients with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region may feel abdominal pain, swelling of the arms and face, or difficulty moving because of abdominal fluid accumulation.
When doctors find evidence of mesothelioma they may then request imaging tests to help them identify the location of the tumor and its size. Doctors can perform a chest CT scan or an MRI to provide detailed images of the lungs or abdomen.
Doctors can also conduct a needle biopsy to obtain an insignificant sample of the lining of the mesothelioma tumor. This can be done using local anesthesia, which involves inserting needles that are thin into the mesothelioma. Or, using video or camera assisted biopsies which involve inserting a small tube into the chest or abdominal area.
These tests can also help determine how far mesothelioma is spreading from the point of the beginning. This information helps doctors determine the stage of cancer, which is marked by Roman numerals that vary from I to IV.
A group of specialists can help determine the best treatment options for a patient once mesothelioma has been identified. The team typically includes mesothelioma surgeons, an oncologist and other medical professionals who specialize in different aspects of care for mesothelioma. They can also recommend palliative treatments to treat the symptoms and pain. Mesothelioma patients should always consult a second opinion with an experienced mesothelioma doctor. Many patients are misdiagnosed before receiving a definitive mesothelioma diagnosis.
Treatment
The type of mesothelioma you have and your health status will determine what kind of treatment you get. Surgery is usually the first treatment option for malignant pleural mesothelioma. If you are diagnosed with cancer that is not operable and in its later stages, other treatments can assist in relieving symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Your doctor will perform an imaging test, such as chest radiographs, to look for the presence of mesothelioma and track its progression. They can also collect a sample of the cancerous tissue to be tested. A biopsy will reveal the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the type of cancerous cells. This can impact the prognosis. There are three types: epithelioid cells, biphasic cells and sarcomatoid. The majority of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid tumors, which are more responsive to treatment than sarcomatoid or biphasic cancers.
The treatment for mesothelioma in the pleural region usually includes the procedure known as extrapleural, or EPP. The procedure removes the lung affected as well as the pleura and a portion of the diaphragm. This procedure is extremely injurious, and doctors make sure to remove as much mesothelioma that is required. They will use a multimodal plan that can include chemotherapy and radiation.
Other mesothelioma surgery procedures can be used to shrink the size of tumors or treat recurrent cancer. For example surgeons may remove the lungs of their fluid (pleurodesis) or put in an instrument to drain the fluid frequently at home (a pleurectomy). Other procedures that are utilized to alleviate mesothelioma-related symptoms include a peritoneal mesothelioma surgery called a cytoreductive surgery with heated intraoperative chemotherapy, or HIPEC, which uses chemo on an empty stomach before the removal of the abdominal lining cavity.
A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma not eligible for surgery due to their advanced stage of cancer or health condition. However, if you're healthy enough to undergo surgery, the treatment can improve your quality of life and extend survival.
Some types of mesothelioma are not as risky and can be treated with routine checkups, or with less invasive procedures like a thoracoscopic pleurodesis or drainage tube for Pleural effusion. You can also sign up for a mesothelioma clinical trial that offers more targeted treatment options than traditional methods.
