What is Mesothelioma Cancer?
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos that affects the lining of organs. The symptoms can appear between 10 and 50 years after exposure to asbestos however, they are often misinterpreted as less serious illnesses.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the location and type. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung and accounts for approximately 75 percent of cases. Less common forms occur in the peritoneum, which is the layer that connects the pelvic organs and abdominal organs.
Causes
The cancerous mesothelioma starts in the thin layer that protects the internal organs of your body. It is referred to as the mesothelium. It usually affects the lung lining (pleura) or the lining of the stomach however it can occur in the tissues surrounding your testicles, heart and other parts of your body. Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of this cancer.
Asbestos, which occurs naturally, has sturdy and durable fibers. It was previously employed in a variety of ways, such as for insulation, brakes, shingles and flooring. When asbestos is broken up or disturbed, it can release tiny particles into the air. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the digestive tract and lungs, as well as abnormal cell growth. This could lead to malignant mesothelioma.
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is shocking and scary for families of patients. It is essential to obtain as much information and talk with your doctor about any symptoms that you may be experiencing. It's also crucial to be diagnosed early so that you can start treatment as soon as you can.
When you're first diagnosed with mesothelioma your doctor will conduct physical examination and ask for blood tests and imaging scans of your chest or abdomen. These tests can aid your doctor to identify any unusual growths and rule out other conditions.
Your doctor may suggest a biopsy. This involves removing a small piece from the mesothelium in order to examine it under a microscopy for indications of cancer. You may also receive chemotherapy, which is a process that uses drugs to shrink or kill cancer cells. It can be administered as a pill or through a tube inserted into a vein.
Some mesotheliomas can be considered benign (non-cancerous) and don't spread 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 women and men.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the cells of the membrane that surrounds organs. Mesothelioma cancers that are malignant can spread into other tissues and organs of the body. The inner layer of mesothelium is wrapped around various organs including the lungs, heart, and stomach. The outer layer protects the abdominal cavity, referred to as the peritoneum. A small amount of fluid is found between the two layers, allowing organs to move freely. Mesothelioma can grow in any of the layers of mesothelium.
The nature and location of the cancer will determine the symptoms of mesothelioma. It can be accompanied by 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 doctors to diagnose. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other types of cancer and the time of latency is lengthy.
For pleural mesothelioma, the most common symptoms are chest discomfort, coughing and trouble breathing. The chest pain could be caused by a buildup of fluid on the lung. The fluid is also called an pleural effusion. It is often confused with other conditions such as pneumonia or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).
A CT scan or lung scan can reveal changes in the lung. asbestos lung mesothelioma include the presence of pleural effusion, pleural thickening and the thickness of the pleura. It also helps doctors to rule out other conditions that may be causing symptoms.
A blood test can be used to check the levels of certain proteins, which are higher in mesothelioma patients. Doctors may opt for the procedure known as VATS, also known as thoracoscopic surgical drainage to remove fluid from the pleura. This procedure can ease breathlessness and chest pain.
Mesothelioma symptoms may be mild or severe. Depending on the symptoms doctors may prescribe medication to alleviate the symptoms. For mild pain, doctors prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or Ibuprofen. For severe to moderate pain, doctors may prescribe opioids. These drugs are usually prescribed in combination with NSAIDs. They include hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine and methadone. Palliative care can also help with pain and comfort. It can improve the patient's sleep and quality of life.
Diagnosis
A mesothelioma specialist can diagnose the disease by using various tests. The first step is to perform an examination on the body and then take a sample of the tissue that could be affected. A pathologist will examine the tissue using an instrument to determine if mesothelioma is present and its kind. Blood tests are also used to determine the presence of markers that indicate mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma symptoms may vary based on the mesothelioma type and the location of the tumor. The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest tightness or pain and dry cough. They can also include swelling in the legs and arms as well as an unproven loss of weight and difficulty swallowing. Patients suffering from mesothelioma peritoneal can suffer abdominal pain, swelling of arms and face or difficulty moving because of the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, they can order imaging tests to aid in determining the size and location of the tumor. Doctors can conduct a chest CT scan or an MRI to obtain precise images of the lungs as well as the abdomen.
Doctors can also conduct a needle biopsy to collect a sample of lining surrounding the mesothelioma tumour. This can be performed under local anesthesia, by inserting a thin needle into the mesothelioma, or by using video or camera-assisted biopsies that require inserting a tube of a small size through the chest or abdomen.
These tests can be used to determine the extent of mesothelioma's spreading from its beginning. This information aids doctors in determining the stage of cancer, which is marked by Roman numerals that vary from I to IV.
A team of specialists can help determine the best treatment options for a patient once mesothelioma is diagnosed. The team usually includes mesothelioma surgeons, an oncologist and other medical experts who specialize in different aspects of mesothelioma treatment. They can also recommend palliative care to ease symptoms and pain. Patients with mesothelioma should always get a second opinion from an expert specialist. Many patients receive multiple misdiagnoses before they receive a correct mesothelioma diagnosis.
Treatment
The type of mesothelioma you have and your health condition will determine the type of treatment you get. Surgery is typically the first option for malignant mesothelioma of the pleural. If you have a cancer that is not operable or is in its final stages, other treatments may aid in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.
Your doctor will perform an imaging test, such as chest radiographs, to check whether mesothelioma is present and track its progression. The doctor may also take a tissue sample for testing. A biopsy will reveal the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the type of cancerous cell. This can affect the prognosis. There are three types of epithelioid cells, biphasic cells and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid cells comprise most of mesothelioma diagnoses and respond better to treatment than biphasic and sarcomatoid cancers.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is a typical procedure used to treat pleural mesothelioma. The affected lung is removed the pleura, as well as a part of the diaphragm. This surgery is very injurious, and doctors are careful to only take out as much mesothelioma as is needed. They will utilize a multimodal plan that can include radiation and chemotherapy.
There are other types of mesothelioma surgery which can be used to decrease the size of tumors, or to treat mesothelioma recurrently. A surgeon can remove the lungs of fluid using pleurodesis, or insert tubes that drain the fluid in your home regularly (a pleurectomy). Other surgeries used to treat mesothelioma symptoms include a peritoneal mesothelioma procedure called a cytoreductive surgery with heated intraoperative chemotherapy, also known as HIPEC, which uses chemo on an empty stomach before the removal of the lining of the abdominal cavity.
A lot of people with mesothelioma do not qualify for surgery because they are in the later stages of the cancer or because of their health issues. If you are healthy enough to undergo surgery, it can enhance your life quality and increase the chances of surviving.
Certain mesothelioma types are non-sensible and can be monitored by regular checkups or less invasive procedures, such as the thoracoscopic pleuralodesis or drainage tube for the treatment of pleural effusion. You may also opt to take part in a clinical trial for mesothelioma that offers newer, more targeted treatments than conventional methods.