Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening diagnosis. Your prognosis depends on how far the cancer has spread and what kind of mesothelioma type you have.
The most common kind is pleural. It is found in the lining of the lungs. The other two kinds are peritoneal mesothelioma as well as biphasic or mixed mesothelioma. Each type has a different survival rate.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma affects the linings around organs in the body, also known as the mesothelium. The most common form of cancer is in the lungs (pleura) but can be found in the abdomen (peritoneum) or in the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of cancer, the location, and the stage of disease. Early diagnosis and treatment improves survival rates. Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma are similar to other illnesses and can be difficult to identify. As a result, mesothelioma is often not diagnosed for a long time.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, coughing, and an impression that the abdomen or chest are tight. Patients may also have difficulty breathing. Patients may also notice weight loss and loss of appetite. A doctor will look over a patient's health history and conduct a physical examination to check for indications of mesothelioma. A doctor may request tests for blood and imaging to detect mesothelioma. This includes a CT scan or MRI of the chest and abdomen. They can also perform the procedure known as thoracentesis. It is used to drain fluid from the lungs, and then examine samples of tissue for a mesothelioma biopsy.
The doctor will then decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma. Patients should discuss any asbestos exposure with their physicians and can seek an appointment with a seasoned mesothelioma specialist in the event of need.
A mesothelioma diagnosis requires multiple specialists and a team of healthcare professionals can help patients manage their symptoms and receive the best mesothelioma treatment possible. The team could comprise a general physician as well as a pulmonologist or chest surgeon, an interventional radioologist as well as a medical oncologist and a radiation oncologist.
The most commonly used mesothelioma form known as pleural mesothelioma is the most common. It is found in the lung pleura and accounts for around 75 percent of mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is less frequent and is located in the peritoneum. It is harder to treat than pleural mesothelioma and generally has a poor prognosis. As the tumor grows it may press on the diaphragm, or the lining of the heart. This can lead to extreme pain. This could also cause difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Diagnosis
A patient should see with a physician when they begin to notice symptoms of mesothelioma. The doctor will examine the patient and order tests to determine if mesothelioma could be the reason for the symptoms.
Mesothelioma isn't easy to diagnose because its symptoms may mimic those of many other illnesses. It can take doctors a long time to link mesothelioma with asbestos exposure. Even if a person is aware that they have been exposed to asbestos, the cancer may develop slowly and may not be diagnosed until it is at an advanced stage.
During the initial diagnosis procedure, a doctor will review the patient's medical history and ask questions regarding the asbestos exposure that they have had in the past. 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 can allow doctors to detect any changes in the abdominal wall and chest caused by mesothelioma. These will include pleural thickening and the pleural effusion which is a build-up of fluid around the abdomen or lungs. A doctor may also recommend an MRI or PET scan to create detailed images of the affected area and observe how the tumors impact the surrounding tissue.
The blood tests will check for elevated levels of certain substances produced by mesothelioma cell. These will help the doctor to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and decide on a treatment plan.
If the doctor has a high suspicion of mesothelioma they will request a biopsy to obtain an in-depth sample of the cancer. A tube will be placed into the stomach or lungs to extract a small sample of tissue. If this isn't feasible, a surgeon will create an incision on the abdomen or chest to remove a larger sample of tissue 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, sarcomatoid and biphasic (also known as mixed type). The doctor will determine the best course of treatment in light of the diagnosis.
Treatment
Malignant mesothelioma occurs when an array of genetic mutations in cells causes them to grow and divide out of control. Over time, the abnormal cells accumulate and multiply until they develop into the form of a tumor. The tumor can be covered by healthy tissue. Mesothelioma is a highly dangerous cancer. But there are treatments that can prolong the life of patients and improve the symptoms of many patients.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are based on the location where the tumors are situated. About 3 of four mesotheliomas begin in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural mesothelioma. Another 10 to 20 percent of cases start in the abdominal cavity, a condition referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma. A rare form of mesothelioma known as cardiac-peritoneal mesothelioma can also occur in the tissues surrounding the heart.
The doctors can treat mesothelioma through removal of the tumors surgically, and/or using various cancer treatments. Mesothelioma doctors work together to create an overall treatment plan that is specific to each patient. These plans include a combination cancer treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy.
The surgical procedures used for removing mesothelioma vary depending on where the tumors are located and their stage of development. The extrapleural pneumonectomy is a more complex operation that involves removal of the diaphragm and lung in addition to visible tumors. 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 with mesothelioma may also benefit from the treatment known as cytoreductive surgery. It also includes heated chemotherapy (HIPEC) in which the tumors are removed from the abdominal cavity, then heated chemotherapy is applied to wash them.
Throughout the treatment process mesothelioma patients may suffer a variety of side effects from chemotherapy. These side effects could include fatigue, an increased risk of nausea or vomiting, and infection. Certain patients might experience numbness or the sensation of tingling on their fingers or toes, as well as low blood cell counts, hair loss and a drop in blood cell count. Doctors may prescribe pain relievers and nutritional supplements to lessen the negative effects. Patients must discuss all medicines they receive with their doctor to find out more about them and any potential side effects.
Prognosis
A doctor's mesothelioma diagnosis is a rough estimate of the patient's life expectancy. It is based on several factors including the type and stage of mesothelioma, an individual's age general health and how well the treatment works.
The outlook for mesothelioma patients may improve if it is diagnosed early. Mesothelioma is a latency disease which means that doctors have to wait until symptoms show up before determining the cause.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough physical examination and taking a medical history of the patient. They may also order imaging tests or a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The kinds of imaging tests a doctor can order include chest CT scans and an MRI and a lung function test.
These tests can be used to determine the size and location of mesothelioma. These tests can also help determine if cancer has spread. If the tumor is detected in the pleura, doctors are able to perform a surgical procedure called a thoracentesis, which is a procedure to drain fluid and collect an appropriate sample for biopsy.
A person's GP could be able to assist in coordinating a treatment team for mesothelioma. Specialists include a pulmonologist an interventional radiologist, a surgeon of the thorax and medical oncologists.
During pericardial mesothelioma cancer , doctors will also be able to determine the type of cancer cells that form the tumor. There are three kinds of mesothelioma cancer cells and the patient's overall health status could be influenced by which type they have. Patients with epithelioid or sarcomatoid forms of mesothelioma for instance have a better outlook than those with the sarcomatoid.
Treatments for mesothelioma can improve the chance of survival for a patient by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer. They can also improve the quality of life and reduce symptoms.
Many mesothelioma patients have survived for years despite a inadequate diagnosis. They may find inspiration and hope in the stories of those who have defied odds. A mesothelioma patient can also seek out clinical trials that may provide new treatments. These trials offer patients the chance to try experimental procedures that may prolong their life.