Mesothelioma Cancer
Although mesothelioma can't be treated treatments can prolong survival and reduce symptoms. Combining chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy can provide relief.
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in mesothelium's cells. This membrane protects the organs within the body. The most prevalent type of mesothelioma affects the lung. It can also affect the stomach and heart linings.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, also referred to as mesothelioma is a tumor that can cause cancer and affects the organs' linings. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, a mineral that was used in manufacturing and construction prior to its ban in the 1970s. Asbestos was primarily used in pipefitting, insulation, and fire-retardant materials. The most significant risk of exposure was for those working in mills and factories as well as power stations, shipyards and power plants and also those who removed asbestos or its contaminants from the material.
It could take between 20 and 30 years for mesothelioma-related symptoms to appear. The symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties (dyspnea) and swelling in the abdomen or lungs. Other symptoms include a loss in appetite, weight loss, and a blockage in the small intestine. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed at late stages, when the tumor has gotten larger.
Doctors can determine if mesothelioma is present by studying tissue or fluid samples under microscope. If a patient has an accumulation of fluid in their lungs or stomach doctors can inject an instrument into the area to remove samples for testing. If they detect mesothelioma-like cells, further tests will confirm the diagnosis.
Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, a patient is able to be treated for their specific symptoms. Treatments for mesothelioma typically include chemo, surgery, and radiation.
The type of mesothelioma that a patient is suffering from can affect their prognosis. There are three types of mesothelioma cell classified as epithelial (epidermal) or the sarcomatoid (sarcoma) and biphasic, or mixed. The most commonly used kind is epithelial mesothelioma which has more survival rates than the two other types.
The treatment that a patient receives depends on the stage of their mesothelioma as well as other health issues such as age. The treatment for mesothelioma is more likely to be successful in those who are younger and have better overall health. Treatment options include removal surgically of mesothelioma tumors chemotherapy, or other medications that kill cancer cells, and radiation therapy to shrink tumors and aid patients breathe more easily. In certain instances treatment options, such as the use of gene therapy or immunotherapy could be considered. All of these treatments can improve the chance of survival for mesothelioma sufferers.
Symptoms
Like other cancers, mesothelioma starts when a cell's DNA undergoes mutations. These mutations can cause the cell to grow unchecked and form a mass. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the organs' linings the body, such as the chest, lungs, heart and abdomen. It can also spread to bones or joints.
The asbestos-related diseases that people are exposed to typically develop mesothelioma within the pleura (lung lining), and peritonum (abdominal lining) or the pericardium (abdominal sac that surrounds the heart). The type of mesothelioma and where the tumor is located in the body will determine the symptoms a person experiences.
A shortness of breath, chest pain, and a swelling of the lung are all signs of pleural Mesothelioma. These symptoms are often difficult for doctors to diagnose because they are similar to those of other conditions like a common cold or heart disease. The mesothelioma symptom usually develops slowly and becomes worse over time.
Patients with mesothelioma should be prepared to discuss their symptoms to their doctor. The doctor will take a detailed medical history and may order imaging tests such as an X ray or CT scan. A physician may also perform the procedure known as a thoracentesis. In this procedure, fluid is removed from around the lung to determine mesothelioma cells.
A thoracentesis may also be used to relieve the pressure that builds up in the chest due to fluid buildup. If the doctor determines that mesothelioma has been identified, they will discuss the treatment options with patients.
Treatment options for mesothelioma will differ based on the stage and type. Patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Surgery removes or reduces the size of tumors and may improve breathing. Chemotherapy involves drugs that enter the bloodstream to kill or shrink mesothelioma cells. This can be given by mouth or injected into veins.
Due to the latency period, mesothelioma is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. This may limit the options for treatment and also reduce the life expectancy of a patient. However, many patients are able to improve their chances of survival by undergoing aggressive treatment. If you or someone you know has mesothelioma, be sure to see an an experienced doctor as quickly as you can.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare condition, and it's often misdiagnosed at the first sign of symptoms. The symptoms may include chest pain, coughing and breath shortness. They are similar to symptoms of many illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. The accumulation of fluid in the chest and abdomen can also be caused by mesothelioma. This can result in abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss.
Doctors will examine a patient and review their medical history in order to identify mesothelioma. The doctor will examine the patient's symptoms and ask if they've ever been exposed to asbestos. The cancer is most common among those who have been exposed to asbestos in factories or in schools.
A lung CT scan is a different test to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. The test uses X-rays and a computer to create cross-sectional images of the chest. These images can reveal calcium deposits on the lung's lining (pleural thickening) and fluid in the abdomen or chest and other changes that suggest mesothelioma.
Doctors may also order an examination of blood to determine the levels of protein in a person's blood, which can help identify mesothelioma. These tests can also aid in determining the type of cancer is present. Different types of mesothelioma can be identified by different cellular compositions and respond differently to treatment.
When mesothelioma is confirmed it is a biopsy needed to get a more precise mesothelioma diagnosis. This is accomplished by removing a small amount of liquid or tissue from the tumor. The mesothelioma specialist will then examine the tissue using microscope to determine if it is cancerous.
The mesothelioma specialist can utilize this sample to determine the mesothelioma's grade. This will help them decide on the treatment is best for the patient. Mesothelioma treatments include radiation, chemotherapy or surgery. If the mesothelioma is at a late stage the doctors may suggest palliative care to improve quality of life and reduce symptoms such as breathing problems or pain. These treatments could include removal of fluid from the chest cavity or lungs (pleurodesis) or putting a tube inside the chest to assist with breathing (pleurobotics). The treatment for mesothelioma may be combined with other methods such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available to treat mesothelioma. There are a variety of treatment options available to treat. Speak to your doctor about the various treatment options and potential adverse effects.
Most doctors treat what is the symptoms of mesothelioma mesothelioma with chemotherapy. This type of treatment stops the growth of cancer cells by killing them. Doctors mix chemotherapy with other treatments or surgical procedures to increase the chance of a patient's treatment.
There are various types of chemotherapy that are more effective than others in treating mesothelioma. The type of chemotherapy that your doctor prescribes depends on the area of the cancer your body, as well as the type you are suffering from. For Pleural cancer, pemetrexed as well as cisplatin (Alimta) or carboplatin, are typically prescribed.
Other types of chemotherapy are used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the pericardial region. Doctors can also employ a combination of doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and chemotherapeutic agents such as paclitaxel, doxorubicin-liposome injection, or gemcitabine. Additionally, new targeted therapies for mesothelioma are being tested in clinical trials. This includes medications that hinder the formation of tumors and drugs that target specific proteins in cancer cells.
Surgery for pleural mesothelioma might be an option to remove the cancer and relieve symptoms. The surgeon might perform an extrapleural pneumonectomy which involves the removal of the affected lung, diaphragm and a small portion of the lining around the heart; or a pleurectomy with pulmonary decortication. In this procedure, they remove the pleura and as much of the cancer as is possible. Pleurectomy with peritoneal disection is a less well-known surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma. The surgeon may remove all or a part of the lining that surrounds the abdomen.
A few early-stage mesotheliomas can be observed closely without treatment. This is often the situation for stage I or II mesotheliomas that do not cause symptoms. However, a mesothelioma in this stage may expand rapidly and become more difficult to treat later.
If you are diagnosed with advanced mesothelioma, you may need to participate in a clinical study of an innovative treatment. Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat. Doctors are always looking for ways to improve the outcomes for their patients.