What is Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?
The pleura tissue covers the lungs and forms the chest cavity, is the location of mesothelioma lung carcinoma. The rare disease can affect the linings of the heart (peritoneum) as well as the abdomen (peritoneum) and testicles.
Doctors utilize X radiations and CT scans in order to detect mesothelioma. They may also order biopsy to collect tissue or fluid samples for testing.
Signs and symptoms
Breathlessness or chest pain may be the first sign of mesothelioma. These symptoms are similar in several cases of pneumonia or influenza, as well as bronchitis. It is important that anyone who is experiencing these symptoms consult their physician. The earlier cancer is discovered, the easier it is to treat.
A chest X-ray or a computerized Tomography (CT) scan, is used to detect mesothelioma. The scans show a an increase in the thickness of the pleura, or calcium deposits on the lung liner. The scan can also show the amount of fluid that is accumulating in the lung space. A doctor can drain this fluid, also known as the pleural effusion. This can help alleviate breathing difficulties and chest pain.
A doctor can also examine an insignificant sample of the area that is afflicted with mesothelioma by taking only a small amount of fluid or tissue. These samples are examined by a laboratory to confirm a mesothelioma diagnose. Mesothelioma occurs more often in the lining around the lungs, but it can also be found in the membrane surrounding the heart or reproductive organs.
If a doctor has confirmed mesothelioma as a diagnosis, the next step is to choose the treatment plan. The treatment options will vary according to the stage and type of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma treatment typically involves surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The goal of these treatments is to improve the quality of life, ease symptoms and extend the duration of their survival.
If someone has pleural mesothelioma and their doctor suspects it, they will try to drain the buildup of fluid inside the lungs, also known as pleura, with the goal of relieving breathlessness and chest pain. This procedure, referred to as pleurodesis, involves the use of a chemical or a medication to irritate the lining of the lungs. It stops it from filling with fluid again. This is only for pain relief and is not a cure.
Palliative care is discussed with the patient. This can help reduce discomfort and other symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, and loss of appetite. They will advise patients to eat well and drink plenty of fluids and suggest exercise and relaxation techniques to alleviate stress.
Diagnosis
Imaging tests are used to identify the affected region since mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs. These tests can identify the size and location of any tumors as well as any accumulation of fluid in or around the abdomen or the lungs.
If a doctor suspects that a person might have mesothelioma they will ask them about their history of exposure to asbestos and any signs they are experiencing. The patient could also undergo a physical exam.
Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect. Early symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a dry cough are similar to symptoms of numerous other illnesses. Mesothelioma is often mistakenly diagnosed as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. It can take up 20 years to identify mesothelioma.
To confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, doctors will take an examination of the affected area. This is done by inserting a needle in the affected region and removing the tissue to be examined under microscope. Doctors can perform a pleural biopsy using VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery), which is a kind of keyhole surgery, or CT-guided core biopsies.
Blood and fluid sample tests can aid in diagnosing mesothelioma. These tests will check for high levels in the blood of certain substances associated mesothelioma. This includes mesothelin-related peptides that are soluble and Fibulin-3. A thoracentesis procedure is used to remove fluid from the lungs or to remove fluid that has built up around them.
MRI and CT scans can help doctors to see mesothelioma changes in the lungs, like calcium deposits or thickening of the lining. They can also detect whether the cancer has spread, also known as metastasis. These results will influence the kind of treatment recommended by a doctor. In addition to these tests, doctors will take into account the stage of mesothelioma and a person's general health in deciding on a treatment plan.
Treatment
If you suffer from mesothelioma pleural, which affects the tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity, it can cause symptoms like breathlessness or pain in the chest. These symptoms are caused due to the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion) in the lung. If you are experiencing these symptoms, speak to your doctor as soon as possible.
Mesothelioma is often difficult to detect, as it can take between 10 and 40 years for mesothelioma symptoms to appear, and it is often diagnosed in advanced stages. When cancer is first discovered it can be difficult to determine how far it has spread. As a result, mesothelioma treatment is often at a palliative stage to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the nature, location and stage of the tumor, as well as the extent to which it has spread. Your doctors will design an individual mesothelioma plan based on the symptoms you are experiencing and your general health.
This plan is likely to include chemo, surgery and radiation. You can choose to undergo a pleurectomy or a decortication according to your preference and the stage of cancer. This procedure eliminates the pleura, which is the thin membrane that runs between the chest cavity and lungs. This procedure also eliminates any visible tumours that are present from the chest wall and lungs.
You can opt to have a tube placed in your chest to drain fluid that has accumulated in the lungs and chest. You could also receive medication to reduce the risk of mesothelioma recurring. Some patients have undergone treatment with a gene to fight mesothelioma and other cancers.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists will create your mesothelioma treatment plan. The team could include your doctor, pulmonologist (lung specialist) surgeon oncologist, radiologists and an a chest physician. The radiologist interprets mesothelioma cancer scans as well as other tests. A chest surgeon is a surgeon who performs surgery on the lungs and chest. The medical oncologist prescribes chemo and coordinates radiation therapy. A pulmonologist or thoracic doctor can insert a tube in the chest to drain fluids a couple of times a week, if required.
Prognosis
The prognosis of a person with mesothelioma will depend on a variety of factors, including how far the cancer has spread and whether it can be removed by surgery. It will also depend on their general health. There are a variety of treatment options to help manage symptoms and extend life expectancy. These include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.
The cells that line the affected organ are used to determine mesothelioma. To establish a precise diagnosis, doctors look at the tissue specimen under a microscope to determine the type of cancerous mesothelial cells present. This is referred to as a biopsy. This information can be gathered by a doctor using a pleural liquid sample or chest CT.
The location of the tumor is also important in determining if mesothelioma is present. The most popular mesothelioma type is called pleural, which forms in the lining lining the lung. Other less well-known forms include pericardial, peritoneal and testicular mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can be difficult diagnose because the cells responsible for it are so similar to those of other lung diseases. As a result, it is often mistakenly diagnosed. Patients should be aware of symptoms and discuss them with a mesothelioma expert. They may recommend tests to determine whether the patient is suffering from mesothelioma or another condition.
A biopsy is typically the best way to confirm mesothelioma. It is accomplished by removing a tiny piece of the tumor with an instrument or via VATS (Video-assisted surgery through thoracoscopic) which is a form of keyhole surgery. The biopsy is examined with magnifying glasses to look for mesothelioma.
If mesothelioma is detected doctors can determine how far it has spread through a series of tests, including CT scans, FDG-positron emission tomography, mediastinoscopy or EBUS (endoscopic biopsy of the thoracic lung). The stage, or extent, of the mesothelioma will also be assessed.
If mesothelioma can't be removed surgically, treatment options like palliative treatment can be utilized to manage symptoms and prolong the life of as long as is possible. Different maintenance therapies, including immunotherapy and chemotherapies, can prevent the mesothelioma from growing or spreading for months or even years. Although the median survival rate for mesothelioma is low, there are some notable survivors who have surpassed their predictions. Stephen Jay Gould, a paleontologist, was able to survive peritoneal mesotheliom for over 20 years following his diagnosis.