Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma forms in the thin layer of tissue that covers most of your internal organs. Most cases of mesothelioma occur in the lining of the lungs (pleura). Other, rarer types form in the lining of the abdomen or around the heart and testicles.
Mesothelioma treatments can slow down the spread of cancer and offer relief from symptoms. Your doctor will determine which treatments you require based on your stage of mesothelioma.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops within the organs' linings within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause it. Mesothelioma is associated with many different occupations, such as construction, shipbuilding, and auto repair. Many mesothelioma victims are military veterans who were exposed to asbestos at working in the military.
Fatigue and difficulty breathing are the first symptoms of mesothelioma. The condition can also cause pain when the tumors press against organs and nerves. Fluid buildup can be caused by tumors, which is often mistaken for lung disease or other respiratory disorders.
To avoid mesothelioma, is vital to undergo regular medical examinations for exposure to asbestos and other ailments. Doctors often do not detect the disease until its advanced stages. Patients may suffer a lot when they don't receive treatment until they are in the final stages of the disease.
If mesothelioma has been identified and treated, it is treated with chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. The specific treatment depends on where the cancer is located and the stage at which it is. The three major types are epithelioid mesothelioma sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic. Each type has its own survival rate however all are challenging to treat.
Researchers are seeking ways to diagnose mesothelioma earlier. One test that could be used is the biomarker released by mesothelioma into the bloodstream. This could help doctors diagnose the condition earlier and start patients on the appropriate treatment plan. There is currently no recommended screening test for Mesothelioma. X-rays, CT scans and swellings can be detected by X-rays or CT scans. However a biopsy can tell whether the lumps are mesothelioma.
Symptoms
Asbestos fibers inhaled may cause irritation to the lung lining (pleura). Over time the pleura could develop cancerous tumors. Cancer cells may also spread to other parts of the body, but most frequently to the abdominal cavity or the heart. Benign mesothelioma doesn't constitute a cancer, but it could cause symptoms that are similar to those of malignant mesothelioma.
The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath, chest or back pain and fatigue. Symptoms depend on where the tumor starts in the pleura and on the type of mesothelioma.
About half of all mesothelioma cases start in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma). The rest begin in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or in the reproductive organs of males and women (pericardial mesothelioma).
Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma with imaging tests like CT scans, PET scans, and MRIs. However, a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the cell type. mesothelioma peritoneal cancer is carried out by inserting a needle inside the tumor and then removing the tissue to be examined under the microscope.
If diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, doctors can help patients manage their symptoms by draining fluid around the lungs. This is done using a procedure called thoracentesis. In some cases, doctors can place a small tube in the chest that allows patients to drain extra fluid at home with the help of instructions from their doctor. Pleurodesis, which seals the layers of the pleura to prevent excess fluid buildup, can also help patients breathe easier. In addition, patients who need relief from pleural effusions can be placed on a peritoneal mesothelioma trial to see if a treatment can help them manage their symptoms. The American Cancer Society also has a database of mesothelioma support resources, including patient lodging programs and ride-to-treatment services.
Diagnosis
The first step to get mesothelioma diagnosed is to visit a physician regarding symptoms, like chest pain or breathing difficulties. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your asbestos exposure and then perform an examination. They may also request imaging scans of your abdomen or chest to check for abnormalities. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and it is difficult for doctors to diagnose. The signs and symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other diseases. It is crucial to have a specialist diagnose you to ensure that you receive the right treatment.
A biopsy is the only way to confirm mesothelioma. A surgeon or other healthcare professional takes small amounts of tissue or liquid from the affected area to examine it using a microscop. The skin of the patient is numbed prior to the procedure.
Mesothelioma patients who have an accumulation of fluid in their chest (pleural effusion) may have a pleural biopsy, which is the most common type of mesothelioma biopsy. It involves injecting local anesthetic in the affected area before inserting a needle to collect an in-situ sample of tissue or fluid.
Other types of mesothelioma biopsies include the use of a camera or video-assisted biopsy, as well as an open surgical biopsy. The doctor may opt for laparoscopy, or thoracoscopy when the pleura is infected by cancer. During these procedures doctors insert a viewing device into the affected region. They then take diagnostic samples and alleviate the symptoms of fluid accumulation in the lung. A peritoneal biopsies is also performed to detect mesothelioma inside the abdominal cavity. Patients with mesothelioma often suffer from nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Doctors may also drain a person's abdomen by using an indwelling pleural drain.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. Your doctor will choose the treatment plan that's right for you. Your treatment goals may include trying to cure your cancer or simply improving your quality of life. Your treatment options are determined by the type of mesothelioma, its location within your body, and your general health.
When mesothelioma has been detected at an early stage, it can be removed by surgery. In some cases, this can eliminate the cancer. After a cancer diagnosis, surgery can be used to treat symptoms and limit the spread of cancer.
Chemotherapy (a drug that kills the cancer cells) or radiation therapy is often used to treat mesothelioma when surgery is not an option. Radiation therapy is a type of therapy that uses high-energy rays to kill cancerous cells or help your immune system destroy them. If you have advanced mesothelioma, your doctor may recommend immunotherapy to increase or improve your immune system's ability to fight cancer. The drugs nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) are two forms of immunotherapy that are used to treat mesothelioma.
If mesothelioma returns after the initial treatment, there are new treatments that are being developed constantly. You might want to think about taking part in a trial of a novel or better mesothelioma treatment. There are support groups for mesothelioma available that can connect you with doctors who have treated patients suffering from this disease. A solid support system can aid you in dealing with the side-effects of mesothelioma treatments and keep appointments. Positive thinking and a positive attitude can increase your chances of regaining.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is dependent on many factors. The mesothelioma type, the stage and the rate at which it spreads are a factor. The treatment plan and a person's overall health can impact survival.
Mesothelioma doctors use a staging system to help determine a person's outlook and mesothelioma treatment options. The stage of mesothelioma is based on the results of a physical exam, biopsy and imaging tests. A person's stage is given a number from I (1) to IV (4), with the lower numbers meaning less of the cancer has spread. A person's mesothelioma is also classified based on whether the tumor is epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic. Epithelioid mesotheliomas are easier for doctors to recognize and treat, while sarcomatoid mesothelioma is more difficult to treat and has a worse prognosis than biphasic mesothelioma.
A patient's mesothelioma can recur after treatment. Recurrence could occur in the same part of the body as the first mesothelioma or it can expand to a different area. Recurrence of mesothelioma may be treated with chemotherapy or other types depending on the site of the cancer.
The symptoms of breathlessness and chest pain can affect the quality of life of a mesothelioma victim. In some instances these symptoms can be alleviated with surgery. It is typically an invasive procedure that is known as VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery). Patients who are not able to undergo surgery will likely receive supportive care, which includes medications to ease symptoms and decrease fatigue. These medications are delivered via a tube located in the chest (called a Pleural drain) or inhaled into lung. The pleural drain can be drained as often as twice per week to prevent the accumulation of fluid and improve breathing.