What is Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?
Mesothelioma lung cancer develops in the pleura tissue, which covers the lungs and lines the chest cavity. This rare condition can affect the tissues of the heart (peritoneum), abdomen (peritoneum) and the testicles.
Doctors make use of X-rays as well as CT scans to look for symptoms of mesothelioma. They may also order a biopsy to collect fluid or tissue samples for testing.
Signs and symptoms
The first sign of mesothelioma could be breathlessness or chest pain. These symptoms are similar in many cases of pneumonia, influenza, and bronchitis. It is crucial that anyone who is experiencing these symptoms sees their doctor. The earlier cancer is detected the easier it will be to treat.
A chest X-ray, also known as a computerized Tomography (CT) scan, is used to detect mesothelioma. The scans reveal the pleura becoming thicker or calcium deposits on the lung lining. The scan may also reveal the amount of fluid that is accumulating in the lung space. This fluid, referred to as pleural effusion, may be eliminated by a doctor to alleviate chest pain and breathing problems.
A doctor may also test a small sample of the area that is afflicted with mesothelioma, by taking only a small amount of fluid or tissue. These samples are tested in a laboratory to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma occurs more frequently in the lining surrounding the lungs, but it can be found in the membrane that surrounds the heart or reproductive organs.
When a doctor confirms mesothelioma diagnosis, the next step is to choose the best treatment plan. The treatment options are different depending on the type and stage of the mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma treatment usually involves surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The aim of these treatments is to improve the patient's quality of life, ease symptoms and prolong the life of the patient.
The doctor will try to drain fluid from the pleura or lungs of a patient with cancer of the pleura in order to ease chest pain. This procedure is known as pleurodesis and involves using drugs or chemicals to damage the lung's lining, so it won't fill with fluid. This is only for pain relief and is not a cure.
The doctors will also discuss palliative treatment with the patient, which aids to ease discomfort and other symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue and weight loss. Patients will be advised to drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy meals. They might also suggest exercises and relaxation techniques to ease stress.
Diagnosis
Imaging tests are used to pinpoint the affected area because mesothelioma affecting the lining of lungs. These tests can reveal the location and size of any tumors, and also any fluid accumulation in or around the lungs or abdomen.
If doctors suspect that a patient may have mesothelioma, they will inquire about their history of exposure to asbestos and any symptoms they are experiencing. The patient could also undergo a physical examination.
It can be a challenge for doctors to identify mesothelioma. Early signs like chest pain, breathlessness and a dry cough are similar to those experienced by other diseases. Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed for lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. It can take up to 20 years for mesothelioma be identified.
To confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, doctors take a biopsy of the affected area. This is done by inserting a needle in the area affected and then removing a sample of tissue to be examined under the microscope. Doctors can perform a core biopsy with CT guidance or VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic systolic surgery) which is a type of keyhole surgery.
Tests of blood samples and fluid samples can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect high levels in blood of the substances associated mesothelioma. These include soluble mesothelin related peptides and Fibulin-3. If a patient has an accumulation of fluid within or around the lungs, doctors may remove a fluid sample to be tested using a procedure called thoracentesis.
MRI and CT scans can aid 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 type of treatment suggested by a doctor. In addition to these tests, doctors consider the stage of mesothelioma and the general health of a patient when making a decision on a treatment plan.
Treatment
If you suffer from mesothelioma of the pleural region which affects the tissues that lines the lungs and chest cavity, it may cause symptoms like breathlessness or pain in the chest. These symptoms are caused by a buildup of fluid (pleural effusion) in the lung. Consult your physician in the event that you experience these symptoms.
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because it can take up to 40 years before symptoms show. It is also often diagnosed at a later stage. When the cancer is first discovered it can be difficult to determine the extent it has expanded. This is why mesothelioma is usually treated at a palliative stage to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are based on the type, stage and location of the tumor and the extent to which it has spread. Your doctors will design a mesothelioma treatment strategy that is unique to you in accordance with your symptoms and general health.
This treatment plan will likely include surgery, chemo and radiation. You can opt to undergo a pleurectomy or a decortication according to your preference and the stage of cancer. This procedure removes the thin membrane that protects the chest cavity and lungs known as the pleura. It also removes any visible cancers from the lungs and chest wall.
You can opt to have a tube placed inside your chest to eliminate the fluid that has accumulated in the lungs and chest. You may also be prescribed medication to reduce your risk of mesothelioma coming back. Certain patients have received chemotherapy to fight mesothelioma, as well as other diseases.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists will develop your mesothelioma care plan. The team could include your doctor and the pulmonologist (lung specialist), surgeon oncologist, radiologists and an a chest physician. The radiologist interprets mesothelioma scans and other tests. A chest surgeon performs surgery on the chest and lungs. The medical oncologist prescribes chemotherapy and coordinates radiation therapy. A pulmonologist or surgeon who specializes in thoracic surgery can place an instrument in the chest to drain fluid at least mesothelioma cancer survival rates once a week if necessary.
Prognosis
The prognosis of someone diagnosed with mesothelioma depends on a variety of factors, including how far the cancer has spread and whether it can be removed surgically. It will also depend on their overall health. There are many treatment options that can help to manage symptoms and extend life expectancy. This includes chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed by the cells that form the lining of the affected organ. To establish a precise diagnosis, doctors look at a tissue specimen under a microscope to determine the type of cancerous mesothelial cell that is present. This is referred to as a biopsy. Doctors can make use of an pleural fluid sample, or a chest CT scan to collect the information.
The location of the tumour is also vital to determine if mesothelioma is a diagnosed. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the lining of the lungs, and is the most frequent type of this cancer. The less popular kinds are peritoneal, testicular and pericardial mesothelioma.
It is often difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma because the cells responsible for this condition are similar to those in other lung diseases. It is the reason it is often mistakenly diagnosed. Patients must be aware of symptoms and discuss them with a mesothelioma specialist. They may then suggest tests to determine if a patient has mesothelioma or a different condition.
A biopsy is the main method to determine if a mesothelioma is present. The tumor is removed with a needle, or VATS (Video assisted thoracoscopic Surgery) which is a type of keyhole surgery. The biopsy is then examined under a microscope to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.
If a mesothelioma is found doctors can assess the extent to which 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 the extent, of the mesothelioma will be determined as well.
Palliative treatments can be used when the mesothelioma cannot be surgically removed. This will manage symptoms and prolong your life to the maximum extent possible. Maintenance therapies such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy can stop the mesothelioma expanding or spreading over time. While the median survival rate for mesothelioma can be low, there are notable survivors who have lived beyond their predictions. Stephen Jay Gould, a paleontologist, was able to survive peritoneal mesotheliom over 20 years after his diagnosis.