What is Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?
Mesothelioma lung cancer develops in the pleura tissue that is a protective layer for the lungs and lines the chest cavity. The rare disease can affect the linings of the heart (peritoneum) and abdomen (peritoneum) and the testicles.
Doctors use X-rays and CT scans to find mesothelioma-related signs. They may also order biopsy to take tissue or fluid samples for testing.
Signs and symptoms
The first signs of mesothelioma can be chest pain or breathlessness. These symptoms are similar to those of many illnesses, including pneumonia or influenza, as well as bronchitis Therefore, it is essential for anyone who is experiencing them to see their doctor. The earlier cancer is detected the more straightforward it will be treated.
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed with a chest X-ray or a computerized tomography (CT) scan that shows the thickening of the pleura tissue or calcium deposits on the lung lining. The scan will reveal if fluid is accumulating within the space around the lung. This fluid, referred to as pleural effusion, may be eliminated by a doctor to ease breathing difficulties and chest pain.
A doctor can also take small amounts of fluid or tissue from the area in which the mesothelioma has been discovered to determine if mesothelioma cells are present. These samples are examined by a laboratory to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. Mesothelioma is more likely to occur in the lining of the lungs than in any other part of the body, but it can also occur within the membrane around the heart or reproductive organs.
If a doctor has confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis, the next step is to choose the treatment plan. Treatment options differ based on the stage and the type of mesothelioma.
Treatment for mesothelioma typically includes chemotherapy treatment, radiation therapy or surgery. The aim of these treatments is to improve the quality of life, relieve symptoms and extend the duration of their survival.
If someone is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, their doctor will probably attempt to drain the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, or pleura, with the goal of easing chest pain. This procedure, known as pleurodesis involves the use of a chemical or drug to disrupt the lining of the lung. It stops it from filling with fluid. This is only used for pain relief not a cure.
The doctors will also discuss palliative treatment with the patient, which aids to alleviate discomfort and other symptoms such as hunger, fatigue and weight loss. They will suggest patients eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids and will suggest exercises and relaxation techniques that alleviate stress.
Diagnosis
Imaging tests are used to determine the affected region since pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of lungs. These tests can reveal the location and size of any tumors and any accumulation of fluid in or around the lungs or abdomen.
If doctors suspect that a patient may have mesothelioma, they will ask about the history of asbestos exposure and any symptoms. The patient could be examined for physical symptoms.
Mesothelioma isn't easy to diagnose. The initial symptoms, like breathlessness chest pain, shortness of breath and a dry cough are similar to other illnesses. Mesothelioma may be mistakenly identified as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. Consequently, it can take up to 20 years for mesothelioma to be identified.
In order to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, doctors will take a biopsy of the affected area. This is accomplished by inserting a needle in the affected region and extracting a sample of tissue that is then examined under a microscope. Doctors can conduct a core biopsy under CT guidance or VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic systolic surgery) which is a type of keyhole surgery.
Tests of fluid and blood samples can also help to diagnose mesothelioma. In these tests, doctors will be looking for elevated levels of certain substances in the blood that may be linked to mesothelioma, such as mesothelin-related peptides that are soluble and fibulin. If a patient has an accumulation of fluid in or around the lung, doctors can remove a fluid sample for testing using a procedure called thoracentesis.
MRI and CT scans can aid doctors detect mesothelioma-related changes in the lungs, such as calcium deposits or thickening of the lining. They can also determine if the cancer has spread, also known as metastasis. The results will determine the kind of treatment recommended by a doctor. In addition to these tests and a person's overall health, doctors also consider the stage of the mesothelioma.
Treatment
There are signs like breathlessness or pain in the chest if have pleural asbestosis, which affects the tissue that line your lungs as well as the chest cavity. These symptoms are caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). Consult your physician when you notice these symptoms.
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because it can take up to 40 years before symptoms show. It is also often diagnosed at a later stage. It is also difficult to know how far the cancer has spread when it is first discovered. Mesothelioma, as a result, is usually treated with palliative care to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the stage, type, and location of the cancer as well as the extent to which it has spread. Your doctor will develop an individual mesothelioma strategy based on the symptoms you are experiencing and your general health.
The treatment plan is likely to include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Based on your personal preference and the stage of cancer, you could decide to have a surgical procedure called pleurectomy or decortication. This procedure removes the thin membrane that protects the lungs and chest cavity, called the pleura. The procedure also removes any visible tumors from the chest wall and lungs.
You may opt to put a chest tube within the body to eliminate any fluid that has accumulated in the chest or lungs. You may also be prescribed medication to reduce the risk of the mesothelioma recurring. Some patients have had gene therapy which inserts new genes into cells to combat mesothelioma as well as other diseases.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists will develop your mesothelioma treatment plan. The team could include your physician (general practitioner), surgeon, pulmonologist, oncologist and chest physician. The radiologists interpret mesothelioma scans as well as other tests. A chest surgeon performs surgery on the chest and lungs. The medical oncologist prescribes chemotherapy and coordinates the radiation treatment. A pulmonologist or thoracic doctor can place a tube into the chest to drain fluids few days a week, if needed.
Prognosis
The prognosis of someone with mesothelioma will depend on a variety of aspects, including how far the cancer has spread and whether it is able to be treated surgically. It will also depend on their general health. However, there are many treatment options available to help people manage their symptoms and live longer. These include surgery and chemotherapy.
The cells that make up the affected organ are used to diagnose mesothelioma. To make a precise diagnosis, doctors must examine a tissue sample under a microscope in order to determine the type of cancerous mesothelial cells present. This is referred to as biopsy. This information can be obtained by a doctor using a pleural sample or chest CT.
The location of the tumor is also crucial for mesothelioma diagnosis. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, and cancer and mesothelioma it is the most common form of this cancer. Other less common types include peritoneal, pericardial and testicular mesothelioma.
It is often difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma because the cells that cause this disease are similar to other lung diseases. This is why it is often mistakenly diagnosed. Patients should be aware of and discuss their symptoms with a specialist in mesothelioma. They can recommend tests to determine if mesothelioma is present or another condition.
A biopsy is the primary method of confirming a mesothelioma. The tumor is removed using a needle or VATS (Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) which is a type of keyhole surgery. The biopsy is examined under magnifying glasses to look for mesothelioma.
Doctors can assess the severity of a mesothelioma by combining various tests. These include CT scans, FDG-positron emissions tomography, mediastinoscopy or EBUS, which is an endoscopic biopsy of thoracic lung. The stage, or size of mesothelioma will also be assessed.
If mesothelioma can't be removed surgically, treatments like palliative care can be used to treat symptoms and prolong life as long as is possible. Therapies for maintenance like immunotherapy and chemotherapy can stop mesothelioma from growing or spreading over a period of months or years. While the median survival rate for mesothelioma is very low but there are notable survivors who have outlived their prognoses. For example, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould survived peritoneal mesothelioma for more than 20 years after being diagnosed with the disease.