Lung Cancer Asbestos Mesothelioma

Cancer caused by asbestos exposure can affect the lungs, abdomen and the heart. Mesothelioma is found in the lining around these organs.

The symptoms of mesothelioma be seen over 10 to 50 years and look similar to those of less serious illnesses. This makes it difficult to diagnose.

Doctors diagnose lung cancer by looking at the kind of cancer and the cell structure. Cancer is classified into two types which are small cell cancer and non-small cells.

Symptoms

Lung cancer asbestos mesothelioma is found in the linings that protect internal organs, referred to as the mesothelium. It is a tumor that may form in the linings around the heart, abdomen, and testicles. It can take a long time from initial exposure to beginning to show symptoms. Asbestos is a variety of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibers. These fibers can be swallowed, inhaled and adhere to organ linings. Asbestos is most commonly encountered by workers who works in an industry in which it is used as an insulation or building material. Construction workers, asbestos miners, welders, shipyard workers and automotive workers are at high risk of developing mesothelioma. Veterans exposed to asbestos during the military are also at risk of the disease.

To be able to diagnose mesothelioma you must first set up an appointment with your physician. During this visit doctors will ask patients about any symptoms they are experiencing. They will also review the medical records of the patient to determine if they have any medical conditions that increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma.

If mesothelioma is suspected, doctors can order chest X-rays and CT scans to find any abnormalities. X-rays may reveal calcium deposits in the lungs, as well as thickening of the lung lining fluid in the space between the lungs and chest wall. A CT scan is a more sophisticated device that takes a variety of X-rays, and blends them to create images of the inside of the body. It can reveal changes in the structure, the lungs or abdomen, and aid in locating the tumor.

A CT scan will also detect mesothelioma signs on the peritoneum or chest cavity the lining. It can also determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

A biopsy is taken to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the stage of mesothelioma. In certain instances the lung biopsy can be performed by VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery). This involves inserting a tube containing cameras into the chest. The chest cavity is injected with sterile talcum to cause inflammation, which reduces the size of the cavity and allows doctors to collect samples.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of mesothelioma is based on the symptoms, medical history and laboratory tests. Doctors evaluate cancer cells elsewhere in the body to asbestos law-related cells found in tissue or fluid samples. If mesothelioma is spreading to the lungs, doctors will examine the area using CT scans or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET).

Doctors detect pleural mesothelioma through taking a sample from the lungs, or from other areas of the chest wall where mesothelioma is spreading. They also take a tissue biopsy to check for mesothelioma or other cancerous cells. A doctor may also order blood tests to determine if a person has elevated levels of certain chemicals that could be indicative of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma and lung cancer are alike in many ways, however mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the lungs, whereas lung cancer is a disease that affects the lung. This difference means that symptoms and signs of mesothelioma could be misinterpreted as signs of other diseases such as the flu or pneumonia. In addition, mesothelioma can take 10 - 50 years to manifest symptoms, so patients should report any unusual symptoms to their doctor.

A mesothelioma specialist can help patients determine if their symptoms are linked to asbestos lawsuit exposure. They can also talk about the symptoms of patients and recommend the type of testing or procedure they should undergo. They can assist patients to find a specialist in mesothelioma to assist in diagnosing the disease.

Researchers are developing new methods to differentiate mesothelioma from other diseases. For example they can determine asbestos-related proteins, or determine the levels of hyaluronic acids within the joints and eyes. These tests could be used in identifying the type of mesothelioma and predicting the way it will react.

It is crucial to report any unusual symptoms to a physician particularly when they are related to mesothelioma or lung cancer. Patients with a history asbestos litigation exposure should see their physician regularly for medical examinations. This can help them get an early diagnosis of mesothelioma and increase their chances of receiving treatment that will extend their lives. To get started, contact the Mesothelioma Hope team today to talk to a knowledgeable Patient Advocate.

Treatment

The kind of lung cancer mesothelioma the patient has determines the treatment options available to them. Patients should discuss treatment options with their doctor. Many patients opt for active treatment, which could include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, in order to improve their odds of survival. Doctors can also treat mesothelioma by using immunotherapy. This is a new treatment that utilizes targeted drugs to target specific cells in the body.

Lung cancer asbestos mesothelioma could manifest with a variety of symptoms which makes it difficult to identify. The symptoms may be similar to other respiratory ailments and heart disease. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's essential to speak with your doctor right away.

A doctor can determine if a patient has mesothelioma through a biopsy. The doctor will inject a needle into the skin or cut an incision in the chest or abdomen to remove a small portion of tissue. The tissue will be examined under a microscope to determine whether the tissue is mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is divided into epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid Mesothelioma is more aggressive than sarcomatoid but has a better chance of survival. A thoracoscopic biopsy with direct examination of the pleural nodules can increase diagnostic accuracy by as much as 25%.

Both mesothelioma and cancer, are cancers. However, they are not the same. Lung cancer develops inside the lungs, while mesothelioma occurs in the lining of organs, such as the lungs, heart and abdomen. Exposure to asbestos can cause both cancers.

Asbestos workers who recently been diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma should consider taking part in clinical trials to test new treatments. This could lead to better outcomes and a longer duration of symptom-free living. It is important for patients to discuss their goals and wishes with their doctors. Some patients may choose to endure side effects in the hope of a better prognosis while others prefer to remain content for as long as is possible. These decisions should be taken in conjunction with the health care team.

Prognosis

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, develops in the mesothelium. This is a thin membrane which covers and protects organs like the lung. It is often caused by asbestos exposure and takes between 10 and 50 years for symptoms to manifest.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma involves obtaining a patient's health history, which includes details about exposure to asbestos case. Doctors will also take an X-ray of the chest as well as an CT scan of the lung region. These tests may show changes in the lung's lining, such as abnormal thickening or calcium deposits. They may also assist doctors search for the presence of fluid in the pleural space, or the space between the lungs and the chest wall.

A doctor will also take tissue from the lungs and test it for mesothelioma. This is done by a procedure known as thoracentesis. A physician can perform this in a hospital, outpatient clinic or at home. A mesothelioma expert examines the sample.

Doctors may also request blood tests in order to determine if there are high levels of mesothelioma that could indicate it. They might also require to examine the lining of the lungs and this is accomplished through an operation called video-assisted surgery (VAT).

Asbestos patients should be aware that it is possible for mesothelioma be found in different parts of the body that are not the lungs. For instance, mesothelioma could affect the abdominal lining and the testicles, as well. Mesothelioma also can form in the tissue lining the heart sac, which is known as pericardial mesothelioma.

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since it is less common than lung cancer, and can be misinterpreted as less serious diseases like the flu or pneumonia. The disease can grow quickly and is difficult for doctors to treat.

Mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, can enhance the prognosis of patients. Mesothelioma prognoses do not have to be fixed in stone, however, and people diagnosed with mesothelioma tend to live longer than they expected.