Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
Asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer in patients who suffer from mesothelioma, when they cause irritation to the lining inside their chest cavity. Patients who suffer from mesothelioma generally have a history of exposure to asbestos.
A patient should consult an experienced physician if they exhibit symptoms or signs of this disease. Imaging tests like chest X-rays and CT scans can help doctors identify the condition.
Asbestos
Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer of the thin layer that covers most internal organs, known as the mesothelium. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most commonly encountered form of mesothelioma. It is a cancer of the wall (pleura) of the chest. Other forms of mesothelioma can be found in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or in the membrane surrounding the testicles and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other diseases. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed in an advanced stage, which means that the disease is already prevalent.
Symptoms of mesothelioma usually begin several decades after the first exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is initially detected through an accumulation of fluid in the lungs and chest pain. Other symptoms include fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma can be spread to other parts of the body, including the kidneys and liver.
Doctors may diagnose mesothelioma with an X-ray chest, CT scan and a lung function test. They may also perform an in-depth biopsy. The GP may refer the patient to an expert to confirm the diagnosis.
Asbestos was utilized in various construction materials until it was banned in 1999. Some older homes and structures still contain asbestos. It is important to inform your GP about any exposure to asbestos that you have experienced since they can test you for mesothelioma or other cancers.
Mesothelioma is not passed directly from one person to another however, relatives of those who worked with asbestos are at a greater risk of developing the disease due to exposure from secondhand. Workers may bring asbestos home on their clothing, hair or skin, or use tools contaminated with the mineral while at work. Ceramics and barbers were, for instance, at risk of bringing asbestos into their home.
The extent of the cancer's spread is used to classify mesothelioma into stages. Stages 1 and 2 are when the cancer isn't spreading to other tissues, and is most manageable. People diagnosed in the stages 3 and 4 are more likely die from the disease.
Exposure to other chemicals
Asbestos, a class of minerals that have thin microscopic fibers was once a popular building material. It is impervious to fire and chemicals and is not conductive to electricity. The fibers are not large enough to enter the lungs and harm them in time. Mesothelioma usually occurs in the tissue that covers the lung (pleural) or the layers that surround the organs of the stomach (peritoneal). It takes years between exposure and the appearance of symptoms.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma is present, they will perform a physical examination and take your medical history. They will ask you about anything that could increase your chances of developing mesothelioma. This includes asbestos exposure. They will conduct imaging tests like an CT scan or chest X-ray, and a biopsy in order to check for mesothelioma.
The most common treatment for mesothelioma is surgery to remove cancerous tissue. Other treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy. Chemotherapy makes use of specific drugs to kill and shrink cancerous cells. It is delivered in pill form or through an IV. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments.
The machine used in radiation therapy is to emit high-energy radiation beams towards the cancerous cells. It can be utilized at various stages of pleural mesothelioma to reduce pain or kill cancer cells that are left after surgery or chemotherapy. It is not used as often for peritoneal cancers, but can help relieve symptoms or kill any remaining cancerous cells after chemo or surgery.
Targeted therapy is a type of treatment which targets specific proteins or genes that are linked to Mesothelioma. It is a viable treatment option for those who are not responding to standard treatments.
Patients with a mesothelioma diagnoses are invited to participate in a clinical trial of an experimental treatment. The goal of these trials is to discover ways to improve the survival rates for patients with mesothelioma. Patients with mesothelioma should be encouraged to consider participating in clinical trials with their physicians.
Genetics
Certain people are affected by a mutation that increases the risk of developing lung cancer. These mutations may be inherited from a parent or could occur in a person's lifetime. Mutations can also make it more difficult for the body's genes to remove cancer-causing chemicals, or to repair damaged DNA.
The resulting changes to cells could result in the formation of a tumor in the lungs or in other parts of the body. Most often, patients do not be aware of mesothelioma until in an advanced stage of the disease.
A combination of medical tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma. A biopsy is the procedure whereby doctors take some of the tissue or fluid in the area they suspect is cancerous. They will then put this tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. Doctors can also request an X-ray or CT scan to determine whether there is a lump in the chest wall, changes in the lungs, or any other indications of mesothelioma.
These tests can help doctors determine a cure for mesothelioma. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the most common treatments. Certain patients receive an ailment known as the pleural drain. It permits doctors to remove excess fluid from the chest. This can ease symptoms like chest pain and breathing problems.
Palliative treatment is also recommended for those diagnosed with mesothelioma, to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life. This may include medication for other ailments, like lung diseases, and treatment for other problems such as pain and fatigue.
Mesothelioma patients have been in a position to live well beyond expected numbers. Some have had their cancer go into remission, and they have been living for decades or years after being diagnosed.
The mesothelioma survivability rate is not set in stone and is dependent on many variables including the health of the patient as well as age. Although mesothelioma breast cancer for mesothelioma is generally poor, aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and multiple types of surgery can help improve it.
Smoking
Mesothelioma lung cancer is usually linked to exposure to asbestos, which is a group of tiny fibres that were widely used in the construction. Exposure to asbestos is most typically at work, however it can also occur in the home when asbestos-contaminated particles are introduced into. The symptoms of mesothelioma usually don't manifest until the late stages.
If you suspect that you have mesothelioma, speak to your GP. They can refer you to an in-hospital specialist who will conduct a series of tests. These tests will help to diagnose the condition and determine how far it has gotten.
Three different types of treatment are available for mesothelioma. These include surgery, radiation chemotherapy. Your doctor will determine which one to use based on where your mesothelioma is located and what stage it is at.
Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common form of the disease that affects the lining of lungs. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled cause an accumulation of scar tissue, also known as pleural plates. This makes the lining thick and stiff. This stops the lungs from expanding in a healthy manner during breathing, and increases the risk of accumulating fluid. There are three types of the pleural cancer: epithelioid (most frequent) and sarcomatoid (second most frequent) and mixed.
The other main mesothelioma type is mesothelioma peritoneal that affects the lining of the stomach. It is less common than pleural mesothelioma and most people diagnosed with it have a lower survival rate than those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma may be difficult to identify, as the symptoms are very like those of other diseases. The cancer is usually located in the middle of the abdomen where it can be hard to see.
Doctors can determine if peritoneal mesothelioma is present by taking a sample of the tissue using a needle or surgically removing the affected portion. The specimen can be examined under a microscope for mesothelioma. They can also check for indications of the spread of mesothelioma. This includes lymph nodes. It is also possible to use a scan called positron-emission tomography (PET) which is a procedure where tiny amounts of radioactive compound is introduced into the body of a patient after which pictures are taken. The compound is absorbed into tumours, which appear as brighter areas on the images.