Mesothelioma Lung CancerMesothelioma lung cancer is a result of asbestos fibers irritate the lining of a patient's chest cavity. People who develop mesothelioma generally have prior exposure to asbestos.A patient should consult a doctor if they experience symptoms or signs of this disease. Doctors can use imaging tests like chest Xrays, CT scans and MRI scans to help diagnose the condition.AsbestosThe mesothelioma-related cancer affects the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of internal organs. This is referred to as the Mesothelium. Exposure to asbestos is the most frequent cause. The most frequent mesothelioma type, the pleural mesothelioma, is a cancer that develops the lining of the chest (pleura). Other mesothelioma types could develop in the lining around the testicles or heart the abdomen's lining (peritoneal pleural mesothelioma), or the lining inside the abdomen.The mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. This is why mesothelioma can be diagnosed only in advanced stages, when the disease has already spread. lung cancer mesothelioma of mesothelioma begin several decades after exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is initially detected through swelling of the lungs and chest pain. Other symptoms include fatigue, and weight loss. Mesothelioma can be spread to other parts of the body, such as the kidneys and the liver.Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma using an X-ray of the chest, CT scan and a lung function test. They can also conduct biopsy. The GP may refer the patient to an expert to confirm the diagnosis.Asbestos was a part of various construction materials until it was banned in 1999. It is still present in some older homes and buildings. It is essential to inform your GP about any exposure to asbestos you have had since they can test you for mesothelioma or other cancers.Secondhand exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of mesothelioma. Workers may bring asbestos home on their clothes or hair, or they may employ tools that are contaminated by the mineral while at work. Barbers and ceramics workers were, for instance, at risk of bringing asbestos home.The extent of cancer's spread is used to classify mesothelioma. Stages 1 and 2, when the cancer is in its early stages and has not spread to other tissues, are the most curable. People diagnosed in the stages 3 or 4 are more likely to die of the disease.Exposure to other chemicalsAsbestos, which is a group of minerals with thin microscopic fibers was once a popular building material. It is resistant to chemical and fire and is not able to conduct electrical current. The fibers are not large enough to enter the lungs and damage them over time. Mesothelioma typically occurs in the tissue that surrounds the lung (pleural) or in the layers that protect the organs of the stomach (peritoneal). Between exposure and symptom onset it can take several years.If a doctor suspects that mesothelioma is present, they will conduct an examination and review your medical history. They will inquire about any potential factors that may have increased the risk of mesothelioma, especially asbestos exposure. They will run imaging tests such as the CT scan or chest X-ray and a biopsy to check for mesothelioma.Removal of cancerous tissues is the most commonly used treatment. Other treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Chemotherapy is a treatment which makes use of special drugs to reduce and kill cancerous cells. It can be given in the form of a pill or an IV. It can be used by itself or in combination with other treatments.Radiation therapy is a procedure that utilizes a machine that sends high-energy beams at cancerous cells. It is used to alleviate the pain of different stages of pleural cancer or to kill cancerous cells that remain after surgery or chemotherapy. It is used less often for peritoneal cancer, however it can ease symptoms or kill any remaining cancerous cells after surgery or chemo.Targeted therapy is one type of treatment that targets specific proteins or genes that are linked to mesothelioma. It's a viable alternative for patients who are not responding to standard therapies.Patients with a mesothelioma diagnosis have been offered participation in a clinical trial of an experimental treatment. These trials are designed to find ways to increase the survival rate of mesothelioma patients. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma should consult their physicians about participating in a trial.GeneticsCertain individuals have a genetic mutation that increases their chance of developing lung cancer. These mutations can be passed on from a parent or they may occur during a person's lifetime. Mutations can make it harder for the body's genes to eliminate of cancer-causing chemicals or repair damaged DNA.The resulting changes to cells could cause a tumor to form in the lungs or in other parts of the body. Most often, patients do not know they have mesothelioma until they are already in a more advanced stage of the disease.A combination of medical tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma. A biopsy is the procedure whereby doctors remove a small amount of tissue or fluid in the area they suspect is cancerous. They then place this tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. Doctors may also recommend an X-ray or CT scan to determine whether there is a lump on the chest wall or lungs, or changes in the lungs or other indications of mesothelioma.These tests can help doctors discover a cure for mesothelioma. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the most commonly used treatments. Some patients are prescribed an ailment known as a pleural drain, which permits doctors to remove excess fluid from the chest. This can alleviate symptoms like chest pain and difficulty breathing.People with a mesothelioma diagnosis should also be treated with palliative care to ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. This may include medication to treat other ailments like lung diseases, as well as treatment for other issues like fatigue and pain.Mesothelioma patients have lived longer than they expected. Some have even seen their cancer go into the remission stage, and have been living for years or decades after diagnosis.The mesothelioma rate of survival is not set in stone and depends on many variables like the patient's general health and age. Although the prognosis for mesothelioma is generally poor but aggressive treatments like radiation, chemotherapy and various kinds of surgery can improve it.SmokingAsbestos, a grouping of tiny fibres used widely in construction, is almost always associated with mesothelioma. The exposure is usually at the workplace, however mesothelioma may also develop at home if contaminated dust is ingested into. The disease takes some time to manifest with symptoms typically not starting until the late stages.If you suspect that you have mesothelioma, talk to your GP. They can refer to a hospital specialist who will run some tests. These tests can help identify the condition and determine how far it has spread.There are three types of mesothelioma treatment. They include radiation, surgery chemotherapy. Your doctors will decide which type to use depending on where your mesothelioma is located and the stage it's at.Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of the disease, that affects the lining of lung. It is caused by asbestos fibers inhalation causes an accumulation of scar tissue known as plaques pleural, which make the lining stiff and thick. This causes the lung to not expand properly when breathing, thereby increasing the chance of accumulating fluid. There are three main types of pleural mesothelioma: epithelioid, sarcomatoid and mixed.The other major type of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining around the stomach. It is less prevalent than the pleural type of mesothelioma, and has a lower rate of survival.Peritoneal mesothelioma can be hard to recognize, since the symptoms are like those of other conditions. This is because the majority of cancers occur in the middle of the abdomen, which is where it is difficult to identify.Doctors can detect mesothelioma peritoneal by taking a tissue sample using a needle or surgically removing a part of the affected area. They can then examine the sample under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cells. They may also look for indications of mesothelioma spreading, such as in the lymph nodes. It is also possible to use the scan known as positron-emission tomography (PET), in which a small amount radioactive compound is injected into the patient's body, and then photographs are taken. The substance is absorbed by tumours and is visible as brighter areas on images.