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Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

It is a rare form of cancer that affects mesothelium which is the thin layer that covers most organs. It can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and in a few cases, other locations including the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) testicles, the heart or abdomen.

Mesothelioma and lung cancer are not the same condition, but people often mistakenly believe that they are. Doctors can make the right diagnosis by using a variety of tests.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is found in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds a number organs. It is most common in the linings of the lungs (pleura), but it can also occur in the abdominal lining, heart, or testicles. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. It can take 10-40 years from the point of exposure for mesothelioma to appear. It is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Early signs include breathing problems, chest pain and dry cough.

These symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses, like pneumonia or influenza. Diagnostic tests and biopsy are only used to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma after the cancer has been spread.

A biopsy is a tiny mesothelial cell which are examined using a microscope. There are two primary types of mesothelioma epithelioid cells and sarcomatoid cells. Epithelioid cell types tend to grow slower and respond better to treatment than sarcomatoid cell and therefore have a better prognosis. A mesothelioma containing both types of cells is less common and has a poorer prognosis.

If the mesothelioma has reached stage 1 or 2, it hasn't spread very far and surgery may be feasible. In these stages, the focus is on managing symptoms, not curing cancer.

The signs of this stage are difficulty breathing due to the fluid build up in the lungs. This can trigger chest pain and coughing. It can be painful to eat and drink. X-rays and CT scans can help your doctor locate the fluid in your lungs. VATS, which is a type of keyhole surgery, is a way to take a pleural sample. A CT scan can be used to help guide a biopsy.

In the stage 3 mesothelioma the tumors have begun to spread out beyond the lungs and lymph nodes. It is possible that mesothelioma has reached the pericardium sac that surrounds the heart. Pleurodesis is a procedure that can be used to stop fluid from building up in your lungs again. It's also sometimes possible to flush the lungs of fluid through an indwelling catheter that you can remove at home following your doctor's instructions.

Diagnosis

The symptoms of mesothelioma and lung cancer are similar, which makes it difficult to differentiate between them. It is not uncommon for doctors to misdiagnose or confuse the two diseases. However, it's important to obtain a diagnosis that is as accurate as you can, because the right treatment can make all the difference in a patient's prognosis.

Doctors examine patients and collect their medical history to determine mesothelioma. They can also inquire about the person's prior exposure to asbestos and what types of symptoms they're experiencing. Patients should provide as much information as they can regarding their asbestos exposure to help doctors diagnose the condition earlier.

Doctors use a variety of tests to determine if a patient is suffering from lung cancer or mesothelioma. These tests can include an chest CT scan, blood test, an X-ray and a biopsy. With the CT scan, doctors can see how the pleura -- the tissue that lines the diaphragm and lungs- looks. This can be helpful in finding out if the lining of the lung is becoming thicker or if there is a build-up of fluid in the chest cavity. These are both mesothelioma-related signs.





In addition to these tests, doctors can test a person's blood for specific enzymes that are higher in mesothelioma patients, and less so in patients with lung cancer. These enzymes suggest that cancer cells are multiplying rapidly. They can also look at the lungs of an individual to see if there are tumor-like nodules that line the lungs. This is a different mesothelioma symptom.

Metastasis, which is also known as the spread of cancer to different parts of the body, is a common way that mesothelioma or lung cancer can be identified. To determine if the cancer has spread, oncologists use different methods which include the use of a PET scan.

Doctors will assess the appearance of cancerous cells with microscopes, in addition to symptoms and test results. They can look at the shape of the cells and how tightly they clump together. Mesothelioma tumors aren't well defined and don't have distinct borders, whereas lung cancers are more noticeable. Doctors will take into consideration how far the mesothelioma has been able to spread and the stage it is at when making a decision on a treatment strategy.

Treatment

Mesothelioma patients often receive a mix of surgery and chemotherapy. These treatments are designed to prolong the life of patients and control the progression of cancer. Unfortunately, mesothelioma can be an incurable illness. Despite this, treatment options can improve the prognosis of patients.

The type of mesothelioma as well as the location of the tumor determine the classification. Pleural mesothelioma is found in the lining around the lungs. Patients diagnosed with this type of the disease have a better prognosis than those who develop peritoneal mesothelioma in the abdomen or other less common forms of mesothelioma.

In the course of diagnosing doctors look over the history of a patient's medical ailments and conduct an examination. They also perform tests to identify any abnormalities. Doctors may recommend X-rays CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify any abnormalities in the body. They may also suggest the use of a biopsy to confirm mesothelioma as a diagnosis.

A biopsy is a procedure that uses a needle and a small piece of tissue that is analyzed under a microscope. It's the only method to identify mesothelioma. However, the symptoms of this type of cancer are similar to other illnesses like pneumonia and the flu So mesothelioma can be incorrectly diagnosed.

If the lining of the lung is affected, doctors could recommend a procedure called pleurodesis, which can reduce the breathlessness due to the buildup of fluid in the lungs. During this procedure, a doctor pumps a special medication into the chest cavity with a tube called a bronchoscope. The medication is able to seal the lining of the lungs by preventing the buildup of fluid and improving the breathing.

In some instances doctors may also suggest chemotherapy or radiation. Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic chemicals to kill cancerous cells as well as slowing the growth of new cells. Additionally, it can lower the likelihood of mesothelioma returning after surgery. Neoadjuvant therapy is a method of administering chemotherapy prior to surgery in order to reduce the size of mesothelioma cancerous cells. They may also use adjuvant chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancerous cells after surgery and reduce the chance of their spreading. For mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, doctors may opt to use hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy (HIPEC) which involves injecting heated chemotherapy into the abdomen during surgery.

Prognosis

The prognosis of mesothelioma is dependent on the kind and location of the cancer as well as the stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis, and the general health of the patient. Patients who are younger, generally in better health and non-smokers have a better prognosis.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed by the type of cells in the affected area and the location of the tumor. is mesothelioma a lung cancer will also determine the stage of mesothelioma. This indicates the extent to which cancer has spread or metastasized.

Stage 1 mesothelioma is characterized by localized tumors that are located in one layer of the pleura. The most typical symptoms of this stage are chest pain and shortness of breath. This stage of mesothelioma can be treated through surgery or other treatments.

Asbestos patients who have mesothelioma with a higher degree of progression in the abdomen, pleura, or lung might experience more severe symptoms than those suffering from early-stage disease. The tumors are more likely not to have spread into other body parts like the abdominal cavity and heart.

Doctors can suggest treatments like radiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy based on the stage of mesothelioma. This could improve the chances of survival. These options can help people with mesothelioma live longer, even if the disease is in remission.

Patients with mesothelioma should speak to their doctor about any unusual symptoms or signs even if they do not think it is mesothelioma. A doctor can evaluate symptoms and determine if they're caused by asbestos exposure. These symptoms can be used to help prevent mesothelioma, asbestosis and other illnesses.