Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer MesotheliomaA diagnosis of lung cancer can be often frightening and confusing. The two diseases are distinct, yet they have a common cause: asbestos exposure.Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops on the lining of organs, including diaphragm, lungs and chest cavity. It can also develop in the tissues of the abdomen, heart and testes.SymptomsMesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the organs' linings, such as the lungs, chest wall, abdomen and the heart. It is caused by asbestos exposure. The majority of people with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at a job site, mine, construction yard or shipyard. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until several years after exposure to asbestos and may not show up until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage.The most common occurrence of asbestos exposure is mesothelioma symptoms 10-50 years after the initial exposure. This is because asbestos fibers swallowed or inhaled may remain dormant for decades before the first mesothelioma symptoms show up. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in the later stages, after it has already expanded to tissues and organs.The most commonly reported symptom of mesothelioma is difficulty breathing. The lining of the lungs (pleura) gets thicker or stiffer, and this makes it harder to take in oxygen. The lack of oxygen can cause fatigue. This could be a serious issue as mesothelioma grows.Other mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal or chest pain and a constant cold, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, and nausea. These symptoms may also be triggered by other conditions which is why you should see your physician if you experience any of these symptoms. Discuss with your doctor any asbestos exposure you may have had in the past.Lung cancer asbestos mesothelioma symptoms may vary based on the location and type of mesothelioma. The lining of the lungs is affected by pleural mesothelioma while the lining of the abdomen or tummy (peritoneum) is affected by peritoneal.There are two kinds of epithelioid and sarcomatoid. In general, epithelioid and sarcomatoid mesothelioma forms respond better to treatment.Patients should be aware the possibility that mesothelioma could be a cancer that is fatal. It is crucial to regularly check-up on your health and to inform your doctor if you've ever been exposed asbestos. Your doctor can order tests to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and suggest appropriate treatment.DiagnosisPatients should first consult their doctor to inform them about any asbestos exposure they've had in the past. It is also important to inform their doctor if they're experiencing any symptoms that may be related to mesothelioma, such as breathing problems and bloody coughing, or weight loss.Doctors will conduct a thorough physical examination to determine the severity of their symptoms and whether or not they are associated with mesothelioma. X-rays can reveal lung changes like the thickness of the pleural wall or accumulation of pleural fluid (fluid accumulation) which are common among mesothelioma patients. Doctors will then order other imaging tests, including CT scans and MRIs. These tests help doctors locate the tumors and determine if they've been able to spread.It is essential to obtain an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma in order to receive the most effective possible treatment. Many misdiagnoses have led mesothelioma patients to delay treatment and allow cancer to grow. It is important to get a second opinion, even if the specialist initially believes that the patient's symptoms don't relate to mesothelioma.Mesothelioma, which is a rare type of cancer that affects the mesothelium. This thin membrane line the body's cavities including the chest cavity as well as the abdomen. Three out of four cases of mesothelioma begin in the chest cavity, however it can also occur in the abdominal cavity as well as around the heart.The most common type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma of the pleural region, which affects the lung's lining. The majority of symptoms like chest pain and breathing difficulties occur here. Patients who have mesothelioma of the pleural region were exposed to large amounts of asbestos, mainly in jobs like shipbuilding and construction. This form of mesothelioma generally occurs in people who are who are over 65 and is more prevalent for males than females.Other mesothelioma types include mesothelioma peritoneal, which is affecting the abdomen's lining and pericardial mesothelioma within the heart. These are less common but they do carry an increased risk for those who have had prolonged exposure to asbestos.TreatmentMesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium that covers and protects various internal organs like the lungs, heart and abdomen. There are a variety of mesothelioma. The most frequent being mesothelioma of the pleural region. It is a cancer that occurs in the lining of the lungs (pleura) and, sometimes, the diaphragm, which divides the chest from the abdomen. It may also be found in the stomach's lining and the heart (peritoneal mesothelioma of the peritoneal region).Mesothelioma usually is diagnosed many years after exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that have microscopic fibers that were widely used in construction and building until 1999 and then was banned. Workers could have been exposed to asbestos fibres while at work and then inhaled or swallowed them. They may be found in ceiling tiles, insulation, floor or roof sheets.Asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed by doctors who collect a sample of fluid from the affected area and run tests to determine the presence of cancer cells. They may also be assisted by the results of X-rays and CT scans, which help to locate the tumour. Further tests are able to determine if mesothelioma is spreading through tests like PET scans, which involves injecting a small amount an irradiated compound injected into the body, and then taking photographs of the area. These scans pinpoint the locations of the most active cancerous cells.If the cancer has spread, surgeons are able to often remove it from the affected area of the lungs as well as surrounding tissues. lung cancer mesothelioma isn't guaranteed to cure the disease, but it can aid in relieving symptoms and prolonging the life span.If the mesothelioma can't be resectable, treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and reducing the progression of the disease. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Doctors can combine these treatments by giving chemo either before or after surgery, or using radiotherapy in conjunction with a surgical procedure known as pleurectomy. Participating in a clinical trial of a brand new treatment currently being evaluated might also be an option.PrognosisThe prognosis of asbestos mesothelioma, a lung cancer, is based on the nature and location of the tumor, as well as the patient's medical history and age. Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue lining many internal organs, mostly the lung (pleural mesothelioma), but it can also be found in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or testicles (malignant mesothelioma of peritoneal origin). Mesothelioma as well as lung cancer share several symptoms, including shortness of breath as well as coughing, chest pain fatigue and weight loss. But, mesothelioma's primary cause is caused by exposure to asbestos.It can be difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma since the initial signs such as chest pain, fatigue, and breathing difficulties, are like other conditions. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, that can develop many years after asbestos exposure. It requires specialized testing to identify.Doctors may combine X-rays with CT scans and fluid samples to identify the tumor. They can also determine whether the tumor has mutated. Based on the type of mesothelioma, biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis looking at the cells under microscope.Scientists have created a blood test known as the Mesomark assay that can be used to measure the release of a chemical by mesothelioma cells. It is believed that it will help diagnose the disease at an earlier stage. This could lead patients to more effective treatment.If mesothelioma has been diagnosed and treated, doctors can choose from a variety of methods to shrink the size of the tumor as well as ease pain and other symptoms. These include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.In some cases the tumor may be removed surgically, but in a majority of cases mesothelioma is not curable and the goal of treatment is to manage the symptoms and prolong the life span as long as is possible.The most common type of mesothelioma - mesothelioma with pleural lining - is the most difficult to treat and has a worse prognosis. You can determine your mesothelioma-related risk by visiting a specialist at an accredited center and discussing your personal history of asbestos exposure.