What is Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?The pleura tissue is the lung's cover and defines the chest cavity, is the location of mesothelioma lung carcinoma. This rare disease can also affect the abdomen's lining (peritoneum) and the heart, as well as the testicles.Doctors utilize X rays and CT scans to identify mesothelioma. They can also request biopsies to collect fluid or tissues for analysis.SymptomsThe first sign of mesothelioma may be chest pain or breathlessness. These symptoms are similar to many cases of pneumonia or influenza, as well as bronchitis. It is essential that anyone experiencing these symptoms see their doctor. The earlier cancer is identified the more easy it will be treated.Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed using chest X-rays or a computerized tomography (CT) scan, which shows an increase in the thickness of the pleura or calcium deposits on the lung lining. The scan will reveal if fluid is accumulating in the space surrounding the lung. A doctor can drain this fluid, called the pleural effusion. This can help alleviate chest pain and breathing difficulties.A doctor can also take small amounts of tissue or fluid from the region in which the mesothelioma has been discovered to determine if mesothelioma cells are present. The samples are analyzed by a laboratory to confirm a mesothelioma diagnose. Mesothelioma is more likely to develop in the lung's lining than any other part of the body, however it may also manifest within the membrane around the heart or reproductive organs.If a doctor has confirmed mesothelioma as a diagnosis the next step will be to decide on the treatment plan. Treatment options differ based on the stage and the type of mesothelioma.Mesothelioma treatment usually includes chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. The goal of these treatments is to improve the patient's quality of life, relieve symptoms and prolong survival.If someone is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma the doctor will likely attempt to eliminate the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, or pleura, with the goal of easing chest pain. This procedure, also known as pleurodesis, involves use of a chemical or drug to scare the lining of the lung. It stops it from filling up with fluid. This procedure is used only for symptom relief and not as an option for a cure.The doctors will also discuss palliative treatment with the patient, which aids to reduce discomfort and other signs like weight loss, fatigue and weight loss. Patients will be advised to drink plenty of fluids and consume healthy foods. They may also suggest exercises and relaxation techniques to ease stress.DiagnosisImaging tests are used to pinpoint the affected area since pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of lungs. These tests will identify the location and size of any tumors as well as any accumulation of fluid in the lungs, around them or in the abdomen.If doctors suspect a person might have mesothelioma they will ask them about their history of exposure to asbestos and any signs they are experiencing. The patient could also be subjected to a physical exam.Mesothelioma isn't easy to detect. The early symptoms, such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a dry, cough are similar to those experienced by many other illnesses. Mesothelioma is often mistakenly diagnosed as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. Therefore, it could take up to 20 years for mesothelioma to be diagnosed.In order to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, doctors will perform a biopsy of the affected area. This is accomplished by inserting an needle into the affected region and extracting the tissue that is then examined under a microscope. Doctors can conduct a core biopsy under CT guidance or VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) which is a type of keyhole surgery.Tests on fluid samples and blood can also be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests look for high levels in the blood of substances that are associated mesothelioma. This includes soluble mesothelin related peptides and Fibulin-3. A thoracentesis procedure is performed to remove fluid from the lungs, or fluid that has built up around them.MRI and CT scans can allow doctors detect mesothelioma-related changes in the lungs, like calcium deposits or thickening of the lining. They can also tell if the cancer has spread, also known as metastasis. These results will impact the kind of treatment the doctor recommends. In addition to these tests and the person's general health, doctors will take into account the stage of mesothelioma.TreatmentYou may experience symptoms like breathlessness or pain in the chest if you suffer from pleural asbestosis, which affects tissue that lines your lungs and chest cavity. These symptoms are caused due to the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion) in the lungs. If you are experiencing these symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as you can.Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because it can take up to 40 years before symptoms begin to manifest. It is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. When the cancer is first detected it can be difficult to determine just how far it has been able to spread. As a result, mesothelioma treatment is often at a palliative level to control the symptoms and improve quality of life.Treatment options for mesothelioma depend on the nature, location and stage of the tumor, as well as the extent to which it has spread. Your doctor will develop a mesothelioma treatment strategy that is unique to you based on your symptoms and general health.This plan will likely include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. You can choose to undergo a pleurectomy, or a decortication based on your preferences and the stage of cancer. This procedure removes the thin membrane that protects the chest cavity and lungs and is known as the pleura. It also removes any visible tumors from the lungs and chest wall.You can opt to have a tube placed inside your chest to eliminate the accumulated fluid from the lungs and chest. You may also be prescribed medications to decrease the chance of mesothelioma recurring. Certain patients have undergone gene therapy that inserts new genetic material into cells to fight mesothelioma and other diseases.The mesothelioma treatment plan you choose to follow will be created by a multidisciplinary team. The team could include your doctor (general practitioner) as well as surgeon, pulmonologist, oncologist and a chest physician. The radiologists interpret mesothelioma scans as well as other tests. A chest surgeon performs surgery on the chest and lungs. The medical oncologist prescribes chemotherapy and coordinates radiation treatments. A pulmonologist or surgeon for the thoracic area can insert an incision in the chest to drain fluids a few times a week if necessary. mesothelioma lung transplant will be determined by a variety of factors, including how much the cancer has spread, whether it can be treated surgically and their general health. There are many treatment options that can help to manage symptoms and extend life expectancy. These include surgery and chemotherapy.Mesothelioma is diagnosed based on the cells that compose the lining of the organ. To make an accurate diagnosis, doctors look at a tissue specimen under a microscope to identify the type cancerous mesothelial tissue present. This is referred to as biopsy. Doctors can make use of the pleural fluid sample or a chest CT scan to obtain the information.The location of the cancer is also essential to determine if mesothelioma is a diagnosed. The most common mesothelioma type is called pleural, and it is formed in the lining lining the lung. Other less well-known kinds include pericardial, peritoneal and testicular mesothelioma.It is often difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma since the cells that cause the disease are similar to other lung diseases. It is, therefore, often incorrectly diagnosed. Patients must be aware and discuss their symptoms with a specialist for mesothelioma. They can then recommend tests to determine if a patient suffers from mesothelioma or another condition.A biopsy is usually the most reliable method to confirm mesothelioma. The tumor is removed by a needle, or VATS (Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery), a type keyhole surgery. The biopsy is examined under a magnifying glass to check for mesothelioma.Doctors can determine the severity of mesothelioma through combining various tests. These include CT scans, FDG-positron emissions tomography, mediastinoscopy, or EBUS, which is an endoscopic biopsy of the thoracic lung. The stage, or extent, of the mesothelioma will also be assessed.If mesothelioma can't be removed surgically, treatments such as palliative care can be used to control symptoms and prolong life as long as it is possible. Different maintenance therapies, such as immunotherapy and chemotherapy can stop mesothelioma from spreading or growing for a period of months or even years. Although the median survival rate for mesothelioma is limited but there are notable survivors who have lived beyond their prognoses. Stephen Jay Gould, a paleontologist, survived peritoneal msothelioma for more than 20 years after his diagnosis.