Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Mesothelioma and lung cancer are two diseases caused by asbestos exposure. They have similar symptoms, which is why people are often mistakenly diagnosed with either. Mesothelioma develops in the layers of tissue surrounding organs in the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs, however it can also affect the lining of your stomach, heart or testicles. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is found in the mesothelium a thin membrane that protects and covers certain organs. It can form in the lining of the lungs and abdomen as well as in the heart. It is often linked to asbestos exposure. There are various mesothelioma types and the type of mesothelioma may affect the prognosis. The majority of patients who develop mesothelioma have mesothelioma of the pleural region which affects the lung lining and chest cavity. However, it can occur in the lining of the heart, or the peritoneum. Mesothelioma symptoms resemble the symptoms of other diseases and are often mistaken for other conditions like asthma. The most frequent symptoms include shortness of breath and chest pain, fatigue, and difficulty swallowing. Doctors can diagnose Mesothelioma following conducting a thorough examination of a patient and reviewing their medical history. They can decide to order a CT or MRI to check for lung changes such as thickening the lining of lungs and a buildup of fluid between lungs (called Pleural effusion). A doctor might also request a biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis. The results of these tests can help doctors to determine the most effective treatment plan. Certain patients are diagnosed as having pleural melanoma, whereas others could have different types of mesothelioma. The most prevalent mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. The epithelioid variant is responsible for around 70% of mesothelioma cases and is easier to treat. The sarcomatoid form is more aggressive and harder to treat. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they may ask the patient to undergo Thoracentesis procedure, which involves taking the chest fluid. mesothelioma from asbestos exposure will allow doctors to evaluate the mesothelioma to determine whether it has spread to other areas. Doctors can also conduct an sputum test to look for respiratory infections. They can also request blood tests to determine the levels of proteins that are elevated in mesothelioma patients. These include fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. Diagnosis Many of the symptoms of mesothelioma mimic the symptoms of lung cancer, making it difficult to determine. Doctors typically begin by conducting a physical exam and review a patient's medical history to determine whether asbestos exposure is present. They may also recommend imaging tests to look for asbestos-related changes in the lungs like pleural thickness or fluid accumulation between the lungs' and chest wall. Chest X-rays as well as CT scans are commonly used to determine the presence of these changes. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan can aid doctors in determining the site of tumors or other abnormalities. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by testing tissue samples or fluids for cancer cells. A biopsy is required in a majority of cases to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A needle can be used by doctors to take a pleural biopsy or abdominal biopsy. The needle is placed into the area in which the tumors or fluid are. They can also use VATS, an minimally invasive procedure that utilizes video-assisted thoracoscopic methods to remove a small part of the pleura or abdominal tissue for testing. Mesothelioma can also b diagnosed by examining blood samples to detect the presence of certain substances that are known to be linked to the disease, like fibrin, soluble mesothelin-related peptides and metalloproteinases. These tests can aid in determining the extent of cancer's spread in the body. Because mesothelioma can develop in the lung lining, diaphragm and chest cavity as well as the peritoneum that lines the abdomen and the lining of the heart, doctors will look for other symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma. For instance mesothelioma of the peritoneal region can cause abdominal pain and swelling, while pericardial mesothelioma causes unique symptoms like chest pain, heart palpitations and murmurs. The majority of mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in an advanced stage. It is difficult to treat cancer at this stage, however, doctors can alleviate some symptoms. This includes draining excess fluid from the lungs, administering powerful painkillers and observing the cancer for symptoms like breathing difficulties or swelling in other parts of the body. Check out our free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide to learn how timely treatment has helped other patients to live long after receiving their diagnosis. Treatment Both lung cancer and mesothelioma have some similarities, but are two different diseases. Lung cancer is a common occurrence in the lungs, while mesothelioma forms in the mesothelium, which is a double layer of tissue surrounding the chest cavity, lungs the heart, abdomen, and chest cavity. Mesothelium cells can transform into benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancer) mesothelioma. The type of mesothelioma may influence the symptoms and treatment options. The two most commonly used mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Asbestos is a frequent cause of lung diseases, like mesothelioma and asbestosis. People who are affected experience a lengthy latency period, which means it could take years before symptoms appear. This can make obtaining an accurate diagnosis and getting the right treatment difficult. To determine if mesothelioma is present doctors will employ blood tests, imaging scans and biopsy samples to compare the cancerous cells to normal ones. They can also check the lymph nodes for signs of mesothelioma spreading. Mesothelioma cells appear like healthy mesothelium cells, making it hard for doctors to determine. To make a more precise diagnosis, patients should receive a second or third opinion. Imaging tests such as x-rays or CT scans aid in the detection of mesothelioma. If the mesothelioma has spread to the tissue of your chest cavity, you may need more detailed scans. These include PET, positron emission (PET) as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and mediastinoscopy. This allows doctors to look at and sample lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest. If the surgeon believes that a patient has mesothelioma, they can begin with surgery. This could include a pleurectomy or a decortication, which eliminates the pleura affected and prevents the accumulation of fluid. Mesothelioma spreads diffusely through the mesothelium. It is, therefore, more difficult to eradicate as compared to lung cancer, which creates large masses that have clearly defined boundaries. If a surgeon discovers that a patient's mesothelioma cannot be removed with surgery, the next step is palliative treatment. These treatments aim to control symptoms and relieve discomfort. They could include thoracentesis/paracentesis and pleurodesis, which involve using chemicals or drugs to make the lung lining scar and stick to the lung, stopping fluid buildup. Prognosis Mesothelioma as well as lung cancer share several symptoms that are overlapping, including chest pain, coughing and fatigue. Because of this, mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as lung cancer. The correct diagnosis is vital to the success of mesothelioma treatments. To improve the chances of survival for mesothelioma patients, patients should get an accurate diagnosis and seek a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist. Asbestos patients who visit an ophthalmologist should be able to disclose their history of exposure to asbestos. This can aid doctors in understanding mesothelioma and lung cancer and make a more accurate diagnosis. It could also aid doctors design the most effective mesothelioma-treatment plan. The prognosis of mesothelioma varies on the stage, type, and whether it has spread (metastasis) to other parts of your body. A biopsy is performed to determine the type of mesothelioma a patient has. Exposure to asbestos, for instance can cause pleural melanoma to form in the lining that lines the lung. The two most frequent types are epithelioid, and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma has a superior prognosis than mesothelioma with sarcomatoid. Mesothelioma and lung cancer have a long latency period which makes it difficult for doctors to identify the diseases in their early stages. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, can mimic the symptoms of lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a condition that has a poor prognosis because of this. The prognosis of a patient diagnosed with mesothelioma is also influenced by their age, stage of cancer and general health. The outlook for younger mesothelioma patients is higher than that of older patients. This is because younger people are healthier and more likely to qualify for clinical trials and treatments. The mesothelioma stage of a patient is also vital, since the stage determines which treatments are most effective for their particular condition. Treatment options for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. The more aggressive the treatment is and the more favorable the outcome for mesothelioma. The most commonly used treatments for mesothelioma comprise removing the affected lung, undergoing a procedure to stop accumulation of fluid in the lungs through creating the lining of the lung scar appear and adhere to the inside of the chest wall (pleurodesis) or removing the excess fluid through a tube placed in the chest (extraperitoneal mesothelioma). Mesothelioma patients may benefit from other treatments as well.
mesothelioma from asbestos exposure
