Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer that affects mesothelium or thin layer of tissue that covers the majority internal organs. It can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) and in rare cases other places, including the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), heart or testicles.
People often make the mistake of thinking that lung cancer and mesothelioma is the same illness. Several tests can help doctors make the right diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms
The mesothelioma-related cancer develops in a thin layer of tissue that surrounds the internal organs of many of you. It usually affects the lung's lining (pleura) but it can also happen in the lining of your abdomen or heart (peritoneum) and, more often in the testicles. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. It may take between 10 and 40 years from the time of exposure for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest. It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. The first signs are breathlessness, chest pain and a dry cough.
These symptoms could be mistaken for other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. It's only when the cancer has gotten worse that doctors can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by using imaging tests and a biopsy.
A biopsy is a small piece of mesothelial tissues that is examined under a microscope. There are two types of mesothelioma: epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid cell types tend to shrink more slowly and respond better to treatment than sarcomatoid ones which is why they have a better prognosis. A mixed mesothelioma, combining both types of cells, is less common and has a less favorable prognosis.
Surgery is still possible in cases where the cancer is in stage 1 or 2. However, in these stages, treatment focuses on reducing symptoms rather than treating the cancer.
The symptoms in this stage include difficulty breathing due to fluid buildup in the lungs. This can trigger chest pain and coughing. It can also make it painful to eat or drink. X-rays or CT scans will help your doctor identify the lung fluid. In certain instances, a pleural fluid sample could be obtained using VATS which is a type of keyhole surgery. Or the procedure can be carried out using a needle guided by the aid of a CT scan.
In the stage 3 mesothelioma the tumors have begun to spread out beyond the lungs as well as nearby lymph nodes. It's possible that mesothelioma has reached the pericardium, which is the sac that is the heart's pericardium. Pleurodesis is a procedure that can be used to stop fluid from building up in your lungs. It is also possible to drain the fluid from your lungs through an indwelling catheter that you can remove at home following the instructions of your physician.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of lung cancer and mesothelioma are similar, making it difficult to distinguish between them. It is not uncommon for doctors to mix up or misdiagnose the two illnesses. It is crucial that doctors determine the diagnosis as accurately as is possible, as the right treatment could make a huge difference in the prognosis of a patient.
To determine if mesothelioma is present doctors will review an individual's medical history and conduct a physical examination. They might inquire about the person's asbestos exposure in the past and the symptoms they are experiencing. Patients should provide as much details as they can regarding their asbestos exposure to help doctors diagnose the condition faster.
Doctors use different tests to determine whether the patient has mesothelioma, or lung cancer. These tests include the CT scan of the chest and blood tests, X-rays and biopsy. With the CT scan, doctors are able to examine how the pleurathe tissue that line the lungs and diaphragm -- looks. This will help determine if the lining on the lung is getting thicker or if fluid is accumulating in the chest cavity. Both of these are signs of mesothelioma.
In addition, doctors can check the blood of a patient for certain enzymes that are elevated in patients with mesothelioma and less in those who have lung cancer. These enzymes can be a sign that cancer cells are quickly multiplying. They can also examine the lung tissue of a patient and determine whether there are any nodules that look similar to tumors. This is another sign of mesothelioma.
Metastasis, which is also known as the spread of cancer to different organs, is a common method by which mesothelioma or lung cancer is detected. Oncologists employ a variety of methods to determine if cancer has spread. One of these is the PET scan.
In addition to examining symptoms and test results, doctors will also examine how cancerous cells appear under microscope. They will be able to observe the shape of the cells and how tightly they clump together. Mesothelioma cancers aren't well-defined and do not have distinct boundaries, while lung cancers are more prominent. Doctors will take into consideration how far mesothelioma's been able to spread and the stage it is at when deciding on a treatment strategy.
Treatment
Many people with mesothelioma receive chemotherapy or surgery, or the combination of both. These are intended to prolong the life of patients and control the growth of cancer. Mesothelioma is an incurable disease. Despite mesothelioma peritoneal cancer , treatments are effective and can help improve the prognosis of patients.
The type of mesothelioma as well as the location of the tumor determine the type of classification. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs. This type of mesothelioma has a better chance of survival than peritoneal or other types of mesothelioma.
During the process of diagnosis doctors go over the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam. They also conduct tests to check for abnormalities. Doctors may suggest X-rays, CT scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect unusual areas of the body. They might also recommend a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
A biopsy involves using a needle to remove the tissue sample to be examined under a microscope. It's the only method to determine if mesothelioma is. However, the symptoms of this form of cancer are similar to those of other diseases like influenza and pneumonia Mesothelioma is frequently incorrectly diagnosed.
If the lung's lining is affected, doctors may recommend a procedure called pleurodesis to reduce breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Utilizing a bronchoscope, a doctor injects a particular medication in the chest cavity. The lining of the lung is then sealed with the medication, stopping the buildup of fluid and enhancing breathing.
In some cases doctors may also recommend radiation or chemotherapy. Chemotherapy makes use of cytotoxic chemicals in order to kill cancerous cells while slowing the growth of new cells. Additionally, it may lower the likelihood of mesothelioma returning after surgery. Neoadjuvant therapy consists of administering chemotherapy before surgery to decrease the size of a mesothelioma tumor. They may also use adjuvant chemotherapy to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells following surgery and reduce the chance of them spreading. Doctors may also use HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) to treat peritoneal adenocarcinoma. This involves injecting heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is determined by the type and location of the tumor as well as the stage of cancer at diagnosis, and the general health of the patient. Patients who are younger, generally in good health, and who are not smokers have a better prognosis.
The type of cell and the location of a tumor are used to determine the presence of mesothelioma. A doctor will also determine the stage of mesothelioma, which is the extent of the cancer's spread.
Stage 1 mesothelioma is defined by tumors that are located within one layer of pleura. This stage is characterised by chest pain and shortness in breath. This stage of mesothelioma can be treated with surgery or other treatments.
Asbestos patients with a more advanced mesothelioma stage, such as in the abdomen or pleura, may suffer more severe symptoms than those who have an early stage. The tumors are more likely than not to have a spread into other body parts such as the abdominal cavity and heart.
Based on the stage of mesothelioma the doctor may recommend treatments like chemotherapy or radiation to improve the odds of survival. These options can help people with mesothelioma live longer, even if the disease is in the process of remission.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma should talk with their doctor about any unusual symptoms or signs, even if the patient does not think it is mesothelioma. A doctor can look into the symptoms and determine whether they're related to asbestos exposure. These symptoms can be used to help prevent mesothelioma, asbestosis and other illnesses.