Mesothelioma and Asbestosis
Many mesothelioma patients experience shortness in breath. This is due to the fact that cancer cells grow out of control, and eventually create a tumor that puts pressure on nearby tissues.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure is a rare kind of cancer. It can grow in the linings (pleura) of the lungs and other organs such as the abdomen, heart and testicles.
Signs and symptoms
Patients suffering from asbestosis or mesothelioma can suffer from similar symptoms. However the two conditions are distinct. Mesothelioma, which is a cancerous disease is distinct from asbestosis (pulmonary fibrosis), a non-cancerous disease.
Asbestos-related exposures can cause people to suffer from a variety of signs, depending on where and the manner in which they were exposed to the dangerous mineral. For instance, those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma typically experience chest or back pain, breathing problems and constant coughing. Some also experience swelling in the arms and face abdominal pain, and unresolved weight loss or anemia (iron deficiency).
Asbestosis is not the root cause of these symptoms. However it can affect the quality of life due to the formation of scar tissue to build up in the lungs. These breathing issues can lead to other health issues such as lung failure, heart disease and other respiratory ailments.
Due to the severity of the symptoms, a lot of sufferers with mesothelioma are unable to work. This can cause emotional stress and financial problems. It is crucial that these individuals receive proper treatment to improve their quality of life.
A doctor can identify mesothelioma with an examination of the body, taking a detailed account of the patient's medical history and obtaining a chest X radiograph or CT scan. If a patient has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the doctor can provide palliative treatment that can ease the symptoms and pain, as well as prolong the life of the patient.
For example, if the tumor is located in the pleura, doctors can remove excess fluid using an instrument or tube to allow the patient to breathe easily. Pleurodesis is a different procedure that is performed for patients with mesothelioma pleural. This involves securing the two layers of pleura in order to stop the buildup of fluid.
Treatments for mesothelioma are aimed at destroying cancerous cells and slowing the growth rate. Asbestosis treatment on the contrary, is more focused on relieving symptoms and enhancing patient's life quality.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer that affects mesothelium, the membrane that lines the chest cavity and lungs (pleura) and the membrane lining the abdomen (peritoneum) or other organs. Almost all victims of mesothelioma are exposed to asbestos, and the condition usually takes many years to develop.
Because the disease has such prolonged latency it can be hard to recognize. The initial symptoms are usually not specific and may be similar to other health conditions. The most common signs are chest pain, trouble breathing, and an unidentified loss of weight.
If a patient is beginning to experience these symptoms, doctors will recommend scans of the body and refer them to an expert. The most effective method to identify mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. A small sample of tissue is taken and tested by a laboratory. There are many types of biopsies. The most common ones are bronchoscopy or needle biopsy.
A bronchoscopy is done by inserting a tube into the mouth or throat. This allows the doctor to view lung tissue and then take the biopsy. The doctor utilizes a thoracic syringe to remove the small amount of fluid or tissue from the affected area. It is typically the lung lining. The needle is placed into the thoracic duct, from where the fluid originates, or the affected pulmonary lobe in order to collect a sample of tissue for testing.
Asbestosis doesn't cause cancer, but it can cause scarring that prevents breathing. Asbestosis is a progressive disease that can cause respiratory distress. The symptoms of asbestosis are similar to mesothelioma including breathlessness, but they are generally more mild and are present later in the progression of the disease.
The exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma as well as asbestosis. Those who are most at risk of developing mesothelioma include asbestos contractors, miners and those working in other industries that are at risk. Insulation workers and veterans of the military are also at risk of developing asbestosis. Asbestosis is difficult to diagnose because it may present with mild or moderate symptoms, which are often mistaken for mesothelioma. It can take years for the condition to progress and is therefore difficult to identify before it is at an advanced stage.
Treatment
Both mesothelioma (asbestosis) and mesothelioma cause an accumulation of lung fluid which can cause breathing problems. Surgeons work to remove the cancerous cells or tumors that cause these symptoms. They may also use chemotherapy to destroy remaining cancerous cells and stop them from spreading to other organs of the body.
Like all cancers, mesothelioma caused by an array of changes (mutations) in the DNA within the cell. The cells receive faulty instructions and multiply out of control. The cells that are over-extended create a tumor.
Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor is treated differently from other cancers due to its position in the chest and abdomen. Mesothelioma is not curable, but it is treatable to decrease discomfort and other symptoms and improve quality of life.
Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are all options to treat mesothelioma. A vaccine similar to the flu vaccine that instructs the immune system to fight the virus, is being tested as an option for mesothelioma treatment.
Asbestosis patients frequently experience shortness of breath and may require lifestyle adjustments, like having oxygen therapy or attending pulmonary rehabilitation. They may need to stop smoking cigarettes, or use pain-reducing medications like bronchodilators or the narcotics.
In a mesothelioma-related case doctors will take into consideration the type of mesothelioma they are treating, whether it is benign or malignant and what stage it's in. They will then discuss the patient's prognosis that is the likelihood that the disease will improve or get worse.
Mesothelioma is curable by certain surgical procedures, especially when the cancer is discovered in its early stages. The surgeon will slice out the affected tissue with the scalpel, a tool that is used to cut through the tissue. They may also remove part of the lungs to relieve pressure and pain from the large tumor.
Other options for treatment include chemotherapy and radiation, which can help eliminate mesothelioma tumors that the surgeon was unable to remove. In mesothelioma cases, surgeons can employ 3D CRT (or Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)) to deliver higher doses of radiation while doing less harm to surrounding tissues.
Additionally, mesothelioma sufferers have had success using photodynamic therapy, which utilizes photosensitizing medications that react with specific light to destroy cancerous cells. A new technique combines immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy to boost the body’s natural defenses against mesothelioma that is malignant.
Prognosis
In some instances, patients diagnosed with mesothelioma could be told their prognosis is not good. Patients and their families are advised to keep the hope alive by seeking a second opinion from another mesothelioma expert. It is important to note that a majority of patients can go into partial or full recovery, which can greatly improve their chances of survival.
Mesothelioma can develop in several areas of the body, but it most commonly affects the tissue surrounding the lungs (pleura). The tumors are most likely to cause pleural swelling and effusions in the pleura. The prognosis for each type of mesothelioma differs based on the type and quantity of cells that create the cancerous tumors.
Asbestosis is a chronic illness that is a chronic condition that shares many of the same symptoms as mesothelioma. Asbestosis is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers and can cause inflammation of the chest cavity and lungs. Then, it can lead to shortness of breath. Like mesothelioma in general, it takes years for asbestosis symptoms to manifest, so some victims do not receive a diagnosis until they are already suffering with serious symptoms.
Blood tests can be used to help determine if a patient has mesothelioma. However, other methods of testing are needed to confirm the diagnosis. A lung CT scan, or MRI, may be ordered to look for signs of tumors within the lungs or organs affected. A needle biopsy can also detect mesothelioma. A doctor inserts a thin, needle-like instrument into the lung to collect samples of cells in liquid that can be used for pathological diagnosis.
A bronchoscopy, or thoracoscopy, may be performed to look inside the lung. A doctor will insert a small camera into a tube and then the lungs to view tissue and collect an in-situ sample. Thoracoscopic surgery is a more in-depth method, but it provides surgeons the most effective method of mesothelioma-related cells identification.
Both asbestosis and mesothelioma are incurable, yet treatments are improving. Asbestosis can be treated using breathing treatments and prescription pain medication while mesothelioma is more difficult to treat. mesothelioma claims Patients with early stage mesothelioma may be eligible for chemotherapy and surgery, which can improve their overall prognosis.