Mesothelioma and Asbestosis
Many mesothelioma patients suffer from breathlessness. This is because cancer cells grow out of control and create a tumor, which puts pressure on nearby tissues.
Mesothelioma, a cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare type of cancer. It forms in the linings of the lungs (pleura) and other organs in the body, including the abdomen, heart and testicles.
Signs and symptoms
Patients with mesothelioma or asbestosis can have similar symptoms. The two conditions are distinct. Mesothelioma can be a cancer while asbestosis is a non-cancerous condition known as pulmonary fibrosis.
Asbestos-related exposures can cause people to develop a variety of symptoms depending on the place and how they were exposed to the harmful mineral. For instance, those diagnosed with pleural melanoma commonly experience chest or back discomfort, breathing difficulties and persistent coughing. Some people also experience swelling of the arms and faces abdominal pain, unproven loss of weight or anemia.
Asbestosis is not the cause of these symptoms. However it can impact 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 issues.
Many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are not able to work because of the severity of their symptoms. This can result in anxiety and financial stress. It is essential that these individuals receive proper treatment to improve their lives.
A patient's physician can diagnose mesothelioma by conducting a physical exam by taking a thorough medical history and executing an X-ray of the chest or CT scan. If patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma, their doctor can provide palliative treatment which can alleviate symptoms and pain and prolong the life of.
If the tumor is in the pleura for example the doctor can place tubes or drain excess fluid with a needle to make it easier for the patient to breath. Pleurodesis is yet another procedure that can be done on a patient with mesothelioma pleural. It involves sealing the two layers of pleura in order to stop the buildup of fluid.
Mesothelioma treatment focuses on eliminating cancer cells and slowing down the rate of growth. Asbestosis treatment, on the contrary, are focused on relieving symptoms of asbestosis and enhancing a patient's quality of life.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, affects the mesothelium (the membrane that lines the chest cavity and lungs) as well as the membrane that lines the abdomen (peritoneum) as well as other organs. Most mesothelioma victims have been exposed to asbestos and the condition can take years to develop.
Since the disease has such prolonged latency, it can be difficult to diagnose. The initial symptoms are usually nonspecific and can be confused with other health conditions. The most common signs are chest pain, trouble breathing and an unexplained loss of weight.
If a patient is beginning to experience these symptoms, doctors will order imaging scans and may refer them to specialists. The most reliable test for mesothelioma is a biopsy where a small sample of tissue is removed and tested in a lab. There are many types of biopsies. The most common ones are the bronchoscopy or needle biopsy.
A bronchoscopy is the process of inserting a tube into the throat or mouth to examine lung tissue and then remove the biopsy. The doctor makes use of the thoracic syringe to extract the small amount of fluid or tissue around the affected region. This is usually the lung lining. The needle is placed in the thoracic duct of the patient, which is where the fluid originates or in the affected pulmonary region to obtain a tissue sample.
Asbestosis does not cause cancer however it can cause scarring that prevents breathing. Asbestosis is a chronic condition that can lead to respiratory distress. Asbestosis symptoms are similar to those of mesothelioma. However they are less severe and show up later in the development of the disease.
Both mesothelioma as well as asbestosis are caused by exposure to asbestos. Miners, asbestos contractors, and workers in high-risk industries are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. Insulation workers and veterans of the military are also at risk of developing asbestosis. Asbestosis is difficult to identify due to the fact that it can manifest with mild or moderate symptoms, which are often mistaken for mesothelioma. It can take a long time for the condition to develop and can be difficult to detect before it has reached an advanced stage.
Treatment
Both asbestosis and mesothelioma cause the accumulation of lungs-related fluid which can cause breathing problems. Surgeons work to remove the cancerous cells or tumors that cause these symptoms. They can also use chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancerous cells in order to stop the spread of cancerous cells.
Like all cancers, mesothelioma tumors are caused by a series (mutations) of changes to the DNA inside the cell. This causes the cells to receive faulty instructions and multiply out of control. The excess cells make a tumor when they get larger.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, however, it is treated claim mesothelioma differently than other types of cancers since it develops in the tissue of the abdomen or chest. Mesothelioma cannot be treated, but it can still be treated to reduce symptoms and pain.
Treatments for mesothelioma can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A vaccine, similar to the flu vaccine, which will instruct the immune system to attack the virus, is being evaluated as an option for treating mesothelioma.
Asbestosis patients often 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 take pain-reducing medications such as bronchodilators or narcotics.
In a case of mesothelioma doctors will consider the type, whether it's malignant or benign, and what stage it's in. The doctors will then discuss with the patient the prognosis. This is the probability of the disease becoming better or worse.
Mesothelioma can be cured by certain surgical procedures, especially when the cancer is discovered in its early stages. The surgeon will cut out the affected tissue using a tool called a scalpel. They can also remove a portion of the lung to relieve the pressure and pain caused by a larger tumor.
Other options for treatment include chemotherapy and radiation, which can eradicate mesothelioma cancerous cells that the surgeon could not remove. In mesothelioma cases, a surgeon may employ 3D CRT (or Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)) to provide greater doses of radiation while damaging nearby tissues.
Lastly, some mesothelioma patients have been successful using photodynamic therapy, which uses photosensitizing drugs that react with specific light sources to eliminate cancerous cells. A new method uses photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy to enhance the body's natural defenses against mesothelioma.
Prognosis
In some instances, patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may be told that their outlook is very grim. However, patients and their families should be encouraged to keep the hope alive and seek a second opinion from another mesothelioma specialist. It is crucial to remember that a lot of patients are able to enter partial or complete remission, which could significantly increase their chances of survival.
Mesothelioma can occur in a variety of areas of the body, however, it is most commonly affecting the tissues that surround the lung (pleura). The tumors are likely to cause pleural swelling and effusions in the pleura. The prognosis of each type of mesothelioma differs based on the type and amount of cells that make up the cancerous tumors.
Asbestosis, a chronic condition has some of the same symptoms as mesothelioma. Asbestosis can be caused by the exposure to asbestos fibers and can cause inflammation of the chest cavity and lungs. Eventually, this can cause breathlessness. Asbestosis can take years to manifest. Some victims are not diagnosed until they have severe symptoms.
Blood tests can be utilized to help determine if a person has mesothelioma. However, other types of testing are needed to confirm the diagnosis. A lung CT scan, or MRI, may be ordered to look for signs of tumors in the lungs and organs affected. Mesothelioma is also detected by a needle biopsy. Through this procedure the doctor inserts tiny needles into the lungs to collect liquid containing samples of cells for pathological identification.
A bronchoscopy, also known as thoracoscopy, may be performed to examine inside the lung. A doctor places a tiny camera inside a tube to the lungs to observe tissue and collect samples. Thoracoscopic surgery may be more risky, but it is the most effective method to detect mesothelioma cells.
Both mesothelioma and asbestosis are incurable, yet treatments are improving. Doctors can treat asbestosis by using prescribed pain medications and breathing therapies, whereas mesothelioma requires more intensive treatment. Patients with early stage mesothelioma may be eligible for surgery and chemotherapy that can improve their overall prognosis.