The Expert Guide To Mesothelioma Case > 자유게시판

Mesothelioma Cases

A specialist should be consulted for anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma. Based on the location of the tumor and the extent to which it has spread, doctors are able to provide patients with a variety of treatments.

Most mesothelioma cases occur in men and women who worked with asbestos materials. This includes miners, asbestos compensation workers railway workers, auto repair and shipyard workers.

Diagnosis

A series of tests is necessary to determine if you have mesothelioma. Doctors review your medical history and perform a physical examination to check for signs. They can also use blood markers and imaging tests to determine mesothelioma. A tissue biopsy is the only method of making an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma however, it is usually not the first test doctors conduct.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the pleura or the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Pleural effusion is the most commonly seen indication of pleural cancer. It can be observed in the chest CT scan or X-ray and helps doctors determine the best location to biopsy.

To perform a mesothelioma biopsies, doctors can make use of a needle or surgery to remove a small amount of the affected tissues. The biopsy is then examined under a microscope to see if the cells are cancerous. Mesothelioma can be divided into three types based on how the cells appear under a microscope: epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and mixed (biphasic) mesothelioma.

Depending on your symptoms and the type of mesothelioma that you have, your doctor may recommend different types of blood tests or imaging scans. A complete blood count (CBC) determines the level of red and white blood cells as well as platelets. It can help doctors spot mesothelioma-related signs including the elevated levels of an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

A specific form of ultrasound, echocardiograms show the heart's performance. This can be used to diagnose pericardial msothelioma which can affect the lining around the heart.

A chest CT scan is a non-invasive, painless scan that uses x-rays and computers to create an image of your lungs and the tissues that surround them. It helps doctors identify mesothelioma cancers and measure the thickness of tissue.

To diagnose pleural mesothelioma, a lung function test or pulmonary function test could be necessary to determine the efficiency of the lungs. A flexible tube known as a "bronchoscope" is inserted into the throat or mouth and down the airway. The bronchoscope is equipped with a camera and may be connected to a large monitor to allow doctors to observe the lungs and the surrounding area. The test lasts between 30 minutes and 60 minutes.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma can differ based on the nature and location of the cancer. The majority of mesothelioma tumors are classified as pleural (meaning they are found in the lining of the lung). However, around 10% of cases are peritoneal, which develop in the lining of the abdomen. Both mesothelioma types can cause difficulty breathing, coughing, chest or abdominal discomfort and asbestos fatigue.

Mesothelioma is a rare condition and many doctors aren't familiar of its symptoms and signs. Therefore, patients should bring a list with their symptoms to each appointment and tell their doctor about any past exposure to asbestos. This will ensure that the patient receives an immediate diagnosis.

A doctor usually begins the mesothelioma treatment by asking about any asbestos exposure in the past and then conducting a physical exam. A chest X-ray or CT scan will be ordered to determine if mesothelioma is present and other problems in the lungs or chest wall. A blood test is also required to determine the presence of antibodies that suggest mesothelioma or asbestos exposure.

A biopsy is carried out following the diagnosis of mesothelioma to examine tissue under a microscope to confirm a diagnosis. A biopsy can be performed using VATS surgery (a minimally-invasive procedure) or by the use of a CT guided needle aspiration.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms usually manifest as trouble breathing, chest or back discomfort, and a dry cough. These symptoms can be mistaken for the flu, bronchitis, pneumonia or lung cancer. A mesothelioma patient might also experience bloating and constipation, as well as unproved weight loss. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling of the abdomen and a feeling of fullness or an obstruction in the stomach. Other symptoms that can occur include fever, loss of appetite and fatigue. Mesothelioma symptoms can be extremely severe and life-threatening, particularly if it has advanced to a stage. Early detection is important to get a mesothelioma diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible. Consult a mesothelioma specialist if you or someone you know is suffering from mesothelioma symptoms.

Treatment

The mesothelioma treatment options depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Patients should select mesothelioma experts who are familiar with the disease and is able to discuss their treatment goals. This is called shared decision making.

Chest X-rays are typically the first imaging tests that the doctor asbestos of a patient orders. These tests can reveal changes in the lung lining, such as thickening or a build-up of fluid. They can also reveal whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other regions of the body. Other tests include CT, MRI, and PET (positron-emission tomography). Blood tests can also detect the presence of certain chemicals associated with mesothelioma.

If mesothelioma is diagnosed, doctors will order an invasive biopsy. This involves removing a small sample of the lining to examine under microscope for mesothelioma cell. Doctors can collect a tissue sample using VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery), a type of keyhole surgery, or CT-guided core biopsies, that uses a needle that is guided by the images of the CT scan. A biopsy can be used to determine the type of cells in mesothelioma. This will affect the way in which the cancer responds. The mesothelioid cells of mesothelioma respond better to treatment than mixed or sarcomatoid cell types.

The most common mesothelioma treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These can improve the life expectancy of a patient by 30-40%. Doctors may recommend immunotherapy in some cases. These drugs stimulate the patient's own immune system to fight cancer. These medications can be used with other treatments, such as chemotherapy and surgery.

Patients with mesothelioma should always take into consideration participating in a clinical trial. This can result in better and more experimental treatments. Researchers conduct these trials to find new ways to treat the disease and improve patients' lives.

For those suffering from advanced mesothelioma aim of treatment is to lessen symptoms and keep them under control. These symptoms include breathing problems, pain and swelling. Breathing problems can be addressed by surgical procedures like an pleura drain. If you are not able to undergo surgery, an at-home treatment such as TTFields might be suggested.

Prognosis

Doctors can better plan treatment when they know the stage of mesothelioma. The prognosis is based on the type of cancer and its location, as well as the body part affected, and the general health of the patient. Patients with advanced mesothelioma litigation can be able to live for less than one year after diagnosis. Treatments can prolong the duration of survival.

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers that are sharp and loose irritate the lining in the lungs or abdomen. The cancer can form as a single tumor, or it can grow and spreads to other tissues. In advanced stages, mesothelioma may cause fluid buildup in the stomach or chest cavity which can cause a cough or other respiratory issues, and abdominal pain, swelling and weight loss.

Doctors utilize a mix of procedures and tests to diagnose mesothelioma. They may perform a physical examination, take a biopsy of mesothelioma to test and review the medical history of a patient. Mesothelioma patients often have a history involving asbestos exposure which is a significant risk factor for the condition.

A biopsy is the most precise way to confirm mesothelioma. It collects fluids or tissue from mesothelioma that is cancerous and analyzes them for malignant cells. Doctors also examine blood samples to determine whether the mesothelioma contains different kinds of cells. The most frequent cells are epithelioid, which respond well to treatment. Sarcomatoid cells, which are seen in fewer cases, is more difficult to treat.

In the case of Pleural Msothelioma, doctors can treat fluid buildup in the chest cavity with a procedure known as a pleurodesis. This involves scarring the lung lining using a chemical, and then stopping the fluid buildup. They can also flush the fluid using an instrument placed inside the chest (percutaneous thoracostomy).

Doctors cannot predict with certainty the prognosis of patients with peritoneal cancer because the cancer of this type develops on the abdomen's lining. The prognosis for peritoneal cancer is higher than that of other types because it responds well to treatment and spreads less rapidly.