Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer
The most commonly encountered site for malignant pleural pleural cancer is the tissue that lines the lungs as well as chest cavities (pleura). Other, less well-known mesothelioma types can be found in the tissues around the abdomen or the heart.
Although mesothelioma cannot be cured treatment options such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy can extend life span by reducing symptoms. A multidisciplinary team can help you choose the best treatment strategy.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma, a type of cancer, develops in cells that line certain areas of the body, more often the linings of the chest and abdomen. It is usually found in the tissue that covers the lungs, the pleura. However, it can also develop in tissues that cover other parts of the body like the diaphragm or the heart. It may spread to lymph nodes and other body parts as well.
People with pleural mesothelioma often suffer from symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, and coughing. Because these symptoms resemble the symptoms of other illnesses, they may go undiagnosed for months or even years. Most patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma in an advanced stage, and treatment becomes more difficult.
Doctors can diagnose pleural mesothelioma by the examination of the chest lining as well as the analysis of biopsy samples. They can also do an chest CT scan to look for changes in the pleura, or in the fluid in the lung cavity, which can be a sign of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers may cause irritation to mesothelial cells, which can cause them to change and grow out of control. This could lead to the formation of clusters of cancerous cells, or tumors. Perilymphatic sacs surround these tumors, which are often inflamed. Pleural mesothelioma is often mistaken for pneumonia due to this.
Doctors who treat mesothelioma use different treatments depending on the kind of cancer and stage. In the majority of cases, doctors from different disciplines work together to develop an effective treatment plan.
Surgery is the most common treatment option for pleural cancer, and it is the most effective in the early stages of the disease when it is easier to remove cancerous tissue. Doctors may suggest chemotherapy or radiation along with surgery to eliminate cancerous cells and alleviate symptoms. Radiation makes use of high-energy Xrays to eliminate cancerous cells and decrease symptoms. Chemotherapy employs drugs that kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Pemetrexed is one of the most commonly used chemotherapy for mesothelioma.
Diagnosis
Pleural mesothelioma can be associated with a fluid accumulation (pleural effusion) that can be seen around the lungs. These effusions are caused by scar tissue that develops on the tissue (pleura) of the chest cavity. This makes it difficult to breathe.
A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma by taking a sample of fluid or tissue and testing for cancerous cells. This can be done by putting a tube in the lungs to drain fluid, or by performing biopsy.
They can also make use of an X-ray scan or CT scan to detect tumors or fluid buildup within the lung. This can help determine if the pleural mesothelioma is found in the lining of lungs (peritoneal) or elsewhere in the body, like the abdomen.
A biopsy is a simple operation in which the doctor inserts a tube with cameras into your chest or abdomen. The tube is used to view inside and to pass instruments to collect samples of fluid or cells from your lung. A laboratory tests this sample to check for mesothelioma as well as to determine what type of mesothelioma you have.
Other tests that aid to diagnose the problem include a thoracoscopy as well as a PET-CT scan. In a thoracoscopy procedure, the doctor makes a small cut in the area of the chest between 2 ribs and then puts an elastic tube that has an imager and light at one end of the opening. It is used to take samples from the pleura.
The PET-CT scan is a mix of a CT scan (positron emission scan) and an PET scan (positron emission tomography scan). This test utilizes the use of a radioactive substance that can reveal areas of abnormal cell activity.
If mesothelioma has resorbed, doctors can do an in-person biopsy of the newly formed tissue to confirm this and then plan treatment. They can also try to stop the flow of fluid by removing tissue that lines the ribs or lungs (pleurectomy) or by injecting medicine into the chest (pleurodesis).
The treatment of radiation can help relieve some symptoms of advanced mesothelioma. This is done by using high-energy rays that kill cancerous cells and stop the growth or spread of cancerous cells.
Treatment
Pleural mesothelioma can be more difficult to treat due to the fact that it usually develops in the lung tissue that covers the lung. There are options that can help improve the quality of life. Doctors can prescribe a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy to reduce symptoms and prolong survival.
Doctors will often employ the stage of mesothelioma as a guide to determine a patient's treatment plan. The extent of the tumor's growth and its spread determines a mesothelioma's stage. Roman numerals are used to identify the stage, which ranges from I to IV. Those with a lower number have tumors localized to the body, while those with higher numbers have cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is established, a multidisciplinary group of medical experts will meet to discuss treatment options. This team includes your general practitioner who is accountable for your overall health. Other specialists include a pulmonologist, who specializes in breathing problems as well as a chest specialist as well as an interventional radiologist and a mesothelioma specialist.
If your doctor is of the opinion that the pleural mesothelioma is in an advanced stage, he is likely to recommend a more intensive surgical procedure. This could involve video-assisted thoracic surgery, or VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery). This involves removing a part of the wall of the chest and lung to alleviate breathlessness caused by fluid build-up. They can also eliminate excess fluid using a tube inserted through the chest. A pleural drain in the lungs is another option for people who aren't suitable for surgery. It is able to be drained several times per week to manage fluid buildup.
The majority of mesothelioma treatments aim to prolong the life of patients and reduce symptoms. These treatments may include chemotherapy drugs, radiotherapy and radiation therapy. The nature and duration of these treatments are based on a variety of factors, including your stage of mesothelioma, the type of mesothelioma you have, the side effects you're experiencing and your general health. Your doctor will be able to explain what happens during each stage of the treatment. It is important to follow your doctor's advice as closely as you can, as this can improve your outcomes.
Prognosis
The mesothelioma prognosis of a patient is contingent on the stage of the disease and which cell type it is. Pleural mesothelioma may be classified as either stage 1 or 2. These are early stages, meaning that the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body, as per the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program.
When diagnosed in later stages, mesothelioma patients have a poorer prognosis. These stages are difficult to recognize because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, like lung cancer and pneumonia. In the end, doctors frequently misdiagnose mesothelioma, and this can result in delay in treatment.
A biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves inserting a needle into the chest of a patient in order to collect tissues and fluid samples. The doctor uses a microscope to inspect the tissue for malignant cancer cells. In some cases, blood tests may be ordered. This will check for elevated levels of specific proteins, such as mesothelin-related peptide soluble and fibulin-3, which are found in mesothelioma patients.
In certain cases doctors may request an CT or MRI scan to determine how the tumors are affecting the lungs and chest cavity. A pleural effusion or the accumulation of fluid, is typically observed during these tests. lung mesothelioma may also use an instrument as part of a procedure called thoracentesis to remove fluid from around the lungs to test.
These tests can reveal the extent of mesothelioma within a patient and whether it has spread to any other organs. This information is used by your doctor to formulate a treatment plan that will improve your odds of success.
New treatments continue improving the survival rate for mesothelioma sufferers. Mesothelioma Hope can help mesothelioma patients connect with specialists in their area who can offer the best treatment options. Taking advantage of these available treatments can allow patients to prolong their lives and live more comfortably.