Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer
Malignant pleural mesothelioma most commonly affects the tissues that line the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Other, less common types of mesothelioma occur in the tissues surrounding the abdomen or heart.
Although mesothelioma cannot be cured, treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy can prolong the life expectancy by reducing symptoms. A multidisciplinary team can assist you select the most effective treatment plan.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in cells that line certain areas of the body, most often the linings of the abdomen and chest. It usually develops in the tissue covering the lungs (the pleura) but it can also develop in the tissues that surround other organs, such as the diaphragm and heart. It can also extend to other parts of the body, like lymph nodes.
Chest discomfort and coughing are all common symptoms of pleural asbestosis. These symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses and are often not diagnosed for months or even years. Most patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma at an advanced stage, and treatment becomes more difficult.
Doctors can diagnose pleural mesothelioma by examining the chest lining, measuring the size of tumors and analyzing biopsy samples. They can also do a chest CT scan to look for changes in the pleura or fluid in the lung cavity, which are signs of mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the mesothelial cell membrane, leading to its mutation. This can lead to the formation of clusters of cancerous cells, or tumors. These tumors are often enclosed by an swelling and irritation called the perilymphatic sac. Pleural mesothelioma can be mistaken for pneumonia due to this.
Doctors who treat mesothelioma utilize different methods of treatment based on the type of cancer and the stage. In most cases there is doctors from multiple disciplines will work together to create a treatment plan.
Surgery is the primary treatment option for pleural mesothelioma and is most effective in the initial stages of the disease, when it is easier to remove cancerous tissue. Doctors may suggest chemotherapy or radiation along with surgery to remove cancerous cells and ease symptoms. Radiation uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancerous cells and ease symptoms in specific regions of the body. Chemotherapy is a method of treatment which uses drugs to kill cancerous cells or slow down their growth. The most common chemotherapies for mesothelioma include pemetrexed, carboplatin and cisplatin.
Diagnosis
Pleural mesothelioma is usually associated with a fluid accumulation (pleural effusion) that is visible around the lung. These effusions occur when scar tissue develops on the lining of the chest cavity (pleura) and causes breathing difficulties.
A doctor can determine if pleural mesothelioma is present by taking a sample tissue or fluid to check for cancer cells. It could be done by inserting a tube into the lungs to drain the fluid or by performing a biopsy.
They can also make use of an X-ray scan or CT scan to find tumors or accumulation of fluid within the lungs. This helps them determine if the pleural tumor has spread to other parts of the body, such as the abdomen or the lining of lungs.
A biopsy is an operation where the doctor inserts a tube with a camera in your abdomen or chest. This tube is used to view inside and pass instruments to take a sample of fluid or cells from your lung. The samples are tested in a lab to determine if you have mesothelioma, and what type.
Other tests that may help in diagnosing the condition include a thoracoscopy as well as PET-CT scan. A thoracoscopy is conducted by a doctor following a small incision is made between two ribs. The flexible tube with the camera and light at the end will then be inserted through the opening. It is used to take samples from the pleura.
The PET-CT scan is a combination of a CT scan (positron emission scan) and an PET scan (positron emissions tomography scan). This test uses a radioactive drug that shows areas of abnormal cell activity.
Doctors may perform an examination of the new tissue if mesothelioma is detected to confirm its presence and determine the best treatment. They may also attempt to stop the flow of fluid by removing tissue lining the ribs or lungs (pleurectomy) or by injecting medicine into the chest (pleurodesis).
For mesothelioma with advanced stages, radiation therapy can help ease some symptoms. 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 than other types of mesothelioma, as it typically develops within the tissue that covers the lung (pleura). There are treatments that can enhance the quality of living. Mesothelioma physicians may recommend the combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to lessen symptoms and extend survival.
In most instances, doctors determine the stage of someone's mesothelioma to help in their treatment plan. The extent of tumor growth and spread determines the stage of mesothelioma. Staging is indicated by Roman numerals ranging from I to IV. The lower the number, the more localized the tumor is. The higher numbers indicate cancer that has spread.
When a mesothelioma-related diagnosis is established, a multidisciplinary group of medical experts will meet to discuss possible treatment options. This team includes an omni-specialist who oversees your overall health, as well as other specialists, such as a pulmonologist who specializes in breathing issues as well as a chest surgeon, an interventional radiologist, and mesothelioma specialists.
If lung cancer asbestos mesothelioma believes that the mesothelioma in your pleural is at an advanced stage, they is likely to recommend a more extensive surgical procedure. This could involve video-assisted thoracic surgery, or VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery). This involves the removal of a portion of the lining on the lung or chest wall to ease breathlessness due to the accumulation of fluid. A tube is inserted into the chest to eliminate excess fluid. For those who aren't suitable for surgery, an indwelling drain may be used. This can be drained several times a week to control the buildup of fluid.
Most mesothelioma treatment aims to prolong life and control symptoms. These treatments can include radiotherapy, chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. The duration and the type are determined by many factors. These include your stage of the disease, the type of cancer you suffer from and the side effects you experience and your general health. Your doctor will explain what happens during each stage of treatment. You should follow your doctor's instructions as precisely as you can, since this will enhance your chances of success.
Prognosis
The stage and type of mesothelioma determine the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma is usually classified as stage 1 or stage 2. According to the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results program (SEER) they are the initial stages of cancer, when it isn't spreading elsewhere in the body.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma that are diagnosed later in the course of the disease are more likely to die. These stages are more difficult to identify, since the symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases, such as pneumonia or lung cancer. Doctors often misdiagnose the illness which results in delayed treatment.
A biopsy is the only method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves inserting a needle into the chest of a patient to collect samples of tissue and fluid. The doctor will use a microscope to inspect the tissue for malignant cancer cells. In certain instances blood tests can be requested. This will check the levels of certain proteins such as mesothelin related protein soluble (SMRP) and fibulin-3, which are elevated in mesothelioma.
In certain cases, a doctor may also order an CT or MRI scan to assess how the tumors are affecting lungs and chest cavity. These tests are typically accompanied by an pleural effusion or a the buildup of fluid. The doctor might also employ a needle as part of a procedure called thoracentesis to remove fluid from the lungs for testing.
These tests can reveal the severity of mesothelioma in a patient and whether it has spread to any other organs. This information is utilized by the doctor to formulate a treatment plan that will improve your odds of success.
New treatments continue to increase the survival rates of mesothelioma patients. Mesothelioma Hope helps mesothelioma patients connect with specialists in their area who can provide the best treatment options. These treatments can allow patients to live longer and live more comfortably.