Sunday, September 20, 2015

list and explanation of common mesothelioma symptoms

Symptoms and diagnosis of mesothelioma

Symptoms


The early symptoms of mesothelioma are non-specific in nature and can delay diagnosis. In general, shortness of breath, persistent cough and chest pain are common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, but in some cases, they may not be severe enough to push the patient to a medical consultation. Some patients complain of pain of the scapula or the lower back. These symptoms occur most of the time 2-3 months before a confirmed diagnosis. In peritoneal mesothelioma, abdominal pain and swelling, nausea or vomiting, bowel obstruction, and weight loss are the most common symptoms. Significantly, these symptoms are not specific to mesothelioma and may be symptoms of other conditions. The assessment by a qualified physician is always recommended.

Then you will need to find the most crucial stages as the mesothelioma evolves slowly.

While mesothelioma progresses, pleural effusion (fluid between the two pleural layers pile) occurs in 95% of the patients, and it is this symptom that ultimately brings patients to consult their physician. During this visit, a thoracic radio can confirm the bloodshed. A thickening of the pleura can also be noted at this time. If the physician suspects cancer, he can send his patient to a hospital consultant specializing in lung cancer and mesothelioma.

When your doctor recommends you contact, the following information should be given to you:

The place where you applied.
When the appointment will be made.
That you will see.
What test can you expect.
When the results of the tests will be available.

The National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) has developed the following guidelines to address a suspected patient of cancer, in force since June 2005. These guidelines may not apply to all individuals, and you should always discuss the details of your specific case with your health care team, so you can play a proactive function in your treatment and your care.

An assessment of the urgency will be made by your doctor and will be based on the following criteria:

A contact immediately: the patient requires a consultation in the following hours.
A contact urgently: the patient will be seen in the following 15 days.
Not urgent: all other addresses.

Once the emergency is determined, your doctor will send all information pertaining to your case to your specialist for evaluation.
Diagnosis

A diagnosis of mesothelioma is often obtained from a cautious assessment of the clinical and radiological findings in addition to a tissue biopsy for confirmation. Some of the tests that your specialist may recommend and their value diagnostic and evaluation of mesothelioma are presented below.

Tomography (CT)


The radiation CT scans are able to reveal a pleural effusion and pleural thickening, pleural calcification, thickening of the interlobulaires cracks or possible invasion of the chest wall. However, the CT can not differentiate between changes associated with benign asbestos disease, or between an adenocarcinoma of the lung and mesothelioma. The radiation CT scans can also have a value to guide the fine needle aspiration of pleural masses for tissue diagnosis. This scanner usually takes 10-30 minutes, but may vary depending on the patient.

(MRI) magnetic resonance imaging


MRI scanners are often used to determine the extent of a tumor before an aggressive treatment. They provide images in multiple and peuvnt plans so better identify tumors compared to normal structures. They are also more accurate than CT to estimate the enlargement of lymph nodes Mediastinal housed between two lungs, and a clear diaphragmatic surface, both having an important function for the surgical option. This MRI scanner usually takes 20-40 minutes, but may vary depending on the patient.

Positron emission tomography (pet)


PET imaging is currently occupy an important part of the diagnosis and evaluation of mesothelioma. The TEP are regarded as the best diagnostic of tumor sites, as well as the best to determine the stage of mesothelioma. PET scanners are relatively new and therefore may not be available in all institutions, it may be necessary to travel to find a specialised centre who has a.


Analysis of fluids


Analyze the pleural fluid for malignant cells has only limited for mesothelioma diagnostic value. The diagnostic thoracentesis, in which cells are extracted from the pleural cavity is commonly made when there is a suspicion of mesothelioma. Unfortunately, the results are negative or inconclusive in almost 85% of the tests. Even in the case of a positive liquid result, physicians can opt for a biopsy for confirmation from the moment that it is not at the expense of the health of the patient.
Analysis of tissue (biopsy)

In most cases, finally a needle takes a biopsy of pleura, or a surgical biopsy confirms the diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a pleural biopsy procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision in the chest wall and inserts a thin lighted tube called a thorascope into the chest between two ribs. It will remove a tissue sample that will then examine under microscope by a pathologist. When peritoneal biopsy, the surgeon makes a small incision in the abdomen and insert a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity.

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