Malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells in the lining of the chest or abdomen are formed.
The malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which there are cells malignant ( cancerous ) in the pleura(the thin layer of tissue that lines the cavity thoracic and covers the lungs ) or the peritoneum (the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdominal and covers most of the organs of the abdomen). This summary is about malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.
EnlargeAnatomy of the respiratory system, showing the trachea and both lungs and their lobes and airways. Lymph nodes and the diaphragm are also shown. Oxygen is inhaled into the lungs and passes through the thin membranes of the alveoli into the bloodstream (see box).


Exposure to asbestos can affect the risk of malignant mesothelioma.
Anything that increases the risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor . Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors does not mean that you will not get cancer.Talk to your doctor if you think you may be at risk.
Many people with malignant mesothelioma have worked or lived in places where they inhaled or ingested asbestos . After exposure to asbestos, it usually takes a long time until a malignant mesothelioma is formed. Other risk factors for malignant mesothelioma include:
Living with a person who works near asbestos.
Be exposed to a virus .
Possible signs of malignant mesothelioma include shortness of breath and pain under the rib cage included.
Sometimes the cancer causes fluid to collect around the lung or abdomen. These symptoms may be caused by the fluid or malignant mesothelioma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms.Check with your doctor if any of the following symptoms:
Shortness of breath.
Pain under the rib cage.
Abdominal pain or swelling thereof.
Nodes in the abdomen.
Weight loss for no known reason.
To detect (find) and diagnose malignant mesothelioma Tests that examine the inside of the chest and abdomen are used.
In some cases it is difficult to differentiate between malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer . You can use the following tests and procedures:
Physical exam and history : An exam of the body to check for signs general health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. It also takes the history of health habits, exposure to asbestos, disease and previous treatment of the patient.
Chest x-ray : X-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.EnlargeChest x-ray. X-rays are used to make pictures of organs and bones of the chest.X-rays pass through the body and onto film.
CT scan (CAT scan) : A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of the chest and abdomen from different angles. The pictures are made ​​by a computer linked to an x-ray machine was created injected one dye into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography
Biopsy : The removal of cells or tissues from the pleura or peritoneum by a pathologist to observe the microscope and check for signs of cancer.The procedures used to collect cells or tissues are:Biopsy fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the lung : The removal of tissue or fluid using a thin needle. Used one imaging procedure to locate the tissue or fluid abnormal lung. You can make a small incision in the skin where the biopsy needle into the abnormal tissue or fluid is introduced and a sample is extracted.EnlargeLung biopsy fine needle aspiration. The patient is lying on a table that slides through the CT machine (TC), which takes pictures of the inside of the body.X-rays help the doctor see where the abnormal tissue in the lung. A biopsy needle is inserted through the chest wall to the area of ​​abnormal lung tissue. A small piece of tissue is removed through the needle and observed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer.Thoracoscopy : A procedure in which an incision (cut) is made ​​between two ribs and introduced thoracoscope (a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing) in the chest.Thoracotomy : incision (cut) is made ​​between two ribs to look inside the chest and check for signs of disease.Peritoneoscopy : A procedure in which an incision (cut) in the wall is abdominal and peritoneoscope (a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing) is inserted into the abdomen.Laparotomy : A procedure in which an incision (cut) in the wall of the abdomen to check for signs of disease within the abdomen.Open biopsy : a procedure in which an incision (cut) in the skin to expose and remove tissues to examine and check for signs of disease becomes.
Review cytology : examination of cells under a microscope by a pathologist performed to check for anything abnormal. For mesothelioma, fluid is taken from around the lungs or abdomen. The pathologist looks at the cells of the liquid.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis (chance of recovery ) and treatment options depend on the following:
The stage of the cancer.
The size of the tumor .
If the tumor can be completely removed by surgery .
The amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen.
The age and general health of the patient, including the health of the lungs and heart.
The type of mesothelioma cancer cells and their appearance under the microscope.
If the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).