Mesothelioma Pleural Clinical Trial
Mesothelioma Pleural
Diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma
On initial examination by a doctor, 80% to 95% of patients show pleural effusion on x-ray, the rest show little or no fluid. At first, the fluid is free-flowing, and is similar in appearance to that seen in other benign causes or in congestive heart failure, and because of this, these other possibilities are the first to be ruled out in the diagnostic process. Later, the effusion becomes "loculated", or contained within a boundary in the pleural space, where the fluid does not move.
CT scans are more definitive, and may show not only the effusion, but the presence of pleural masses as well as the size certain lymph nodes; MRI is more sensitive in determining chest wall invasion and spread of disease through the diaphragm; PET may help in staging pleural mesothelioma for possible surgical resection by ruling out extension to the contralateral (opposite) lung or to other distant sites.
Analysis of pleural fluid yields a confirmed diagnosis in a relatively small percentage of patients, and needle biopsy offers only slightly better results. Today, the procedure of choice is the VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopy) procedure, which has a diagnostic yield of >95%, and allows for pleural biopsy, drainage of fluid and pleurodesis. VATS also ensures adequate tissue samples to facilitate a definitive diagnosis.
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Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
The early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are not, as a rule, specific enough to cause alarm, and in most cases are attributed to increasing age or overwork.
Because of this, it may be several months from the onset of generalized symptoms until the first acute symptom, pleural effusion, occurs.
At that time, progressive shortness of breath caused by the effusion, and chest pain caused by chest wall invasion may be in evidence.
More general symptoms include dry cough, fatigue, night sweats and weight loss.
source of http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/pleural.htm
Pleural Mesothelioma in Clinical Trial
Pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that originates in the mesothelial cells lining the pleura, a membrane that covers the lungs and lines the chest cavity. Approximately 75% of all mesotheliomas diagnosed are pleural mesotheliomas. Pleural mesothelioma is most commonly unilateral (on one side of the chest), and occurs most often in men age 60-80 with a history of asbestos exposure, often decades prior to diagnosis.
When pleural mesothelioma begins, it appears as a series of small white nodules which become diffuse, or widespread on the pleural surface. Gradually, these nodules begin to grow together and thicken, forming a "rind" that encases the lung and extends into the fissures or grooves of the pleura and the diaphragm. The tumor spreads by direct invasion of surrounding tissue, inwardly compressing the lung, and outwardly invading the chest wall and ribs.
source of http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/pleural.htm
Malignant Mesothelioma in Clinical Trian
Most people with malignant mesothelioma worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos. Others were exposed to asbestos in a household environment, often without knowing it.
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos, once regarded as a miracle mineral, was popular due its lightweight but tough characteristics as well as for its heat-resistant properties.
This naturally occurring mineral was used in many commercial and consumer products, from construction materials such as cement, roofing shingles and insulation, to consumer and industrial applications such as hair dryers, automobile brake pads and pipe insulation.
This naturally occurring mineral was used in many commercial and consumer products, from construction materials such as cement, roofing shingles and insulation, to consumer and industrial applications such as hair dryers, automobile brake pads and pipe insulation.
source of http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/mesothelioma.htm
The Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Our mesothelioma symptoms page goes into detail about the signs of this cancer. It is important to seek professional medical advice when trying to diagnose for mesothelioma because the symptoms can be confused with symptoms of other diseases.
Major symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include :
- Shortness of breath caused by expanding pleural effusion
- Persistent dry cough
- Chest pain
Major symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include :
- Ascites (fluid in the abdomen)
- Swelling or lumps in the abdomen
- Abdominal pain
Some patients experience few of the visible symptoms. Formal diagnostic procedures are needed to determine if the cancer is present.
source of http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org
Due Happens Inside the Body
The cancerous cells clump together in a malignant tumor. As it grows, the tumor pushes against and into other organs and healthy tissue, causing symptoms. Because the mesothelium is a flat thin lining, the mesothelioma tumor often takes a diffuse shape.
In its advanced stage the cancer metastasizes through the lymph system and spreads to other parts of the body. It is still referred to as mesothelioma because it started in the mesothelium.
About Mesothelioma in Clinical Trial
Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which a cancerous tumor grows on the mesothelium- the sac lining the internal body cavities. The specific type of mesothelioma is named for the tissue where the cancer started.
Pleural mesothelioma starts in the chest, in the pleura that surrounds the lungs (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall). It makes up about 70% of mesothelioma cases.
Peritoneal mesothelioma starts in the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Although sometimes referred to as "asbestos lung cancer", mesothelioma is not the same as lung cancer. Lung cancers occur inside the lung itself; mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lung. Mesothelioma is rare, striking fewer than 3000 Americans per year.
source of http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/mesothelioma.htm#about
source of http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/mesothelioma.htm#about
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