A proper diagnosis is essential to a treatment plan. The National Cancer Institute states that: "Malignant Mesothelomia, a rare form of cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura) or abdomen (the peritoneum). Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos." A doctor should be seen if a person has shortness of breath, pain in the chest, or pain or swelling in the abdomen. If there are symptoms, the doctor may order an x-ray of the chest or abdomen. The doctor may look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope. A cut will be made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope will be put into the chest between two ribs. This test, called thoracoscopy, is usually done in the hospital. Before the test, the patient will be given a local anesthetic (a drug that causes a loss of feeling for a short period of time). Some pressure may be felt, but usually there is no pain. The doctor may also look inside the abdomen (peritoneoscopy) with a special tool called a peritoneoscope. The peritoneoscope is put into an opening made in the abdomen. This test is also usually done in the hospital. Before the test is done, a local anesthetic will be given. If tissue that is not normal is found, the doctor will need to cut out a small piece and have it looked at under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is called a biopsy. Biopsies are usually done during the thoracoscopy or peritoneoscopy. The treatment program depends on the size of the cancer, where the cancer is, how far the cancer has spread, how the cancer cells look under the microscope, how the cancer responds to treatment, and the patient's age and desires. Click Here for a description of the stages of mesotheleoma. The dense white encircling tumor mass is arising from the visceral pleura and is a mesothelioma. These are big bulky tumors that can fill the chest cavity.The risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. However, mesothelioma is rare even in persons with asbestos exposure. Asbestosis more commonly predisposes to bronchogenic carcinomas, increasing the risk by a factor of five. Smoking increases the risk for lung cancer by a factor of ten. Thus, smokers with a history of asbestos exposure have a risk 50 fold greater likelihood of for developing lung cancer. This is the causative agent for asbestosis. This long, thin object is an asbestos fiber. Many houses and offices still contain building materials with asbestos, particularly insulation, so care must be taken when doing remodelling or reconstruction. The asbestos fiber becomes coated with iron and calcium, which is why it is often referred to as a "ferruginous body" as seen here with an iron stain. Ingestion of these fibers by macrophages sets off a fibrogenic response via release of growth factors that promote collagen deposition by fibroblasts. Another gross lesion typical for pneumoconioses, and asbestosis in particular, is a fibrous pleural plaque. Seen here on the pleural side of the diaphragmatic leaves are several tan-white pleural plaques. About MesotheliomaPrevious Page To More on DiagnosisTo More on Diagnosis Home PagePrevious Page To TreatmentsTo Treatments Name: Phone Number: E-mail: Street Address: City, State, Zip: Comments or Questions: **(Packet includes information on treatment, clinical trials, cancer links, how to access legal and financial resources, and frequently asked legal questions with answers provided by Cooper, Hart, Leggiero & Whitehead, PLLC.). By filling out the above form you consent to being contacted by Cooper, Hart, Leggiero & Whitehead regarding potentially retaining legal services. Sitemap * Cooper, Hart, Leggiero & Whitehead, PLLC** is located in The Woodlands, Texas (the greater Houston area) and can be reached at 1-800-998-9729 for more information on Mesothelioma. Brad Cooper is not a medical doctor. The information in these pages is for the education of asbestos cancer patients and their families regarding potential medical and legal options. Patients are advised to consult with a medical doctor. ** Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. Not Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
