Showing posts with label Thoracentesis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thoracentesis. Show all posts

Mesothelioma Surgery

6:24 AM ThE cHaMp

Surgical procedures involved in the treatment and diagnosis of mesothelioma are divided into three main categories:

  • Diagnostic surgery is used to confirm whether or not cancer is present and where it is located. This is typically non-invasive.
  • Curative surgery is carried out with the intention of removing as much cancer as possible with hopes of curing the patient. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy is often administered following curative surgery.
  • Palliative surgery involves the removal of cancerous tissue and is used to provide symptomatic relief, but does not offer a cure.
Mesothelioma BiopsiesA biopsy is a diagnostic surgical procedure in which suspected cancer cells are removed and tested to determine whether they are cancerous. There are three types of biopsy procedures: core biopsy, excisional biopsy, and needle aspiration biopsy. Core biopsy is generally not used to diagnose mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Biopsies
A biopsy is a diagnostic surgical procedure in which suspected cancer cells are removed and tested to determine whether they are cancerous. There are three types of biopsy procedures: core biopsy, excisional biopsy, and needle aspiration biopsy. Core biopsy is generally not used to diagnose mesothelioma.

Excisional biopsy involves an operation to determine how far the mesothelioma cancer has spread. Rather than only remove a portion of the suspected cancerous tissue, this biopsy typically removes as much tissue as possible to prevent the spread of asbestos cancer.

Needle aspiration biopsy uses a very long needle to remove a small sample of cells from the area where cancer is suspected. The cells are then tested for the presence of mesothelioma.

If a biopsy reveals that mesothelioma is present in the body, many patients have a lot of questions about the next steps to take after diagnosis. Our complimentary packet includes all the information on our Web site as well as additional information about surgery and treatment options. Patients and loved ones may receive this packet overnight by using this form.

Mesothelioma Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis is used to diagnose patients who have suspected pleural mesothelioma, and may also be used as a palliative surgical treatment for pleural mesothelioma patients who are suffering from the effects of a buildup of fluid in the lungs.

During a thoracentesis, a very long, hollow needle is inserted into the pleural spaces of the lungs and fluid is removed through the needle. This process is performed under a local anesthetic. If the procedure is used for diagnostic purposes, the doctor may order chest x-rays before the operation to determine the best location from which to extract samples. After the process, the fluid is sent to a laboratory for diagnostic testing.

Mesothelioma Pleurodesis

Pleurodesis is a palliative surgical treatment option for those coping with pleural mesothelioma. This procedure is performed in order to prevent a side effect of pleural mesothelioma, called pleural effusion. Pleural effusion is the buildup of fluid in the lungs, which can cause considerable pain and breathing difficulties.

During a pleurodesis, the pleural spaces are first drained of fluid and then treated with a talc-like chemical that causes inflammation. This causes the pleural spaces to "close up," thus preventing further fluid buildup.

Mesothelioma Pneumonectomy

A pneumonectomy is the removal of one lung. This procedure may be used for patients with pleural mesothelioma and may be a suitable method of treatment for patients who have mesothelioma in just one of their lungs. Those who have mesothelioma in both lungs, or cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, are usually not good candidates for a pneumonectomy. Suitable candidates must also be otherwise healthy to prevent the possibility of complications during or after surgery.

Pneumonectomy is performed under general anesthetic and during the procedure the affected lung is completely removed. Following surgery, patients must usually breathe with the assistance of a respirator for several days.

Mesothelioma Paracentesis

Paracentesis involves the removal of fluid that has built up in the abdominal cavity of patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. This fluid collection in the peritoneal cavity can cause considerable pain and discomfort due to the pressure the fluid places on internal organs. During a paracentesis procedure, the fluid is removed through a long, hollow needle that is inserted into the abdomen.

Note that Paracentesis is a type of palliative surgery; it provides relief from some of the symptoms of mesothelioma, but it cannot provide a cure.

Mesothelioma Thoracotomy

Thoracotomy is a generic term that refers to lung surgery that may be performed on patients with pleural mesothelioma. There are three main types of thoracotomy procedures: wedge resection, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy.

In cases where only small, localized tumors are present, a wedge resection may be performed to remove the tumor, while leaving as much healthy tissue as possible intact. In a lobectomy, one or more of the five lobes of the lungs are removed. The third option is a pneumonectomy, in which an entire lung is removed.

Mesothelioma Thoracoscopy

Thoracoscopy is a procedure that may be used as a diagnostic measure for patients suspected of having pleural mesothelioma or another lung disease. During this procedure an incision is made in the chest, and a long, thin tube is inserted into the pleural spaces of the lungs, enabling a doctor or surgeon to examine the pleura. Samples of suspected mesothelioma cancer cells are then removed to be tested for cancerous characteristics.

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Mesothelioma Thoracentesis

6:20 AM ThE cHaMp

Though researchers continue to develop new ways to diagnose and treat mesothelioma, there are a number of techniques that have been on the scene for several decades. One such technique, thoracentesis, was developed in the late 19th century and is still used today.

Thoracentesis, the extraction of fluid from the lungs and the pleura (pleural effusion), can be used for two purposes. The first is as a diagnostic tool. In this procedure, a doctor uses a hollow needle, or cannula, to extract pleural fluid. This procedure helps to determine the causes behind the fluid buildup. The fluid is then examined for certain qualities that may indicate disease. Usually, however, thoracentesis is not sufficient to determine whether or not a person has mesothelioma. A biopsy is typically required as well.

Before performing the test, doctors will first take an x-ray of the chest, which reveals the extent of the problem and allows them to make the best insertion possible. The skin around the insertion will be disinfected and local anesthesia will be injected to numb the pain. The needle is then inserted. This may cause a feeling of pressure, but not pain (with the help of anesthesia). The procedure is often followed by an x-ray to verify the success of the thoracentesis and the amount of fluid removed.

After the fluid is collected from the lung's chest cavity, it is sent to a lab for analysis. There are a number of factors that doctors examine to determine whether mesothelioma is present. These include:

  • Protein levels
  • Glucose presence
  • pH levels
  • Cell count
  • Cholesterol

Fluid in the pleural region can indicate a number of concerns other than mesothelioma. Although cancer is a common cause of excess fluid in the chest, the fluid may also indicate lung infection, connective tissue disease, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, and a number of other conditions.

Thoracentesis may also be used for palliative reasons to treat the uncomfortable and often debilitating symptoms of pleural effusion. Removing the fluid lessens pressure on the chest and lungs, eases pain in those areas, and provides more space for the lungs to expand.

Thoracentesis is not without risk. Some of the complications that may occur include the following:

  • Pneumothorax: This condition, better known as a collapsed lung, can occur if the doctor accidentally punctures the lung or disrupts an accumulation of air in the pleural cavity.
  • Hemopneumothorax: Often causing the lung to collapse, hemopneumothorax takes place when damage occurs and blood begins filling the pleural space.
  • Pulmonary edema: While removing a sample of the fluid in the lung area is supposed to help, it can sometimes cause even more fluid buildup in the pleural space or swelling. This condition is known as pulmonary edema and can lead to lung failure.

There are also a number of minor conditions that may develop as a result of the thoracentesis procedure. These include subcutaneous hematoma (slight bruising or bleeding), anxiety, and cough.

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Posted by ThE cHaMp
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