mesothelioma Flashcards
1
Q
What is a mesothelioma?
A
Malignant tumour
caused by asbestos fibre inhalation
that reaches the pleura
causing inflammation
provoking tumour formation
2
Q
What are the 6 presentations of mesothelioma?
A
Asbestos exposure
dyspnoea
weight loss
chess pain
finger clubbing and plural effusion signs
20-40 years latency period
3
Q
What investigations are used?
A
Chest x-ray
pleural aspirate
- 25% is positive, sent to cytology
CT thorax
- shows lesion + pleural thickening
biopsy
- for histology confirmation if aspirate cytology is negative
PET/CT
- for distant metastasis
3
Q
What treatment is used for mesothelioma?
A
- Chemotherapy
- pleurodesis
- discuss compensation schemes if occupational deleted
