Diagnosing Mesothelioma: X-Rays
The X-ray is a form of medical imaging that is typically used to diagnose injuries to bones. X-ray technology can also be used to diagnose problems in soft tissue, such as the lungs. A chest X-ray can be used to diagnose problems such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pneumonia. A chest X-ray is an excellent way to pinpoint problems of the respiratory tract as well.Chest X-rays are a common diagnostic tool for mesothelioma. A chest X-ray is able to pinpoint the exact location of the tumor as well as whether the tumor has spread outside of the pleural cavity. X-rays, CT scans, and blood tests are the main methods used to diagnose mesothelioma. The downside of all of these medical procedures is that they are not capable of helping the diagnosis of mesothelioma in the earliest stages of development.
The Mesothelioma Center offers a free packet with information about X-rays and other imaging scans used to diagnose mesothelioma.
X-ray as Treatment for Mesothelioma
There are three main standards of care for patients with mesothelioma. Chemotherapy, which can be any one or a combination of a variety of medications that are injected into the patient's blood stream or given in oral form to kill the tumor cells. Surgery is the second option, and typically involves removing the tumor and part or all of the mesothelium as well.The other common method of treatment is radiation. Radiation therapy is a very strong dose of X-rays directed to the cancer cells. Radiation therapy, also known as X-ray therapy, is used to kill individual tumor cells. As the tumor cells die, the tumor itself becomes smaller. The high dose of X-rays can be administered in a number of ways. For example, radiation therapy can be administered with a machine that is directed to the tumor externally; or radioactive materials contained in plastic beads can be implanted at the tumor site.
Physicians may use one, two or all three of these methods to treat mesothelioma. While using a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation increases the odds of successful treatment, not all patients can withstand the more aggressive treatment options. A physician must take into account the patient's general health, age, the location and size of the tumor, as well as whether the tumor has metastasized.
Potential Dangers of X-rays
There are a variety of dangers associated with long term or high level exposure to X-rays. When the body is exposed to X-rays, radiation damage occurs on a cellular level. In general, the damaged cells will die or will have sustained changes to their genetic makeup, which may eventually lead to such cells becoming cancerous.It may seem strange to treat one type of cancer with a method that may cause another type, but radiation therapy has been used for many years and is proven to be effective at shrinking tumors. In the early days of radiation therapy, when manipulation of X-ray dosage was poorly understood, many people died from the therapy. Radiation therapy today is an effective and proven method of treating various forms of cancer. Doctors are able to fine-tune the dosage received, better able to monitor the patient's health, and use other therapies to reduce the side effects of radiation that caused secondary health concerns in the past.
Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, which consists of extremely high powered doses of X-rays directly to the affected area, has some advantages over chemotherapy, but some disadvantages as well. Because radiation therapy targets only the area where the tumor is located, you probably will not suffer from the full body illness and fatigue that is a common side effect of chemotherapy. A patient may report problems at the point where the radiation enters the body. This can include red, irritated skin, tightness or soreness.In addition, radiation in the chest area may make it difficult to swallow and may cause a cough or shortness of breath within a few months after completing treatments. Most of these side effects are temporary, and should resolve themselves within a few months from the end of treatment. If radiation side effects are severe, making it difficult to breath or painful to cough, patients should talk to their doctor. Doctors can prescribe medications such as steroids to reduce the severity of side effects.