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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer correlated with exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral. The disease usually develops over the course of years after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three kinds of mesothelioma. The stage and type of cells in the tumor affect the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? The mesothelioma that is cancerous forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that encloses internal organs). It is caused by asbestos, which is a grouping of fibrous minerals. Exposure to asbestos usually occurs when people inhale or swallow asbestos fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the lining of organs and cause irritation, which leads to tumors. Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors look at these tumors and take an in-depth sample of tissue called biopsy. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the kind of cells are located in the tumors. The three mesothelioma types are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid) biphasic, sarcomatoid, and epithelial. Epithelial Mesothelioma comprises about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma makes up 10 percent of all cases and has a worse prognosis than the epithelial type. Biphasic is a mesothelioma that is composed of epithelial as well as sarcomatoid cells, which is responsible for 30 to 40% of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, chest pain, and breathing problems. These symptoms can be similar to other ailments. It is crucial to consult a doctor immediately when you notice them. Treatment for mesothelioma may help alleviate symptoms, slow tumor development and help patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Palliative care is offered for patients and helps manage pain and discomfort. Doctors continue to investigate ways to treat mesothelioma and how it spreads. The latest treatments include immunotherapy, which uses your body's own immune system to fight cancer. This experimental treatment has proven effective in a number of mesothelioma cases. Patients are also able to take part in clinical trials, which are research studies on new therapies. Often, mesothelioma patients are treated at specialist cancer centers where they are able to consult with doctors who are experienced in treating the condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma-related diagnosis is the first step to receiving treatment that could prolong your life. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from. This is important because the three mesothelioma cell types respond differently to treatment. Your doctor may order an X-ray of your chest or CT scan as the first test. During this procedure, you lie on tables while the Xray or CT machine produces a detailed picture of your chest and the surrounding organs. A small dose of dye, typically iodine, is typically administered prior to the procedure. This makes the tissue of your chest or abdomen lighter and easier to observe. You may be asked to take a the test of breathing at this period of time. If these tests show an indication of a tumor or mass that could be cancerous, your physician may require biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing a sample of the tumor or mass, either surgically or by inserting needles into the region. The specimen is then examined under a microscope to look for mesothelioma-like cells. Our specialists can use ultrasound to identify lymph nodes that are enlarged that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is called endobronchial ultrasound-guided aspiration, also known as EBNA. This procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. A specialist in mesothelioma must also know your stage of the disease. The stages are determined based on how the cancer has spread and what type of mesothelioma you have. Finding a reliable diagnosis from a mesothelioma expert is the best way to make sure that you receive the proper treatment. Treatment The mesothelioma patient's treatment plan is determined by the extent of their disease and their overall health. Patients who have mesothelioma usually receive multimodal treatment, which can include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. The first step to treat mesothelioma begins with an examination on the body and advising the doctor about any previous exposure to asbestos. Doctors will also order images and blood tests to determine if mesothelioma is present and rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography) and mediastinoscopy. Surgery is an option for the majority of pleural mysothelioma cases. A patient can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure called video-assisted needle biopsy, or CT-guided thoracoscopic surgery. Both surgeries can reduce symptoms and improve the life expectancy of a patient. Chemotherapy is a therapy that makes use of drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from expanding. It is a standard mesothelioma therapy and can extend the life expectancy of patients. It can be administered through intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form. Radiation is another mesothelioma therapy that can kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is used to treat pleural cancers at different stages, and also to relieve pain and prolong the lifespan of patients. In the late stages of mesothelioma treatment, doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to extend the lifespan of patients as long as is feasible. Palliative care is the name for this type of treatment. Although the average mesothelioma survival rate is very low however, there are many who have survived. For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1982, lived for an additional 20 years until he passed away from complications from another illness. Signs and symptoms A lot of people with mesothelioma suffer symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. Early symptoms may be misinterpreted as a sign of other ailments or ignored. If you experience any of these symptoms it is crucial to see your physician immediately. The organs in your body are surrounded by mesothelium, which is a layer of skin. This layer keeps them from rubbing together. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium cells that form the lining of many of your organs. The majority of cases of mesothelioma start in the lining around the lungs, but it can also occur in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around your testicles (tunica vaginalis). The first signs of mesothelioma are fatigue, chest pain, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up in the chest wall and lungs which can cause an edema called pleural. baton rouge mesothelioma law firm could put pressure on the lungs, causing difficulty breathing and a cough. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after taking an individual's medical history before doing an exam. They may request chest X-rays to determine if there are any abnormalities, such as thickening of the lung's lining or fluid accumulation on the chest wall. They can also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to get a closer look at your lung and other tissues of your body. They can also remove the fluid that collects in the pleura or the peritoneum by using an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure. A biopsy can assist in determining the type of mesothelioma cell that is forming the tumor and how fast it is growing. This can help doctors determine the most effective treatment options. Treatment, radiation, and surgery are the three main types of standard mesothelioma treatments. Prevention Mesothelioma cannot be prevented but you can decrease the risk by avoiding asbestos and staying away from those with it. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer, as well as other diseases that affect the lining of specific organs. There are many kinds of mesothelioma and some are more serious than others. Certain types of mesothelioma may be easier to treat. Asbestos is one of the minerals that are made up of thin microscopic fibers. It was used in industrial and construction products by manufacturers who were not aware of the dangers it posed. Blue-collar workers and veterans were especially exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been proven to be a risk and you should never reside in a house or work in an old factory which has asbestos. Talk to your doctor about regular screenings if you have a past history of exposure to asbestos. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can detect problems in your abdomen or lungs. A biopsy may also reveal cancer in the chest's lining or stomach. Doctors can analyze tissue samples from this area to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma. You could have pleural melanoma that affects the lining of your lungs. Other kinds include peritoneal mysothelioma, testicular mesothelioma or pericardial melot. After exposure to asbestos, it can take many years before mesothelioma is diagnosed. Even so, it can be difficult to determine. It is often mistakenly diagnosed as a condition or illness such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or cancer. This can prevent you getting the proper treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and developing tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatment and a greater survival rate. Genetic tests are used to identify those most likely to develop the disease.