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Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer associated with exposure to asbestos the mineral that occurs naturally. The disease is usually diagnosed decades after exposure.

Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Treatment can help patients live longer.

There are three kinds. The stage and the type of cells that make up the tumor impact the prognosis.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the mesothelium, thin layer of tissue that linings organs within the body. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a class of fibrous minerals.

The most common exposure to asbestos occurs when people inhale or swallow asbestos fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the lining of organs and irritate them, leading to tumors. Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors look at these tumors and then take a sample of tissue, known as a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified based on the kind of cells are located in the tumors. The three mesothelioma types are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid) triphasic, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Epithelial mesothelioma has the highest common form which accounts for approximately 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is 10% of all cases and has a poorer prognosis compared to the epithelial. Biphasic is a mesothelioma that is composed of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells, which is responsible for 30 to 40 percent of all diagnoses.

Mesothelioma symptoms can include difficulty breathing and chest pain as well as pain in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to symptoms of other conditions, so it is imperative to see a doctor if you have these symptoms.

The treatment for mesothelioma can help reduce symptoms, slow tumor growth and allow patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Palliative care is available to patients and can help alleviate discomfort and pain.

Doctors continue to explore ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it grows. New treatments include immunotherapy which uses your body's immune system to fight cancer. This experimental treatment has shown promise in certain mesothelioma cases. Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials, which are studies of new treatments. Most often, mesothelioma patients get treated at specialist cancer centers where they have the opportunity to get access to doctors with experience treating the condition.

Diagnosis

The first step in receiving treatment to extend your life span is to get a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from. This is vital because the three primary mesothelioma cells respond differently to treatment.

The first test that your doctor might suggest is chest X-rays or CT scan. During the procedure, you lie on an X-ray table while the or CT machine produces a detailed picture of your chest and the organs surrounding it. A small dose of a dye, usually iodine, is typically administered prior to the procedure. This will make the tissue in your chest and abdomen lighter, which makes it easier to be able to. During this time, you could be asked to take an air test.

If these tests show a possible cancerous tumor or mass the doctor will most likely order an examination for biopsy. A biopsy involves removing the tumor or mass, either surgically or by inserting an instrument into the site. The specimen is then examined under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.

In certain instances our specialists utilize ultrasound to identify lymph nodes that have enlarged, which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound guided needle aspiration or EBNA. It is done on an outpatient basis which means you can return home the same day.

A mesothelioma specialist must also know your stage of the cancer. The stages are determined by how the cancer has spread, and what kind of mesothelioma case type you have. A mesothelioma doctor can provide you with a reliable diagnosis to ensure that you get the best treatment.

Treatment

A patient's mesothelioma treatment plan depends on how much the disease has advanced and their overall health. Patients who have mesothelioma usually receive multimodal treatment, which can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

The first step to treating mesothelioma is to undergo a physical exam and telling your doctor about any asbestos exposure you may have experienced in the past. Doctors can also request imaging scans or blood tests to check for mesothelioma, and to rule out other illnesses. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans, FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography), and mediastinoscopy.

The majority of mesothelioma-related pleural cases can be treated through surgery. A patient can undergo a minimally invasive procedure called video-assisted surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can help reduce symptoms and improve a patient's life expectancy.

Chemotherapy is a therapy that makes use of drugs to eliminate cancerous cells and stop them from growing. It is standard mesothelioma treatment and can improve survival. It is administered via intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form.

Radiation is another mesothelioma therapy that kills cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is used to treat pleural cancer in different stages, as well as to ease pain and prolong the lives of patients.

In the final stages of mesothelioma doctors usually concentrate on reducing symptoms and prolonging the life of patients for as long as they can. Palliative care is a term used to describe the goal of this type of treatment. Despite the low rate of survival of mesothelioma, there's still many survivors. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal peritoneal cancer in 1982. He lived for 20 years before passing away of complications resulting from another illness.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a cancer that can manifest symptoms for that last for months or even years before the diagnosis is made. Early symptoms can be misinterpreted as other illnesses or ignored. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's vital to see your doctor immediately.

The organs of your body are covered by a layer called the mesothelium. This layer protects them from touching. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects mesothelium, which is the cells that line your organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining surrounding your lungs, however it may also be found in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around your testicles (tunica vaginalis).

The first signs of mesothelioma may include fatigue, chest pain, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up in the chest wall and lungs leading to the formation of pleural effusion. A pleural effusion can put pressure on the lungs, leading to coughing difficulties and breathing problems.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma following a thorough medical examination and a review of the patient's medical history. They can request chest Xrays that can reveal abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining or fluid buildup in the chest wall. They can also order an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to get a better look at your lungs as well as other tissues. They can also remove the fluid that collects in the pleura and the peritoneum with an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure.

A biopsy may help determine the mesothelioma type that is forming the tumor and how fast it is growing. This can help doctors determine the best treatment options. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the three types of mesothelioma (try these out) treatments that are standard.

Prevention

Mesothelioma can't be prevented however you can reduce your risk by abstaining from asbestos and staying away from people who have it. Exposure to asbestos may cause lung cancer as well as other ailments that affect organ linings. There are many kinds of mesothelioma and some are more severe than others. Certain types of mesothelioma can be easier to treat.

Asbestos is a group of minerals that contain tiny microscopic fibers. It was used in industrial and construction equipment by manufacturers who were unaware of its dangers. Blue-collar and veteran workers were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been found to be hazardous and you shouldn't live in an old factory or work in it.

Consult your physician about regular screenings if your family has any previous history of exposure to asbestos. X-rays as well as CT or MRI scans can reveal issues with your lungs, or abdomen. A biopsy may also help identify an abnormality in the chest's lining or stomach. Doctors can examine tissue samples from this area to determine if you suffer from mesothelioma. You could have pleural melanoma which affects the lining of your lungs. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma law firm testicular mesothelioma and pericardial mesot.

After exposure to asbestos, it can take many years before mesothelioma begins to develop. Even then, it can be hard to diagnose. It often is misdiagnosed as a different condition or illness like lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This could prevent you from receiving the correct treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and develop tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatments and a greater chance of survival. Genetic tests are used to identify those who are most likely the disease.