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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is associated with exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral. The disease typically develops decades after exposure. The treatment of mesothelioma by doctors is chemotherapy radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types. The type of cells that forms the tumor and its stage determines the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? The cancerous mesothelioma forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue lining organs within the body). It is caused by exposure to asbestos which is a group of fibrous minerals. Asbestos is a risk when people take in or breathe in stray fibers. The asbestos particles stick to the linings of organs, irritate them and cause tumors. Mesothelioma is identified when doctors examine these tumors and then take a sample of tissue, known as biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified according to the kind of cells are present in the tumors. The three types of mesothelioma are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid) biphasic, sarcomatoid and epithelial. Epithelial Mesothelioma accounts for about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the cause of 10 percent of cases, and has a poorer prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma consists of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid. It is responsible for 30-40 percent of all diagnoses. Symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathing problems and chest pain as well as pain in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to those experienced by other illnesses, which is why it is crucial to consult a doctor if you have these symptoms. Treatment for mesothelioma can improve symptoms, slow tumour development and help patients to live longer. Treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Palliative care is accessible for patients and helps alleviate discomfort and pain. Doctors are still pursuing ways to treat mesothelioma and the ways it grows. The latest 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. Patients with mesothelioma are often treated at cancer centers that have specialized doctors who treat the condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis is the initial step towards receiving treatment that will prolong your life span. Your doctors will begin by reviewing your health history and symptoms, then determining the type of mesothelioma that you have. This is vital because the three mesothelioma cells react differently to treatment. The doctor may suggest a chest X ray or CT scan as the initial test. During the procedure, you'll lie on a table as the X-ray machine or CT scan produces a precise image of your chest as well as the surrounding organs. Before the procedure, a small dose of dye, typically Iodine is administered. This makes the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, making it easier to see. During this time, you could be asked to do an air test. If these tests show an indication of a tumor or mass that could be cancerous, your doctor could require biopsy. A biopsy involves removing the tumor or mass, either surgically or by inserting needles into the area. The sample is then examined under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma-like cells. Our specialists may use ultrasound to detect enlarged lymph nodes, which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is called endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, or EBNA. The procedure is performed as an outpatient treatment, so you are able to return home the same day. A mesothelioma specialist will also need to determine your mesothelioma's stage. The stages are determined by the extent the cancer has spread and which type of mesothelioma it is. A mesothelioma expert can provide you with a reliable diagnosis to ensure that you get the best treatment. Treatment The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients depends on how much the disease has progressed and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients typically undergo multimodal therapy that consists of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The first step to treating mesothelioma includes an examination and telling your doctor about any asbestos exposures you have experienced in the past. Doctors may also order imaging scans and blood tests to check for mesothelioma, and rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography) scans and mediastinoscopy (used to examine and sample lymph nodes in the chest cavity). Surgery is a viable option for a majority of pleural melanoma cases. Patients may undergo a minimally invasive procedure known as video-assisted surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries are able to reduce symptoms and improve the patient's life expectancy. Chemotherapy utilizes drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from advancing. It is a common mesothelioma treatment and can extend the duration of survival. It is available in intravenous (IV) drip or pill form. Radiation therapy is another mesothelioma cure that can kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can be administered at different stages of pleural mesothelioma in addition to helping to relieve pain and help patients live longer. In the latter stages of mesothelioma treatment doctors focus on controlling symptoms to prolong the lifespan of a patient as long as is feasible. Palliative care is a term used to describe the goal of this kind of treatment. Despite the low survival rate of mesothelioma cancer, there are still a lot of survivors. 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. Symptoms Mesothelioma can cause symptoms months or even years before an official diagnosis is made. The early symptoms are similar to those triggered by other diseases and it's easy to overlook or misinterpret them for minor illnesses. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is essential to consult your doctor immediately. Your body's organs are wrapped in a tissue layer called mesothelium. This layer protects them from colliding. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects mesothelium, which is the cells that line your organs. The lining surrounding your lung is the most frequent site where mesothelioma starts. But, it can also develop in your heart (pericardium) and abdomen (peritoneum) as well as the lining around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The initial signs of mesothelioma include breathlessness as well as chest pain and fatigue. Mesothelioma can also trigger swelling of the lungs or chest wall which can cause an effusion in the pleura. clearwater mesothelioma attorney can put pressure on the lungs, causing difficulty breathing and a cough. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by taking the medical history of the patient and doing an exam. They can request chest Xrays which can reveal signs of abnormalities, such as thickening of lung lining or the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall. They can also order an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to take an examination of your lung or other tissues of your body. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles to drain fluid from the peritoneum and pleura. A biopsy will reveal what kind of mesothelioma cells are forming the tumor and the way they grow. This will help doctors decide the best treatment options. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the three different types of mesothelioma therapies that are common. 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 or other illnesses that affect organ linings. There are many types of mesothelioma. Some are more serious than others. Certain types are simpler to treat than others. Asbestos is a group of minerals that have microscopic fibers. Manufacturers used asbestos in construction and other industrial products, without knowing about the dangers it poses. Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is now known to be hazardous and you should not reside in a residence or work in an old factory that has asbestos. Discuss with your doctor regular screenings if your family has an earlier exposure to asbestos. X-rays as well as CT or MRI scans can identify problems with your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy can identify cancerous tissue in the lining of your stomach or chest. Doctors can test tissue samples from this area to determine if you're suffering from mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma that affects the lungs' lining. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma testicular mesothelioma, or pericardial meso. After exposure to asbestos it could take several years before mesothelioma starts to manifest. Even then, it can be difficult to detect. It is often misdiagnosed as another illness or condition like lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This could hinder you from getting the right treatment. Researchers are trying to improve diagnosis and develop tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatments and a greater survival rate. The research includes using genetic testing to determine those who are most likely to develop mesothelioma.