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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is associated with exposure to asbestos which is a mineral that occurs naturally. The disease usually develops many years after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma with chemotherapy radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types. The type of cells that is responsible for the tumor and its stage affects prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that forms in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that linings organs within the body. It is caused by asbestos, a grouping of fibrous minerals. Asbestos exposure happens when people swallow or inhale small fibers. The asbestos particles stick to the organ's linings and can cause irritation, which then causes tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma is able to be made by a doctor after they have examined the tumors and obtain a tissue sample, also known as biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified by type according to the type of cells seen in the tumours. The three types are epithelial sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Epithelial mesothelioma is by far the most frequent type which accounts for approximately 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10 percent of cases and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic Mesothelioma can be described as a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones. It is responsible for 30 to 40 percent of all diagnoses. Symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathing difficulties, chest pain or pain in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to symptoms of other illnesses, which is why it is imperative to see a doctor if you have them. Treatment for mesothelioma may alleviate symptoms, slow tumour growth and prolong the lives of patients. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Patients can also seek palliative care, which can help to manage discomfort and pain. Doctors continue to research ways to treat mesothelioma as well as how it spreads. Immunotherapy is an innovative treatment that utilizes your immune system to fight cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise for certain mesothelioma patients. Patients can also take part in clinical trials, which are research studies of new treatments. Mesothelioma patients are typically treated at specialist cancer centers where they have the opportunity to get access to doctors with experience treating the condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis is the first step towards receiving treatment that will prolong your life. Your doctors will begin by examining your symptoms and health history before determining what type of mesothelioma you're suffering from. This is crucial because the three main mesothelioma cells types respond differently to treatment. The first test your doctor might order is chest X-rays or CT scan. In this test, you lay on a table while the X-ray or CT machine takes a clear picture of your chest and the organs surrounding it. A small dose of dye, most often iodine is usually administered prior to the procedure. The dye makes the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, which makes it easier to observe. You may also be asked to take breath tests during this period of time. If these tests show a possible cancerous tumor or mass, your doctor will probably request a biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of an area of tissue from the mass or tumor via surgery or by inserting a needle into the area. The sample is then examined under a microscope, looking for mesothelioma-like cells. In certain cases our experts use ultrasound to detect enlarged lymph nodes that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is referred to as endobronchial ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. This procedure is done as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can return home on the next day. A mesothelioma specialist must also know the stage of the disease. The stages are determined by the extent the cancer has spread and the kind of mesothelioma it is. A precise diagnosis by a mesothelioma doctor is the best way to make sure that you receive the right treatment. Treatment A patient's mesothelioma treatment plan is based on how far the disease has advanced and their overall health. Patients with mesothelioma generally receive multimodal treatment, which can include 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 request scans of the blood and imaging to look for mesothelioma and rule out any other ailments. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans; FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) scans and mediastinoscopy (used to examine and test lymph nodes within the chest cavity). The majority of mesothelioma pleural cases can be treated through surgery. Patients can undergo a minimally invasive procedure, such as video-assisted needle biopsy, or CT-guided thoracoscopic surgery. Both surgeries can enhance the lifespan of patients and decrease symptoms. Chemotherapy, a treatment, makes use of drugs to end cancerous cells and prevent them from growing. It is a standard treatment for mesothelioma and can improve survival. It is available in intravenous (IV) drip or pill form. Radiation therapy is another mesothelioma cure which can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors. It is offered at different stages of pleural mesothelioma, as well as to relieve pain and allow patients to live longer. In the final stages of mesothelioma treatment doctors focus on controlling symptoms to prolong the life span of a patient as long as is possible. Palliative care is the term used to describe the process of this kind of treatment. Despite the low rate of survival of mesothelioma there are still many survivors. For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, remained alive for 20 years before passing away due to complications from another disease. Symptoms Many patients with mesothelioma experience symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. The early symptoms are similar to those experienced by other diseases, and it is easy to overlook or mistake them for minor ailments. However, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is essential to consult your physician immediately. Your body's organs are wrapped in a layer of tissue called mesothelium. This layer prevents them from coming into contact. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium cells which form the lining of several of your organs. The lining around your lungs is the most common area where mesothelioma first appears. However, it can also be found in your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) as well as the tissue around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The first signs of mesothelioma may include breathlessness as well as chest pain and fatigue. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up in the chest wall and lungs and cause an effusion in the pleura. Pleural effusions can put pressure on lungs, making coughing difficult and difficult breathing. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through taking a patient's medical history and conducting an examination. They may request chest X-rays which can reveal signs of abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining or the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall. They can also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to take a closer look at your lungs as well as other tissues. They may also drain any fluid that has accumulated in the pleura, or the peritoneum by using an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure. A biopsy may help determine the type of mesothelioma cell that is forming the tumor and the rate at which it is growing. This can help doctors determine the most effective treatment options. Treatment, radiation, and surgery are the three different types of mesothelioma treatment that are commonly used. The following is a list with preventions. Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can lower your chance of developing it by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos, and avoiding it. Exposure to asbestos could cause lung cancer as well as other ailments that can affect the lining of certain organs. There are many types of mesothelioma and some are more serious than others. Certain types of mesothelioma can be easier to treat. Asbestos is one of the minerals with tiny micro-sized fibers. Manufacturers used asbestos in construction and other industrial products without being aware of its potential dangers. Blue-collar and veteran workers were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be hazardous and you shouldn't stay in an old building or work in it. If kansas city mesothelioma attorneys have any history of exposure to asbestos or asbestos-related diseases, speak with your doctor about getting regular screening. X-rays as well as CT or MRI scans can help identify problems with your lungs and abdomen. A biopsy may also help identify an abnormality in the chest's lining or stomach. Doctors can then analyze a tissue sample from the same area to determine if you have mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma that affects your lungs' membrane. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma or testicular mesothelioma. After exposure to asbestos It can take a number of years before mesothelioma is diagnosed. Even then, it's difficult to detect. It often is misdiagnosed as another illness or condition such as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. This could prevent you from receiving the proper treatment. Researchers are working on improving the diagnosis of cancer and developing tests to detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead better treatments and a higher rate of survival. Genetic testing is used to determine those who are most likely the disease.