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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancerous affliction caused by asbestos exposure is a naturally occurring cancer. The disease usually develops over the course of years after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three kinds. The type of cancerous cell forms the tumor and its stage affects prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that develops in the mesothelium thin layer of tissue linings internal organs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos which is a group of fibrous minerals. Asbestos exposure occurs when people swallow or inhale small fibers. These asbestos particles stick to the lining of organs and cause irritation, which leads to tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma can be made by doctors after they look at the tumors and obtain a tissue sample, also known as a biopsy. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the kind of cells are present in the tumors. The three mesothelioma types are epithelial (also known as sarcomatoid) triphasic, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Epithelial mesothelioma is by far the most common type that accounts for about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma represents 10 percent of all cases and has a lower prognosis compared to the epithelial. Biphasic Mesothelioma can be described as a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid. It is responsible for 30-40% of all diagnoses. The symptoms of mesothelioma can include breathing difficulties and chest pain as well as pain in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to those experienced by other diseases, so it is essential to consult a doctor if you have these symptoms. The treatment for mesothelioma could improve symptoms, slow tumour development and help patients live longer. Treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Palliative care is accessible to patients, which helps to manage discomfort and pain. Doctors continue to investigate ways to treat mesothelioma and how it spreads. New treatments include immunotherapy, which uses your body's immune system to fight cancer. This is an experimental treatment that has shown promise in certain mesothelioma patients. Patients can also take part in clinical trials, which are studies on new therapies. Mesothelioma patients are typically treated in specialist cancer centers where they can access doctors who have experience treating the disease. Diagnosis The first step towards receiving treatment to prolong your life span is to get a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your doctor will look over your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma that you have. This information is essential because the three primary mesothelioma cell types respond differently to treatment. The first test that your doctor might order is a chest X-ray or CT scan. In this test, you lie on a table as the X-ray or CT machine creates a detailed image of your chest as well as the organs that surround it. Prior to the procedure, a small amount of dye, usually iodine, is given. The dye makes the tissue in your chest or abdomen lighter, making it easier to see. During this time, you may be asked to do breathing tests. If these tests show an indication of a tumor or mass that is cancerous, your doctor may require biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of the sample from the mass or tumor, either by surgery or by inserting a needle into the region. The specimen is then examined under a microscope to determine if mesothelioma is present. Our doctors may employ ultrasound to identify lymph nodes that have enlarged that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle biopsy or EBNA. The procedure is performed as an outpatient, so you are able to return home the same day. A mesothelioma specialist will also need to know your stage of the cancer. The stages are determined by the extent to which the cancer has spread and which kind of mesothelioma it is. Getting an accurate diagnosis by a mesothelioma doctor is the best way to make sure that you receive the correct treatment. Treatment The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients will depend on how far the disease has advanced and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients usually receive multimodal therapy that consists of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma is to undergo an examination on the body and advising the doctor about any past exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also recommend imaging scans or blood tests to detect mesothelioma and rule out any other conditions. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans, FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) and mediastinoscopy. Surgery is a viable option for most pleural mesothelioma cases. Patients can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure called video-assisted needle biopsy or CT-guided thoracoscopic surgical. Both surgeries can boost the patient's life expectancy as well as alleviate symptoms. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells and stop them from advancing. It is a standard mesothelioma treatment, and can prolong the life expectancy of patients. It is available in intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form. Radiation is another mesothelioma treatment which can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors. It can be administered at different stages of pleural mesothelioma and also to ease the pain and make patients live longer. In the final stages of mesothelioma treatment doctors focus on controlling symptoms to extend the lifespan of a patient as long as is possible. This type of treatment is called palliative treatment. Although the average mesothelioma survival rate is very low, there are many survivors. For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, lived another 20 years before passing away due to complications from another disease. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is a cancer that can manifest symptoms for weeks or even years prior to an official diagnosis is made. Early symptoms may be mistaken for other ailments or ignored. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important that you see your doctor right away. Organs in your body are encased in a tissue layer called mesothelium. This layer stops them from coming into contact. Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects mesothelium, the cells that line your organs. The lining around your lung is the primary place where mesothelioma begins. However, it may develop in the heart (pericardium), abdomen (peritoneum) as well as the lining around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The initial signs of mesothelioma are chest pain, fatigue and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also trigger fluid accumulation in the lungs or chest wall and cause an effusion in the pleura. A pleural effusion could put pressure on lungs, causing coughing and difficulty breathing. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting an examination. They may ask for chest X-rays which may reveal abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining, or the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall. They may also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to take a closer look at your lungs and other tissues. They can also remove any fluid that collects in the pleura or the peritoneum through an ultrasound-guided aspiration procedure. A biopsy can help identify the mesothelioma type that is forming the tumor, and how fast it is growing. This can help doctors determine the most effective treatment options. The three mesothelioma treatments are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can reduce your risk by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos, and avoiding it. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer as well as other ailments that affect organ linings. There are many types of mesothelioma and some of them are more serious than others. Certain types are simpler to treat than others. Asbestos is a class of minerals that are made up of thin micro-sized fibers. Manufacturers used asbestos in construction and other industrial products without knowing about the dangers it poses. Blue-collar workers and veterans were especially exposed to asbestos. fremont mesothelioma attorneys is now recognized to be a risk and should not reside in a house or work in an old factory which has asbestos. If you have an history of exposure to asbestos, talk with your doctor about getting regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can identify problems in your abdomen or lungs. A biopsy can also identify an abnormality in the chest or stomach. Doctors can then examine the tissue sample from that region to determine whether you are suffering from mesothelioma. There is a chance that you have pleural mesothelioma that affects the 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 begins to develop. Even if it does, it can be difficult to recognize. It often is misdiagnosed as a different condition or illness such as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. This could hinder you from receiving the appropriate treatment. Researchers are working on improving diagnosis and developing tests that detect mesothelioma sooner. This could lead to better treatments and a higher rate of survival. Genetic tests are used to determine those who are most likely to develop the disease.