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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesothelioma first becomes apparent doctors request imaging scans to check for any cancerous growths on the abdomen or chest Mesothelioma may mimic other diseases such as lung cancer or pneumonia leading to the wrong diagnosis A biopsy will be performed by a doctor to determine mesothelioma There are three primary mesothelioma cell types epithelial epidermal the sarcomatoid sarcoma and biphasic Each type responds differently treatment and affects life expectancy Diagnosis If mesothelioma is suspected doctors will run several tests to confirm the diagnosis These include chest Xrays CT scans and biopsies The Xray shows a buildup of fluid on one side of the chest This is known as the pleural effusion and is usually the first manifestation of mesothelioma However Xrays arent the most reliable method to diagnose the condition The next step is the chest CT scan which will give you a an image of your lungs and other organs A doctor will inject you with a dye to highlight any areas that could be cancerous During the CT scan you will be passed through a doughnutshaped scanner while lying on the bed The procedure takes just a few moments and is not uncomfortable for those who suffer from claustrophobia In certain situations a doctor might conduct an MRI test These scans use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create highquality images of soft tissues like the lungs An MRI can be used to determine if there is a mesothelioma affecting the diaphragm as well as determine the stage of the disease Certain patients might also require a PET scan In this test youll be given a shot of the radioactive dye Cancer cells absorb dye more than healthy cells Therefore they will show up more prominently on the images A biopsy is the last test to confirm mesothelioma A doctor will take a small sample of the lining that is affected which will then be tested under a microscope to determine whether cancerous cells are present This can be done under local anaesthesia and by using the CT scan or needle If the biopsy confirms mesothelioma the doctor will then consider the results of other tests to determine its stage The stage is the measurement of the size of the mesothelioma and which treatment is most suitable for you Learn more about staging by reading the section in the guide titled Staging Treatment A variety of treatment options are available for mesothelioma Some may improve quality of life and extend the life span of time than other Patients suffering from mesothelioma should talk about their goals and figure out the most effective treatment plan Surgery is a method to treat mesothelioma Surgeons try to remove all cancerous tissue during the procedure If mesothelioma is at an advanced stage doctors may not be able remove the cancer completely Regardless surgeons can still reduce the symptoms The most prevalent mesothelioma type is found in the lining of the lungs In some instances a person may develop mesothelioma in the membrane surrounding the heart pericardial mesothelioma In rare instances there is also the possibility that a person could have mesothelioma affecting the testicles testicular mesothelioma Mesothelioma is treatable with chemotherapy and radiation therapy These treatments are usually administered by mesothelioma experts in special centers Chemotherapy is a treatment that utilizes drugs to kill mesothelioma cancer cells and stop their growth Pemetrexed and cisplatin are common firstline combination of drugs for pleural msothelioma Radiation therapy utilizes highenergy beams to kill cancerous cell This procedure is usually used in conjunction with other mesothelioma treatment like surgery and chemotherapy This treatment is also applied to any mesothelioma that is microscopic left behind by the surgeons after surgery These treatments can have a variety of side effects on mesothelioma patients The symptoms include nausea fatigue and hair loss A mesothelioma expert can help a patient find the right medication that meets their specific requirements They may also suggest other methods to improve the patients quality of life This could include regular lymphatic drainage to ease breathing or powerful painkillers Patients should inform their physicians know about any other medications for example supplements herbal remedies or overthe counter drugs This will help avoid dangers from interactions with these drugs Prognosis Mesothelioma a form of cancer affects the mesothelium which is a membrane that lines the bodys cavities including the abdominal cavity and chest When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma malignant cells can form in the tissue which can be spread to other parts of the body causing symptoms such as breathing problems or pain A specialist doctors diagnosis of mesotheliomas importance because it is the first step to receiving treatment Mesothelioma diagnosis can be made in multiple ways including through physical examination lab tests and the biopsy A biopsy is a small sample taken from the tumor or mass to check for mesothelioma If you are misdiagnosed with mesothelioma it could be very dangerous as it could delay treatment and deteriorate the prognosis Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because the symptoms are similar to those of lung cancer pneumonia or bronchitis Because of this mesothelioma gets misdiagnosed as a respiratory condition The outlook for mesotheliomas patients is contingent on the type and stage along with age general health and medical history The cancer can be treated by chemotherapy surgery and radiation therapy Palliative treatment can be offered for patients to control symptoms such as fatigue pain and other symptoms The mesothelioma staging stage of a patient refers to how the disease has progressed and how much of it has already moved to other areas of the body The doctor will make use of his or their best judgment when determining the stage taking into account the symptoms and the rate of growth of the cancer The survival rate for mesothelioma depends on the stage of the patient the type of cancer and the location Those diagnosed with the lesscommon types of mesothelioma have lower chance of survival Patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma for example have a higher chance of surviving longer due to the fact that it tends to shrink slower in the abdomen than mesothelioma that is pleural in the chest Additionally patients with a high tolerance for treatment might live longer than patients with less tolerance For instance some patients with peritoneal mesotheliomas have had good results after a combination of surgical removal chemotherapy and radiation Symptoms When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed they stick to the organs lining and can cause them to form tumors Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs however it can also develop in the chest wall abdomen and testicles in men Mesothelioma symptoms usually dont manifest until 4050 years after exposure clearwater mesothelioma law firm in diagnosing mesothelioma is taking a background of exposure to asbestos Your doctor will perform an examination and examine your symptoms A chest Xray can show abnormal thickening of the pleura or fluid in the space between the lungs and the chest wall A lung CT scan could also be used to test for mesothelioma or other types of cancer of the lungs You can undergo blood tests to check on the health of your kidneys and liver The doctor may recommend an chest MRI or a PET scan to check for other possible cancers or mesothelioma that is located in the lungs or chest wall If a biopsy is required doctors can remove a small sample of the tumor by surgery or the use of a needle through the chest wall under local anesthesia The doctor will then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if this is malignant mesothelioma or a different kind of cancer Following a diagnosis of mesothelioma doctors will use the information gathered from all tests to help them assess how advanced the cancer is They will assign mesothelioma a staging number which can be important in the planning of your treatment Benign mesotheliomas do not cause cancer and cant grow back in the event that they are removed completely surgically They typically form in the abdominal lining or pleura Mesothelioma in the pericardium is more difficult to treat because it affects the heart It is also possible to recur after surgery Mesothelioma could also spread to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes and bones outside the chest and abdomen The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to the symptoms of other less severe conditions This can make it difficult to recognize This can result in incorrect diagnosis and delay treatment Delay in treatment could cause complications and decrease the chance of surviving
