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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancer associated with exposure to asbestos the mineral that occurs naturally The disease typically develops over the course of 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 cell that forms the tumor and its stage determines the prognosis What is Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the mesothelium a thin layer of tissue that covers organs within the body It is caused by asbestos which is a grouping of fibrous minerals Asbestos is a risk when people swallow or inhale stray fibers These asbestos particles adhere to the linings of organs and cause irritation They can also cause tumors The diagnosis of mesothelioma may be confirmed by doctors when they examine the tumors and collect a tissue sample also called a biopsy Mesothelioma is classified according to type by the type of cells seen in the tumours The three types are epithelial biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma Epithelial mesothelioma is by far the most common form that accounts for about 50 percent of all diagnoses Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma accounts for 10 percent of all cases and has a worse prognosis than epithelial Biphasic Mesothelioma can be described as a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones It is responsible for 3040 of all diagnoses Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain chest pain and breathing problems These symptoms are similar to those experienced by other illnesses which is why it is essential to consult your doctor if you suffer from them Treatment for mesothelioma can improve symptoms reduce tumour growth and allow patients to live longer Treatment options include surgery chemotherapy and radiation therapy Patients may also receive palliative care which helps reduce discomfort and pain Doctors continue to investigate ways to treat mesothelioma and how it spreads Immunotherapy is a brand new treatment that relies on your own immune system to fight cancer This experimental treatment has proven effective in a number of mesothelioma cases Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials which are studies of new treatments The majority of mesothelioma patients will be treated at specialist cancer centers where they can consult with doctors who are experienced in treating the condition Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis can be the first step to receive treatment that could prolong your life span Your doctor will look over your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma that you have This information is important because the three mesothelioma cell types respond differently to treatment Your doctor may order a chest X ray or CT scan as the first test During the test you will lay on a table while the Xray machine or CT scan generates a clear image of your chest as well as the surrounding organs A small dose of a dye typically iodine is usually given before the procedure This makes the tissues in your abdomen or chest lighter making it easier to observe During this time you could be asked to perform a breathing test If these tests show an indication of a tumor or mass that could be cancerous your doctor could request biopsy A biopsy is the process of removing the mass or tumor either surgically or by inserting needles into the area The sample is then examined under a microscope in order to look for mesotheliomalike cells In some cases our specialists use ultrasound to help find lymph nodes that have enlarged which could be mesothelioma This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasoundguided needle biopsy or EBNA It is performed on an outpatient basis so you can return home the same day A mesothelioma specialist must also know the stage of the cancer The stages are determined based on how the cancer has spread and the kind of mesothelioma is present A mesothelioma specialist will give you a precise diagnosis to ensure you receive the appropriate treatment Treatment The mesothelioma treatment for a patient is based on how far the disease has progressed and their overall health Patients suffering from mesothelioma typically receive multimodal treatment that includes surgery chemotherapy and radiation The first step in treating mesothelioma is to undergo an examination of the body and telling your doctor about any asbestos exposures you have had in the past Doctors may also order blood tests and imaging scans to determine if mesothelioma is present and rule out other conditions These include CT computerized tomography scans MRI magnetic resonance imaging scans as well as FDGPET fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission tomography scans and mediastinoscopy used to study and sample lymph nodes that are located in the chest cavity Most pleural cases of mesothelioma can be treated with surgery A patient can undergo a minimallyinvasive procedure referred to as videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery VAT or a CTguided needle biopsy Both surgeries can enhance the life expectancy of a patient and reduce the symptoms Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent them from growing It is a standard treatment for mesothelioma and can extend the duration of survival It can be given via intravenous IV drip or in pill form Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment which can shrink tumors and kill cancer cells It is offered at various stages of pleural mesothelioma and also to ease pain and help patients live longer In the last stages of mesothelioma treatment doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to extend the life span of a patient as long as possible Palliative care is a term used to describe the goal of this kind of treatment While the mesotheliomarelated survival rate is very low however there are many who have survived For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1982 lived another 20 years before dying from complications from another illness Symptoms Many patients with mesothelioma experience symptoms for months or even years before they are diagnosed Early symptoms may be misinterpreted as other illnesses or overlooked If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is essential to consult your doctor immediately The organs of your body are wrapped in a layer of tissue called the mesothelium This layer keeps them from coming into contact Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects mesothelium the cells that line your organs The lining surrounding your lungs is the most common location where mesothelioma develops But it can develop in the heart pericardium abdomen peritoneum as well as the tissue around your testicles tunica vulginalis The initial signs of mesothelioma can be chest pain fatigue and breathlessness Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up in the lungs and chest wall and cause the formation of pleural effusion Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs leading to difficulty breathing and cough Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough medical exam and examining the patients history They may order chest Xrays to look for signs of abnormalities like thickening in the lungs lining or fluid accumulation on the chest wall They can also request a CT scan MRI or PET scan to get a better look at your lungs or other tissues They can also make use of ultrasoundguided needles to remove fluid from the peritoneum and pleura A biopsy can determine which type of mesothelioma cells are growing into the tumor and how they develop This will help doctors decide the best treatment options Treatment radiation and surgery are the three types of mesothelioma therapies that are common The following is a list of preventatives Mesothelioma is not preventable however you can lower your risk by avoiding those who are exposed to asbestos and staying away Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer and other diseases that affect the linings of certain organs There are many types of mesothelioma and some are more serious than others Certain types of mesothelioma are more manageable Asbestos is a group minerals with microscopic fibers Manufacturers used it in industrial and construction products without knowing of its dangers Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were particularly exposed to asbestos Asbestos has been found to be dangerous and should not be a part of an old building or work in it Consult your physician about regular screenings if your family has any previous exposure to asbestos Xrays CT or MRI scanners will reveal any issues in your lungs abdomen or stomach A biopsy may also reveal the presence of a tumor in the lining of your chest or stomach Doctors will then examine the tissue sample taken from the area to determine whether you are suffering from mesothelioma killeen mesothelioma lawyer may have pleural mesothelioma that affects the lining of your lungs Other types include testicular pericardial or peritoneal After asbestos exposure it can take many years before mesothelioma starts to manifest Even then it can be difficult to diagnose It is often mistakenly diagnosed with other conditions or illnesses like pneumonia bronchitis or lung cancer This can prevent you from getting the right treatment Researchers are working to improve the diagnosis of cancer and developing tests to detect mesothelioma earlier This could lead to better treatment and a higher survival rate Genetic testing is used to determine those who are most likely the disease
