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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesotheliomarelated symptoms are first observed doctors will conduct imaging scans to determine whether a patient is suffering from possible cancerous growths on their abdomen or chest Mesothelioma is a common cause of other illnesses like lung cancer or pneumonia that can lead to confusion in diagnosis A biopsy is taken by the doctor to identify mesothelioma There are three primary mesothelioma cell types epithelial epidermal sarcomatoid sarcoma and biphasic Each type responds to treatment differently and has a different impact on the life expectancy Diagnosis Doctors will perform several tests when mesothelioma is suspected This includes chest Xrays CT scans and biopsies The Xray shows the accumulation of fluid on one side of the chest This is known as pleural effusion and is usually the first indication of mesothelioma However Xrays arent the most reliable way to identify the disease A chest CT scan is the next step This will create a detailed image of your organs and lungs A doctor can inject you with a color which will highlight areas of potential cancer During the CT scanner you will be lying on a bed and passed through a doughnut shaped scanner The procedure is only some minutes and is not uncomfortable for those who suffer from claustrophobia In some instances doctors will also conduct an MRI The scans produce highquality images with radio waves and strong magnetic fields An MRI can be used to detect a mesothelioma affecting the diaphragm as well as determine its stage Certain patients might also require an PET scan You will be given a radioactive dye in this test Cancer cells will absorb the dye more than healthy cells and consequently appear brighter in the images A biopsy is the final test to confirm mesothelioma A doctor will take a small amount of the affected lining which will then be tested under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and can be done with surgery or by inserting the needle using an CT scan If the biopsy results show mesothelioma your doctor will then utilize the results of the other tests to determine the stage The stage is the measure of how far mesothelioma spread and what types of treatment are most suitable for you This guide includes a section titled Staging that will give you more information about staging Treatment There are many treatment options for mesothelioma Some can improve the quality of life and extend the duration of time than other Mesothelioma patients should discuss their goals with their medical team to determine the most effective method Surgery can be used to treat mesothelioma In this procedure surgeons attempt to remove all cancerous tissues However if mesothelioma is in an advanced stage its unlikely surgeons will be able to completely remove the tumor In any case surgeons can minimize the symptoms The most common mesothelioma form is pleural mesothelioma which forms in the lining around the lungs In certain instances there is a possibility that a person develops mesothelioma that is located in the membrane around the heart pericardial mesothelioma Rarely mesothelioma affects the testicles Mesothelioma is treated by chemotherapy and radiation The treatments are usually provided by mesothelioma specialists at specialist centers Chemotherapy is a method of killing mesothelioma tumor cells and stop their growth Cisplatin and pemetrexed are the standard firstline drug combination for pleural mesothelioma Radiation therapy utilizes highenergy beams to kill cancerous cells This treatment is often used in conjunction with other mesothelioma treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery This treatment can also be used for any microscopic mesothelioma left behind by the surgeons after surgery Mesothelioma patients can suffer from many different side effects from these treatments These symptoms include nausea fatigue and even hair loss A mesothelioma specialist can help patients choose the best medication for their requirements They can also suggest alternative ways to improve a patients quality of living This can include regular drainage of the pleura to ease breathing or strong painkillers cleveland mesothelioma lawyer should ensure they inform their medical professional of any other medications they are taking including supplements herbs or prescription medications This will help avoid any potentially harmful interactions between these medications Prognosis Mesothelioma also referred to as mesothelioma in the pleural area is a cancerous tumor that affects the membrane that lines the bodys cavities such as the chest cavity and abdomen When a person has mesothelioma malignant cells can form in the mesothelium which may extend to other areas of the body and cause symptoms such as breathing difficulties or pain A specialist doctors diagnosis of mesothelioma is vital because it is the first step towards receiving treatment It may take multiple steps to diagnose mesothelioma including a physical exam and lab tests as well as the biopsy A biopsy takes a small sample of the tumor or mass in order to detect mesothelioma Getting a mesothelioma misdiagnosis is extremely risky as it could delay treatment and make it more difficult to predict Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because the symptoms are similar to those of lung cancer bronchitis or pneumonia Because of this mesothelioma is often mistakenly identified as a respiratory issue The prognosis for mesothelioma varies according to the type and the stage of mesothelioma as well as the patients age and general health as well as medical history There is no cure for mesothelioma however the cancer can be controlled through surgery chemotherapy and radiation therapy Palliative treatment can be offered to patients to control symptoms such as fatigue pain and other signs The mesothelioma level of a patient is a reference to how the disease has progressed and how much of it has already moved to other areas of the body The doctor will apply his or best judgment in determining the stage taking into consideration the symptoms and the rate of growth of the cancer The mesothelioma survival rate is contingent on the patients stage and type of cancer and location Those diagnosed with the lesscommon types of mesothelioma have lower chance of survival Patients with peritoneal cancer for example have a better chance of living a longer life because it is more likely to develop in the abdomen than pleural mesothelioma does in the chest In addition patients who are tolerant for treatment may live longer than those with an intolerant People with peritoneal Msothelioma have had excellent results when they combined surgery chemotherapy and radiation Signs and symptoms Asbestos fibers can create tumors in organs if they are taken inhaled or swallowed Mesothelioma is the most common type of cancer in the lungs However it can also develop in the chest wall abdomen and testicles in men Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not evident until 40 to 50 years after exposure The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to take a detailed history about asbestos exposure The doctor will then conduct an examination and review your symptoms A chest Xray could reveal abnormal swelling of the pleura or fluid that is located between the lung and the chest wall A lung CT scan can be utilized to check for mesothelioma or other cancers of the lungs You can undergo blood tests to assess the health of your liver and kidneys The doctor could also suggest an abdominal MRI or a PET scan to determine other mesothelioma and cancers of the lungs chest wall or abdomen If it is determined that a biopsy is needed doctors can remove it through surgery or by inserting a needle in the chest wall while under local anesthesia The doctor will then examine the area under the magnifying glass to determine if this is malignant mesothelioma or a different kind of cancer The information from the tests will allow doctors to determine the extent of mesothelioma after a diagnosis They will assign a staging number for mesothelioma This can be useful in planning your treatment They are not cancerous and they dont have the potential to grow back after removal surgically They typically form in the abdominal lining of the pleura Because it affects the heart mesothelioma that forms in the pericardium can be more difficult to treat It is also possible to recur after surgery Mesothelioma could also spread to other areas of the body like the lymph nodes or the bones outside the chest and abdomen It can be hard to diagnose mesothelioma because of the similarity of symptoms to other conditions that are not as serious This can result in confusion and delay treatment In the event of delay treatment may lead to complications and reduce the chance of surviving
