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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma, a cancerous condition caused by asbestos exposure is a naturally occurring cancer. The disease typically develops years after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma by using chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types. The stage and type of cells in the tumor impact the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the mesothelium, thin layer of tissue is the lining of internal organs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos which is a group of fibrous minerals. The most common exposure to asbestos occurs when people inhale or swallow asbestos fibers. The asbestos particles stick to the linings of organs and cause irritation. They can also cause tumors. Mesothelioma is detected when doctors study the tumors and take a sample of tissue, known as biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified by type based on the type of cell found in the tumours. The three types are epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Epithelial mesothelioma is the most common form that accounts for about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10 percent of cases, and has a worse prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic is a mesothelioma that is composed of both epithelial and sarcomatoid cells, which can be found in 30% to 40 percent of all diagnoses. The symptoms of mesothelioma can include difficulty breathing and chest pain or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms may be similar to other ailments. It is important to consult a doctor immediately if you experience them. Treatment for mesothelioma may reduce symptoms, slow tumor growth and prolong the lives of patients. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Patients can also receive palliative care to help reduce discomfort and pain. allen mesothelioma lawyer continue to explore ways to treat mesothelioma and how it grows. Immunotherapy is an innovative treatment that uses your own immune system to fight cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise for certain mesothelioma patients. Patients may also participate in clinical trials, which are research studies of new treatments. Patients suffering from mesothelioma are usually treated at cancer centers that have physicians who treat this condition. Diagnosis The first step to receive treatment to prolong your life is to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your doctor will begin the process by reviewing your symptoms and health history and determining the type of mesothelioma that you have. This is crucial because the three primary mesothelioma cell types respond differently to treatment. The first test your doctor may order is a chest X-ray or CT scan. During the procedure, you lie on tables while the Xray or CT machine takes a clear image of your chest and the organs surrounding it. A small dose of dye, typically iodine, is usually administered prior to the procedure. This makes the tissue of your abdomen or chest lighter and easier to observe. You might also be asked to perform a breath tests during this period of time. If these tests reveal the possibility of a cancerous tumor or mass, your doctor will probably require the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing a sample of the mass or tumor either surgically or by inserting an instrument into the site. The specimen is then examined under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma cells. Our doctors may employ ultrasound to identify the presence of lymph nodes that have enlarged which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. This procedure is performed as an outpatient treatment, so you can go home the same day. A specialist in mesothelioma must also know the stage of the cancer. The stages are determined based on how far the cancer has spread, and the type of mesothelioma you have. A precise diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist is the best way to ensure that you receive the correct treatment. Treatment A patient's mesothelioma treatment plan depends on how far the disease has progressed and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients usually receive multimodal therapy which is a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma is an examination of the body and telling your doctor about any asbestos exposure you might have been exposed to in the past. Doctors can also request blood tests or imaging scans to detect mesothelioma and rule out any other diseases. 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 surgery. Both surgeries can alleviate symptoms and improve a patient's life expectancy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent them from growing. It is a common mesothelioma treatment and can prolong the survival of patients. It is available as an intravenous drip (IV) or in pill form. Radiation is a different mesothelioma treatment which can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors. It is used to treat pleural cancer in different stages, as well as to relieve pain and prolong the life span of patients. In the latter stages of mesothelioma, doctors usually focus on reducing symptoms and prolonging the life of patients for as long as they can. This kind of treatment is called palliative care. While the mesothelioma average survival rate is low however, there are many who have survived. For example, 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 a different illness. Signs and symptoms Many patients with mesothelioma experience symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. The initial symptoms are similar to those experienced by other diseases and it is easy to ignore or confuse them for minor ailments. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to see your physician immediately. The organs of your body are covered in mesothelium which is a type of layer. This layer prevents them from touching each the other. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that targets mesothelium, the cell that line your organs. The lining around your lungs is the most common area where mesothelioma first appears. However, it may develop in the heart (pericardium) as well as in your abdomen (peritoneum) as well as the skin around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The first symptoms of mesothelioma can be breathlessness and chest pain as well as fatigue. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up in the lungs and chest wall resulting in an edema called pleural. A pleural effusion can place pressure on the lungs making coughing difficult and difficult breathing. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through taking an individual's medical history before doing an exam. They can request chest Xrays, which can show signs of abnormalities like thickening the lung lining or a buildup of fluid in the chest wall. They can also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to take an in-depth look at the lung or other tissues within your body. They can also flush any fluid that has accumulated in the pleura or the peritoneum by using an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure. A biopsy will reveal what type of mesothelioma cells are creating the tumor and how they grow. This will allow doctors to determine the most effective treatment options. The three main mesothelioma treatments are radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. The following is a list of precautions. Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can reduce the risk by avoiding individuals who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding them. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer as well as other ailments that affect the lining of specific organs. Many types of mesothelioma exist, and some are more serious than others. Certain types are simpler to treat than others. Asbestos is made up of a group of minerals that have microscopic fibers. Manufacturers used it in construction and other industrial products without knowing about the dangers it poses. Blue-collar workers and veterans were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be a risk and should not be a part of an old factory or work there. If you have a history of exposure to asbestos or asbestos-related diseases, speak with your doctor about undergoing regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners will reveal any issues in your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy can reveal an abnormality in the lining of your stomach or chest. Doctors will test samples of tissue from this area to determine if you have mesothelioma. There is a possibility that you have pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of your lungs. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma or testicular mesothelioma. It can take several years for mesothelioma's growth to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Even so, it can be difficult to identify. It often is misdiagnosed as a different condition or illness such as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. This could prevent you from receiving the correct treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and developing tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatment and a higher survival rate. Genetic tests are used to identify those most likely to develop the disease.