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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure is a naturally occurring cancer. The disease is usually diagnosed several decades after exposure. The treatment for mesothelioma is chemotherapy radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three kinds. The stage and type of cells in the tumor can affect the prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, forms in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that covers organs within the body. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a class of fibrous minerals. Asbestos exposure occurs when people swallow or inhale stray fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the organ's linings and can cause irritation, which then causes tumors. Mesothelioma is identified when doctors examine the tumors and take a sample of tissue, known as biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of cells are found in the tumors. The three mesothelioma types are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid) biphasic, sarcomatoid, and epithelial. Epithelial mesothelioma is responsible for around 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma makes up 10 percent of cases and has a lower prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic Mesothelioma is a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid. It accounts for 30 to 40 percent of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, abdominal pain, and breathing problems. These symptoms can be similar to other ailments. It is essential to see a doctor right away in the event that you experience any of these. Treatment for mesothelioma may improve symptoms, reduce tumour growth and allow patients to live longer. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients can also receive palliative care, which helps reduce discomfort and pain. Doctors are still researching ways to treat mesothelioma and how it grows. Immunotherapy is a novel treatment that uses your own immune system to fight cancer. This experimental treatment has proven effective in a number of mesothelioma cases. Patients can also take part in clinical trials, which are studies of new treatments. Mesothelioma patients are typically treated in specialist cancer centers, where they can find doctors with expertise in treating the condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis is the initial step to receiving treatment that will prolong your life span. Your doctors will begin the process by reviewing your symptoms and health history and determining the type of mesothelioma in your body. This is important because the three main mesothelioma cells react differently to treatment. Your doctor may recommend an X-ray of the chest or CT scan as the first test. During the test, you lay on a table while the X-ray machine or CT scan produces a precise image of your chest and the surrounding organs. A small injection of a dye, usually iodine, is typically administered prior the procedure. This will make the tissue in your chest and abdomen lighter, which makes it easier to be able to. You may also be asked to perform a breath tests during this period of time. If these tests reveal a possible cancerous tumor or mass, your doctor will probably take a biopsy. A biopsy is the removal samples from the mass or tumor, either by surgery or by inserting an needle into the area. The specimen is then examined under a microscope, looking for mesothelioma tumor cells. In certain instances our experts use ultrasound to find lymph nodes that have enlarged, which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is called endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, or EBNA. It is done on an outpatient basis, so you are able to go home the same day. A mesothelioma expert will also be able to determine the stage of mesothelioma. The stages are determined by the extent the cancer has spread and what mesothelioma type it is. Getting an accurate diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist is the best way to ensure that you get the right treatment. Treatment A patient's mesothelioma treatment plan is based on how far the disease has advanced and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients typically receive multimodal therapy which is a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The first step to treat mesothelioma is to undergo an examination for physical health and telling the doctor about any prior exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also order blood tests or imaging scans to determine if mesothelioma is present and rule out any other ailments. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans; FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography) scans and mediastinoscopy (used to examine and test lymph nodes inside the chest cavity). Surgery is an option for the majority of pleural mysothelioma cases. Patients can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure called video-assisted surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can alleviate symptoms and improve the patient's life expectancy. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent them from growing. It is the standard treatment for mesothelioma and can help extend survival. It is administered via intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form. Radiation is a different mesothelioma treatment which can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors. It is offered at various 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 prolong the lifespan of patients as long as they can. Palliative care is the name of this type of treatment. Despite the poor survival rate of mesothelioma there are still a lot of survivors. For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, remained alive for 20 years until he passed away due to complications from another disease. Symptoms Many people suffering from mesothelioma show symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. Early symptoms can be misinterpreted as a sign of other ailments or overlooked. If you do experience any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult your doctor as soon as possible. The organs of your body are protected by mesothelium, which is a layer of skin. This layer keeps them from touching each other. Mesothelioma can affect the mesothelium cell which form the lining of a number of your organs. The majority of cases of mesothelioma start in the lining around your lungs, but it can also occur in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around testicles (tunica vaginalis). The first symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain, fatigue, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid accumulation in the chest wall or lungs, resulting in an pleural effusion. A pleural effusion can put pressure on the lungs, leading to coughing difficulties and breathing problems. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by taking a patient's medical history and doing an exam. They may order chest Xrays to detect abnormalities like thickening in the lining of the lungs or the buildup of fluid on the chest wall. You can also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to take a closer look at your lungs or other tissues. They may also eliminate any fluid that has accumulated in the pleura or peritoneum with an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure. A biopsy can help determine the type of mesothelioma cell that is forming the tumor and the rate at which it is growing. This can help doctors decide on the best treatment options. The three mesothelioma types include radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can reduce your risk by avoiding those who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding the area. Exposure to asbestos could cause lung cancer and other illnesses that affect the lining of certain organs. There are a variety of types of mesothelioma. Some are more serious than others. Certain types of mesothelioma can be easier to treat. Asbestos is a group minerals with microscopic fibers. It was used in industrial and construction equipment by manufacturers who were not aware of its dangers. Blue-collar workers and veterans were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been shown to be a danger and should not be a part of an old factory or work in it. If you have an history of exposure to asbestos, consult with your doctor about getting regular screening. X-rays as well as CT or MRI scans can help spot problems with your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy can also reveal the presence of a tumor in the chest or stomach. Doctors can then test a tissue sample from the same area to determine if you have mesothelioma. You could have pleural msothelioma that affects your lungs' membrane. Other kinds include peritoneal melanoma, pericardial mesothelioma or testicular mesothelioma. After asbestos exposure It can take a number of years before mesothelioma is diagnosed. Even then, it may be hard to diagnose. peoria mesothelioma attorney is often mistakenly diagnosed as a condition or illness like lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This can mean that you are not getting the correct treatment. Researchers are working on improving the diagnosis of cancer and developing tests to detect mesothelioma sooner. This could lead to better treatment and a greater survival rate. Genetic testing is used to determine those most likely to develop the disease.