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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that can be traced with exposure to asbestos an element that occurs naturally. The disease usually manifests for decades after the exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types. The stage and the type of cells that make up the tumor impact the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? The cancerous mesothelioma forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that line organs within the body). It is caused by asbestos, a grouping of fibrous minerals. Asbestos exposure occurs when individuals swallow or inhale stray asbestos fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to organ linings and can cause irritation, which then causes tumors. Mesothelioma is identified when doctors examine the tumors and collect an x-ray of the tissue, known as biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified according to type depending on the type of cells found in the tumours. The three types are epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Epithelial Mesothelioma accounts for about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the cause of 10 percent of cases, and has a lower prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic Mesothelioma can be described as a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid. It is responsible for 30 to 40 percent of all diagnoses. The symptoms of mesothelioma can include breathing difficulties and chest pain or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms can be similar to other conditions. It is important to consult your doctor immediately whenever you notice these symptoms. The treatment for mesothelioma can help alleviate symptoms, slow tumour growth and help patients live longer. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients can also seek palliative care to help control pain and discomfort. Doctors continue to research ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it grows. New treatments include immunotherapy which uses your body's own immune system to fight cancer. This experimental treatment has shown promise in a few mesothelioma cases. Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials, which are studies of new treatments. Most often, mesothelioma patients get treated in specialist cancer centers where they have the opportunity to access doctors who have experience treating the disease. Diagnosis The first step in receiving treatment to prolong your life span is to get a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your doctor will begin by analyzing your health history and symptoms, then determining the type of mesothelioma that you have. This is crucial as the three mesothelioma primary cell types respond differently to treatment. Your doctor may order an X-ray of your chest or CT scan as the initial test. During the test, you will be lying 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, typically iodine, is usually administered prior to the procedure. This will make the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, which makes it easier to observe. You might be asked to take an exercise in breathing during this time. If these tests show a possible cancerous tumor or mass your doctor will likely take the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of the mass or tumor either surgically or by inserting needles into the area. The specimen is then examined under a microscope to determine if mesothelioma is present. Our specialists can use ultrasound to find lymph nodes that are swelling that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. It is performed on an outpatient basis, so you are able to go home the same day. A specialist in mesothelioma will also require the stage of the cancer. The stages are determined by the extent to which the cancer has spread and which type of mesothelioma it is. A mesothelioma specialist will provide you with an accurate diagnosis to ensure you receive the right treatment. Treatment The treatment plan of a mesothelioma patient is determined by the severity of the disease as well as their overall health. Patients with mesothelioma generally receive multimodal treatments, which include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The first step to treating mesothelioma is an examination of the body and telling your doctor about any asbestos exposure you may have had in the past. Doctors may also recommend imaging scans or blood tests to detect mesothelioma and rule out any other conditions. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography) scans; and mediastinoscopy (used to look at and sample lymph nodes that are located in the chest cavity). Surgery is an option for the majority of pleural mesothelioma cases. A patient can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure referred to as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can enhance the lifespan of patients and alleviate symptoms. Chemotherapy, a treatment, utilizes drugs to eliminate cancerous cells and stop them from expanding. It is the standard treatment for mesothelioma and can extend the duration of survival. It is available in intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form. Radiation is a mesothelioma therapy that shrinks tumors and kill cancer cells. It is used to treat pleural cancer in different stages, and also to reduce pain and prolong the lifespan of patients. In the final stages of mesothelioma treatment, doctors focus on controlling symptoms to prolong the life span of a patient as long as they can. Palliative care is a term used to describe the goal of this kind of treatment. Despite the low survival rate of mesothelioma, there are still a lot of survivors. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal peritoneal cancer in the year 1982. He remained alive for another 20 years, until he died of complications resulting from another illness. Symptoms Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms for weeks or even years prior to it is diagnosed. The initial symptoms are similar to those triggered by other illnesses and it's easy to overlook or mistake them for minor ailments. If you experience any of these symptoms it is crucial that you consult your doctor right away. The organs of your body are covered by mesothelium which is a type of layer. This layer helps keep them from touching each other. Mesothelioma can affect the mesothelium cell that form the lining of many of your organs. The majority of cases of mesothelioma occur in the lining that surrounds 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 may include fatigue, chest pain, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs and chest wall resulting in the formation of pleural effusion. Pleural effusions can place pressure on the lungs leading to coughing and breathing problems. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through taking the medical history of the patient and conducting an examination. They may order chest Xrays to determine if there are any abnormalities, like thickening of the lung's lining or fluid buildup on the chest wall. They may also request a CT scan, MRI or PET scan to get a better look at your lungs and other tissues. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles to remove fluid from the peritoneum and pleura. A biopsy can assist in determining the type of mesothelioma cell that is forming the tumor and the rate at which it is growing. el monte mesothelioma attorney will help doctors decide the most effective treatment options. The three most common mesothelioma treatment options are radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable however you can reduce the risk by abstaining from asbestos and staying away from those who suffer from it. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer, as well as other diseases that can affect the lining of certain organs. There are a variety of types of mesothelioma. Some are more serious than others. Certain types are simpler to treat than others. Asbestos is a group of minerals with tiny microscopic fibers. It was utilized in industrial and construction products by manufacturers who were unaware of the dangers. Blue-collar workers and veterans were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been shown to be dangerous and you shouldn't be living in an old factory or work there. If you have any history of exposure to asbestos or asbestos-related diseases, speak with your doctor about undergoing regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can identify problems in your abdomen or lungs. A biopsy may also reveal the presence of a tumor in the chest's lining or stomach. Doctors can then test the tissue sample taken from that area to see whether you are suffering from mesothelioma. It is possible that you have pleural msothelioma that affects your lungs' membrane. Other kinds include peritoneal mysothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma or testicular mesothelioma. After exposure to asbestos It can take a number of years before mesothelioma begins to develop. Even then, it is difficult to detect. It is often misdiagnosed as a condition or illness such as pneumonia, bronchitis or lung cancer. This could prevent you from receiving the appropriate treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and design tests that detect mesothelioma sooner. This could lead better treatments and a greater survival rate. The research involves genetic testing to identify those who are most likely to develop mesothelioma.