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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure is a cancer that occurs naturally. The disease is usually diagnosed decades after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma with chemotherapy radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three kinds. The type of cancerous cell composes the tumor, and its stage determines the prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the mesothelium a thin layer of tissue linings internal organs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos which is a group of fibrous minerals. Asbestos exposure occurs when people swallow or inhale stray 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 take a sample of tissue, called a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified according to type by the type of cells found in the tumors. The three types of mesothelioma are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid) biphasic, sarcomatoid and epithelial. Epithelial Mesothelioma comprises about 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10% of cases and has a worse prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma has a mixture of epithelial as well as sarcomatoid cells, which accounts for 30% to 40 percent of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, chest discomfort and breathing difficulties. These symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. It is important to seek out a physician immediately whenever you notice these symptoms. The treatment for mesothelioma could improve symptoms, reduce tumour development and help patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Patients can also get palliative care, which helps manage pain and discomfort. Doctors continue to research ways to treat mesothelioma and how it spreads. New treatments include immunotherapy, which relies on your body's immune system to fight cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise for some mesothelioma patients. Patients are also able to take part in clinical trials, which are research studies on new therapies. Patients with mesothelioma are often treated in cancer centers that have doctors who treat the disease. Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis is the first step to receiving treatment that can prolong your life span. Your doctor will look over your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma that you have. This is vital because the three main mesothelioma cells types respond differently to treatment. The first test that your doctor might recommend is an X-ray of your chest or CT scan. In this test, you lie on tables while the Xray or CT machine produces a detailed picture of your chest and the organs surrounding it. A small amount of dye, most often iodine is usually administered prior to the procedure. This makes the tissue in your chest and abdomen lighter, making it easier to be able to. You might be asked to take a breathing test during this period of time. If these tests reveal the possibility of a tumor that is cancerous or mass the doctor may take an examination for biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing a sample of the mass or tumor, either surgically or by inserting a needle into the area. The sample is then examined under a microscope for mesothelioma. In certain instances our specialists utilize ultrasound to detect lymph nodes that are enlarged and could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. It is done on an outpatient basis which means you can return home the same day. A specialist in mesothelioma will also require the stage of the disease. The stages are determined by the extent the cancer has spread and what kind of mesothelioma it is. Receiving a precise diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist is the best way to make sure that you receive the right treatment. Treatment The mesothelioma treatment for a patient depends on how much the disease has progressed and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients typically undergo multimodal therapy which is a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma involves undergoing an examination for physical health and telling the doctor about any previous exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also request blood tests or imaging scans to look for mesothelioma and to rule out other illnesses. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans as well as FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) scans and mediastinoscopy (used to examine and test lymph nodes within the chest cavity). The majority of mesothelioma pleural cases can be treated with surgery. Patients can undergo a minimally invasive procedure known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries are able to reduce symptoms and improve a patient's life expectancy. Chemotherapy utilizes drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop their growth. It is a common mesothelioma treatment and can prolong the survival of patients. It can be administered through intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form. Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment that shrinks tumors and kill cancer cells. It is offered at various stages of pleural mesothelioma as well as to relieve pain and help patients live longer. In the latter stages of mesothelioma treatment, doctors focus on controlling symptoms to prolong a patient's lifespan as much as possible. Palliative care is the name of this kind of treatment. Despite the poor survival rate of mesothelioma, there's still a lot of survivors. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with cancer of the peritoneal peritoneal area in 1982. He lived for another 20 years before passing away of complications from another illness. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma may cause symptoms for months or even years before it is diagnosed. Initial symptoms may be mistaken for other illnesses or overlooked. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is crucial that you consult your doctor right away. The organs of your body are covered in a layer of tissue called the mesothelium. This layer helps keep them from rubbing against each against one another. Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects mesothelium- the cells that line your organs. Most mesothelioma cases begin in the lining that surrounds your lungs, however it may also be found in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around testicles (tunica vaginalis). The first signs of mesothelioma can be fatigue, chest pain, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up in the chest wall and lungs leading to an effusion in the pleura. Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs and cause difficulty breathing and cough. The diagnosis of mesothelioma is made after a thorough medical exam and taking the patient's history. They may request chest X-rays, which can show signs of abnormalities like thickening the lung lining, or the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall. They may also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to get a better look at your lungs or other tissues. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles to drain fluid from the pleura and peritoneum. A biopsy can identify which kind of mesothelioma cells are creating the cancer and how they are growing. This will help doctors choose the most effective treatment options. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the three types of standard mesothelioma treatments. The following is a list of precautions. Mesothelioma is not preventable, however you can reduce your risk by avoiding those who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding them. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer, as well as other diseases that affect the lining of certain organs. There are many types of mesothelioma, some more dangerous than others. Some types are easier to treat than others. Asbestos is a class of minerals that contain tiny microscopic fibers. It was utilized in industrial and construction equipment by manufacturers who were unaware of the dangers. Blue-collar workers and veterans were especially exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be a danger and you shouldn't live in an old building or work in it. Discuss with your doctor regular screenings if you have a past history of asbestos exposure. X-rays and CT or MRI scans can reveal issues with your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy can reveal the presence of a tumor in the stomach lining or chest. Doctors will then examine a tissue sample from the area to determine whether you have mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma which affects the lining of your lungs. Other types include pericardial, testicular or the peritoneal. It could take years for mesothelioma cancer to develop following exposure to asbestos. Even then, it can be difficult to identify. It is often misdiagnosed as a condition or illness such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or lung cancer. allentown mesothelioma lawyer can hinder you from receiving the appropriate treatment. Researchers are working to improve the diagnosis and developing tests to detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatments and a greater survival rate. The study includes genetic testing to identify those who are most likely to develop mesothelioma.