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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that can be traced with exposure to asbestos the mineral that occurs naturally. The disease typically develops decades after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma using radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types. The type of cell that is responsible for the tumor and the stage of the tumor affects the prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that develops in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that linings organs within the body. It is caused by asbestos, a grouping of fibrous minerals. The most common exposure to asbestos occurs when people inhale or swallow stray asbestos fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the linings of organs and cause irritation. They can also cause tumors. Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors look at these tumors and take an in-depth sample of tissue called a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified based on what type of cells are identified in the tumors. The three types are epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Epithelial mesothelioma is responsible for around 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma accounts for 10 percent of cases and has a worse prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma consists of both epithelial and sarcomatoid cells, which is responsible for between 30% and 40 percent of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, chest pain and breathing difficulties. These symptoms can be similar to other conditions. It is important to consult your doctor immediately whenever you notice these symptoms. Treatment for mesothelioma could alleviate symptoms, slow tumour growth and allow patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Palliative care is accessible to patients and can help alleviate discomfort and pain. Doctors continue to explore ways to treat mesothelioma and how it spreads. 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 can also try clinical trials, which are studies of new treatments. Patients suffering from mesothelioma are usually treated in cancer centers that have specialized doctors who treat the condition. Diagnosis The first step to receiving treatment to extend your life span is to get a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from. This is important since the three main mesothelioma cancer cells respond differently to treatment. Your doctor might recommend an X-ray of your chest or CT scan as the initial test. In the procedure, you lie on a table as the X-ray or CT machine creates a detailed image of your chest and the organs that surround it. Before the procedure, a tiny injection of dye, which is usually iodine is given. The dye makes the tissue in your chest or abdomen lighter and easier to observe. During this time, you could be asked to complete an air test. If these tests reveal the possibility of a tumor or a mass that could be cancerous, your doctor could request a biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of a sample of the mass or tumor either surgically or by inserting a needle into the area. The sample is then tested under a microscope, looking for mesothelioma-like cells. Our doctors may employ ultrasound to identify lymph nodes that are swelling that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided aspiration, also known as EBNA. It is performed on an outpatient basis, so you can return home the same day. A mesothelioma specialist must also know your 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 expert is the best way to make sure that you get the right treatment. Treatment The mesothelioma treatment for a patient depends on how far the disease has advanced and their overall health. Patients who have mesothelioma usually receive multimodal treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The first step to treating mesothelioma involves an examination and telling your doctor about any asbestos exposures you may have been exposed to in the past. Doctors can also request imaging scans or blood tests to check for 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. The majority of mesothelioma-related pleural cases can be treated surgically. A patient can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure known as video-assisted needle biopsy, or CT-guided surgical thoracoscopic. Both surgeries can enhance the life expectancy of a patient and alleviate symptoms. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing. It is a common mesothelioma treatment, and can prolong the time of treatment. It can be given via intravenous (IV) drip or pill form. Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment which can shrink tumors and kill cancerous cells. It is used to treat pleural tumors at different stages, as well as to alleviate pain and extend the life of patients. In the last stages of mesothelioma, doctors usually concentrate on reducing symptoms and prolonging the patient's life to the maximum extent possible. This kind of treatment is called palliative care. Despite the low survival rate of mesothelioma, there's still a lot of survivors. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with Peritoneal Peritoneal Cancer in 1982. He lived another 20 years before he passed away of complications resulting from another illness. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms for weeks or even years prior to it is diagnosed. The early symptoms are similar to those caused by other conditions and it is easy to ignore or confuse them for minor ailments. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial that you consult your doctor immediately. The organs of your body are covered by a layer called the mesothelium. This layer protects them from colliding. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium cells which form the lining of a number of your organs. The lining around your lung is the most commonly location where mesothelioma develops. However, abilene mesothelioma lawyer could be found in your heart (pericardium) and abdomen (peritoneum) or the lining around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The first signs of mesothelioma may include fatigue, chest pain, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also trigger an accumulation of fluid in the lungs or chest wall which can cause an effusion of the pleural cavity. A pleural effusion can put pressure on the lungs and cause difficulty breathing and a cough. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma following a thorough medical exam and examining the patient's history. They may also order chest X-rays to look for signs of abnormalities like thickening in the lining of the lungs or fluid accumulation on the chest wall. They can also order an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to get more detailed pictures of your lung and other tissues in your body. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles to remove fluid from the peritoneum and pleura. A biopsy will reveal what type of mesothelioma cells are making up the tumor and the way they grow. This will help doctors choose the most effective treatment options. The three mesothelioma treatment options include radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. 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 it. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer or other illnesses that affect the organ linings. There are several types of mesothelioma, some more severe than others. Certain types are easier to treat than others. Asbestos is a group of minerals that contain tiny microscopic fibers. Manufacturers used it in the construction industry as well as other industrial products, without knowing about its potential dangers. Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were especially exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known as a hazard and you should never reside in a residence or work in an old factory that has asbestos. Discuss with your doctor regular screenings, especially if you have an antecedent history of exposure to asbestos. X-rays and CT or MRI scans can help identify problems with your lungs and abdomen. A biopsy may also help identify a tumor in the chest's lining or stomach. Doctors can then test the tissue sample taken from that region to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma. It is possible that you have pleural msothelioma that affects your lungs' interior. Other kinds include peritoneal melanoma, testicular mesothelioma or pericardial melot. It can take years for mesothelioma's development after exposure to asbestos. Even then, it is difficult to detect. It is often mistakenly diagnosed as a different condition or illness such as lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This can prevent you from receiving the correct treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and design tests that detect mesothelioma sooner. This could result in better treatments and a greater chance of survival. The study involves using genetic tests to determine those most likely develop mesothelioma.