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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma, a cancerous condition caused by asbestos exposure, is a naturally occurring cancer. 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 cells that makes up the tumor and its stage influences the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that forms in the mesothelium, thin layer of tissue that is the lining of organs within the body. It is caused by exposure to asbestos which is a class of fibrous minerals. The exposure to asbestos typically occurs when people inhale or swallow asbestos fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the organ's linings and cause irritation. They can also cause tumors. Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors look at the tumors and take an x-ray of the tissue, known as a biopsy. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of cells are identified in the tumors. The three types of mesothelioma are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid) triphasic, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Epithelial mesothelioma has the highest common type which accounts for approximately 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma makes up 10 percent of cases and has a poorer prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma has a mixture of both epithelial and sarcomatoid cells, which is responsible for between 30% and 40 percent of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, abdominal pain and breathing difficulties. These symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, so it is important to see an expert if you are suffering from them. The treatment for mesothelioma can help alleviate symptoms, slow tumour growth and prolong the lives of patients. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Patients can also get palliative treatment, which helps to manage discomfort and pain. Doctors continue to investigate ways to treat mesothelioma and how it grows. New treatments include immunotherapy, which relies on your body's immune system to fight cancer. This is an experimental treatment that has shown promise for certain mesothelioma patients. Patients can also take part in clinical trials, which are research studies of new treatments. Mesothelioma patients are typically treated at cancer centers that have doctors who treat the condition. Diagnosis The first step to receive treatment to prolong your life span is a mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Your doctors will begin the process by looking over your symptoms and health history and determining the type of mesothelioma you're suffering from. This is vital because the three main mesothelioma cells kinds respond differently to treatment. Your doctor might recommend an X-ray chest scan 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 its surrounding organs. A small amount of dye, usually iodine, is typically administered prior the procedure. This makes the tissues in your chest or abdomen lighter and easier to be able to. During this period, you might be asked to perform breathing tests. If these tests reveal the possibility of a tumor that is cancerous or mass your doctor will likely require an examination for biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of the sample from the tumor or mass by surgical removal or by inserting a needle into the region. The specimen is then examined under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cells. Our specialists can use ultrasound to identify lymph nodes that have enlarged which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is called endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration or EBNA. It is done as an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day. A mesothelioma specialist must also know your stage of the disease. The stages are determined by how much the cancer has spread and what kind of mesothelioma is it. Finding a reliable diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist the best way to ensure that you receive the right treatment. Treatment A patient's mesothelioma treatment program depends on how much the disease has progressed and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients typically receive multimodal therapy which is a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma is to undergo an examination for physical health and telling the doctor about any prior exposure to asbestos. Doctors also conduct images and blood tests to detect mesothelioma and rule out other diseases. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans, FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography), and mediastinoscopy. Most pleural cases of mesothelioma can be treated through surgery. Patients can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure known as video-assisted needle biopsy or CT-guided thoracoscopic surgery. Both surgeries are able to reduce symptoms and improve the lifespan of patients. Chemotherapy is a therapy that uses drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from expanding. It is standard mesothelioma treatment and can extend the duration of survival. It is available as an intravenous drip (IV) or in pill form. Radiation therapy is another mesothelioma cure that kills cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is available at various stages of pleural mesothelioma, in addition to helping to relieve pain and allow patients to live longer. In the later stages of mesothelioma, doctors often concentrate on controlling symptoms and prolonging the life of patients for as long as is possible. This kind of treatment is called palliative treatment. Despite the poor survival rate of mesothelioma there are still many survivors. For instance, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1982, lived for another 20 years until he passed away from complications of another illness. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma can cause symptoms weeks or even years prior to it is diagnosed. Early symptoms may be mistaken for other illnesses or overlooked. However, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor right away. The organs of your body are wrapped in a tissue layer called the mesothelium. This layer prevents them from colliding. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects mesothelium, which is the cells that line your organs. The majority of cases of mesothelioma occur in the lining that surrounds your lungs, but it may also be found in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and within the lining surrounding your testicles (tunica vaginalis). The first symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, chest pain, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause an accumulation of fluid in the lungs or chest wall that can lead to pleural effusion. lynwood mesothelioma attorneys can place pressure on the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing and a cough. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after conducting a thorough medical exam and examining the patient's history. They may order chest X-rays to determine if there are any abnormalities, like thickening of the lung's lining, or a buildup of fluid on the chest wall. You can also request a CT scan, MRI or PET scan to have a more detailed look at your lungs and other tissues. They can also use ultrasound-guided needles in order to drain fluid from the peritoneum and pleura. A biopsy can identify which mesothelioma type of cells are creating the tumor and how they develop. This can help doctors choose the most effective treatment options. The three options of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the three kinds of mesothelioma treatments that are standard. The following is a list of precautions. Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can reduce your risk by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding the area. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer or other illnesses that affect organ linings. There are a variety of mesothelioma types, and some of them are more serious than others. Certain types are simpler to treat than others. Asbestos is one of the minerals that have thin microscopic fibers. It was used in industrial and construction equipment by manufacturers who were unaware of the dangers. Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is now known to be a risk, and you should not live in a home or work in an old plant which has asbestos. If you have an history of exposure to asbestos, talk with your doctor about undergoing regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners will reveal any issues in your abdomen or lungs. A biopsy can identify an abnormality in the stomach lining or chest. Doctors will test samples of tissue from this area to determine if you have mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of your lungs. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma testicular mesothelioma or pericardial melot. It can take a long time for mesothelioma's growth to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Even so, it can be difficult to recognize. It is often misdiagnosed with other conditions or illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis or cancer. This can hinder you from receiving the right treatment. Researchers are working on improving the diagnosis and developing tests to detect mesothelioma sooner. This could result in better treatments and a higher survival rate. Genetic tests are used to determine those most likely to develop the disease.