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Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease caused by asbestos exposure, is a naturally occurring cancer. The disease usually develops for decades after exposure.

Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer.

There are three types of mesothelioma. The stage and the type of cells that compose the tumor affect the prognosis.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is found in the mesothelium a thin layer of tissue that covers organs within the body. 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 the lining of organs and cause irritation, leading to tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma can be made by a doctor after they look at the tumors and collect a tissue sample also known as a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified according to 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 cancer accounts for 10 percent of cases and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic is a mesothelioma that is composed of epithelial and Sarcomatoid cells and is responsible for 30 to 40 percent of all diagnoses.

Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, chest pain and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are similar to those experienced by other conditions, so it is essential to consult the doctor if you experience these symptoms.

The treatment for mesothelioma can help improve symptoms, slow tumour growth and make it easier for patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Palliative care is available for patients and helps reduce discomfort and pain.

Doctors continue to explore ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it can spread. The latest treatments include immunotherapy, which uses your body's immune system to fight cancer. This is an experimental treatment that has shown promise for certain mesothelioma patients. Patients may also participate in clinical trials, which are research studies of new treatments. Patients with mesothelioma are often treated at cancer centers with specialized doctors who treat the disease.

Diagnosis

The first step to receiving treatment to prolong your life span is to get a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from. This is important because the three mesothelioma cancer cells respond differently to treatment.

The first test your doctor might order is a chest X-ray or CT scan. In this procedure, you lie on tables while the Xray or CT machine creates a detailed image of your chest as well as the organs that surround it. A small amount of dye, typically iodine, is usually administered prior to the procedure. This makes the tissue in your chest or abdomen lighter which makes it easier to see. You might also be asked to take breath tests during this time.

If these tests show the possibility of a tumor that is cancerous or mass the doctor may order a biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of an area of tissue from the tumor or mass via surgery or by inserting a needle into the region. The specimen is then examined under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma-like cells.

In certain cases our specialists utilize ultrasound to help find lymph nodes that are enlarged and could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided aspiration, also known as EBNA. The procedure is performed as an outpatient, so you can return home on the same day.

A mesothelioma specialist will also require your stage of the cancer. The stages are determined based on how far the cancer has spread, and what kind of mesothelioma is present. A mesothelioma doctor can provide you with an accurate diagnosis to ensure you receive the correct treatment.

Treatment

The mesothelioma patient's treatment plan is determined by the severity of the disease as well as their overall health. Mesothelioma patients usually receive multimodal therapy which consists of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

The first step in treating mesothelioma is to undergo a physical examination and telling the doctor about your previous exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also order blood tests or imaging scans to look for mesothelioma and to rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans as well as FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography) scans; and mediastinoscopy (used to study and sample lymph nodes within the chest cavity).

Surgery is a viable option for a majority of pleural melanoma cases. Patients can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure referred to as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can increase a patient’s life expectancy and reduce symptoms.

Chemotherapy is a treatment that makes use of drugs to eliminate cancerous cells and stop them from growing. It is a standard mesothelioma therapy and can extend survival. It is available in intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form.

Radiation is a different mesothelioma treatment which can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors. It is used to treat pleural tumors at different stages, and also to relieve pain and prolong the lifespan of patients.

In the late stage of mesothelioma treatment doctors focus on controlling symptoms to prolong the lifespan of patients as long as they can. This type of treatment is called palliative care. Despite the low rate of survival of mesothelioma there are still a lot of survivors. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal peritoneal cancer in 1982. He lived for another 20 years, until he died of complications from another illness.

Signs and symptoms

Many people suffering from mesothelioma show symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. The early symptoms are similar to those caused 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 physician immediately.

Organs in your body are encased in a layer of tissue known as mesothelium. This layer protects them from colliding with each and rubbing against each other. Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects mesothelium, which is the cells that line your organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining around your lungs, however it can also occur in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and within the lining surrounding your testicles (tunica vaginalis).

The initial signs of mesothelioma can be breathlessness and chest pain as well as fatigue. Mesothelioma can also cause an accumulation of fluid in the lungs or chest wall and cause an effusion in the pleura. Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing and cough.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through taking an individual's medical history before conducting an examination. bellflower mesothelioma lawyer may order chest X-rays to check for abnormalities like thickening in the lung's lining, or the buildup of fluid on the chest wall. You can also request a CT scan, MRI or PET scan to take a closer look at your lungs as well as other tissues. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles to drain fluid from the pleura and peritoneum.

A biopsy can help identify the type of mesothelioma that is forming the tumor and the rate at which it is growing. This can help doctors determine the most effective treatment options. The three standard mesothelioma treatments include radiation, surgery and chemotherapy.

Prevention





Mesothelioma can't be prevented However, you can reduce your risk by not consuming asbestos and staying away from people with it. Exposure to asbestos may cause lung cancer and other illnesses that affect the organ linings. There are many kinds of mesothelioma and some are more serious than others. Certain types of mesothelioma may be easier to treat.

Asbestos is a group of minerals with microscopic fibers. Manufacturers used it in construction and other industrial products, without knowing about its dangers. Blue-collar workers and veterans were the most susceptible to asbestos. Asbestos has been found to be dangerous and you shouldn't live in an old factory or work in it.

Consult your physician about regular screenings, especially if you have a past history of exposure to asbestos. X-rays as well as CT or MRI scans can help spot issues with your lungs, or abdomen. A biopsy can also reveal a tumor in the lining of your chest or stomach. Doctors will test samples of tissue from this area to determine if you suffer from mesothelioma. There is a possibility that you have pleural mesothelioma which affects the lung's lining. Other types include testicular, pericardial or peritoneal.

After exposure to asbestos, it can take many years before mesothelioma begins to develop. Even if it does, it can be difficult to identify. It is often misdiagnosed as a different illness or condition like lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. This can hinder you from receiving the correct treatment. Researchers are working to improve the diagnosis of cancer and developing tests to detect mesothelioma sooner. This could result in better treatments and a greater chance of survival. Genetic testing is used to identify those who are most likely to develop the disease.