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Mesothelioma

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

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

There are three kinds of mesothelioma. The stage and type of cells in the tumor can affect the prognosis.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that forms in the mesothelium, thin layer of tissue lines organs within the body. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a class of fibrous minerals.

The exposure to asbestos is usually when people swallow or inhale stray asbestos fibers. These asbestos particles cling to the lining of organs and irritate them, leading to tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma can be determined by doctors after they examine the tumors, and collect a tissue sample also known as a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified by type based on the type of cells found in the tumors. The three types are epithelial sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Epithelial Mesothelioma comprises about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma makes up 10 percent of all cases and has a worse prognosis compared to the epithelial. Biphasic mesothelioma has a mixture of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells, which accounts for 30% to 40 percent of all diagnoses.

Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, abdominal pain, and breathing problems. These symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, and it is important to see a doctor if you have them.

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

Doctors continue to explore ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it spreads. New treatments include immunotherapy which utilizes your body's immune system to fight cancer. This experimental treatment has proven effective in a number of mesothelioma cases. Patients may also participate in clinical trials, which are studies of new treatments. Most often, mesothelioma patients get treated at specialist cancer centers where they can access doctors who have experience treating the condition.

Diagnosis

The first step to receiving treatment to prolong your life span is a mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma you have. This is vital because the three mesothelioma cell kinds respond differently to treatment.

The first test that your doctor may order is a chest X-ray or CT scan. In this procedure, you lie on an X-ray table while the or CT machine takes a clear image of your chest and the organs around it. Prior to the procedure, a tiny injection of dye, which is usually iodine, is given. This makes the tissue in your abdomen or chest lighter and easier to see. During this time, you may be asked to complete an air test.

If these tests show a possible cancerous tumor or mass, your doctor will probably require 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 specimen is then analyzed under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma cells.

In some cases our experts use ultrasound to find enlarged lymph nodes that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. This procedure is carried out as an outpatient, so you can go home the same day.

A mesothelioma specialist will also be able to determine the stage of mesothelioma. The stages are determined by how the cancer has spread and the kind of mesothelioma you are suffering from. A mesothelioma doctor can provide you with an accurate diagnosis to ensure you receive the appropriate treatment.

Treatment

A patient's mesothelioma treatment plan depends on how much the disease has progressed and their overall health. Patients who have mesothelioma usually receive multimodal treatment, which includes chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.

The first step to treat mesothelioma is getting an examination for physical health and telling the doctor about your previous exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also request imaging scans or blood tests to check for mesothelioma, and rule out any other ailments. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography), and mediastinoscopy.

The majority of mesothelioma-related pleural cases are treated surgically. A patient can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure known as video-assisted needle biopsy or CT-guided thoracoscopic surgical. Both surgeries can increase the life expectancy of a patient and alleviate symptoms.

Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent their growth. It is a common mesothelioma therapy and can extend the life expectancy of patients. It can be administered via intravenous drip (IV) or pill form.

Radiation is another mesothelioma treatment that kills cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can be given at different stages of pleural mesothelioma in addition to helping to relieve the pain and make patients live longer.





In the last stages of mesothelioma patients, doctors typically focus on controlling symptoms and extending the life of a patient for as long as is possible. This kind of treatment is called palliative treatment. Although the average mesothelioma survival rate is low but there are 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

Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms for weeks or even years prior to an official diagnosis is made. Early symptoms may be misinterpreted as other illnesses or overlooked. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is crucial that you consult your doctor immediately.

The organs of your body are wrapped in a tissue layer called the mesothelium. This layer protects them from touching. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium cells that make up the lining of a number of your organs. The majority of cases of mesothelioma occur in the lining around your lungs, however it can also manifest in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around testicles (tunica vaginalis).

The first symptoms of mesothelioma are chest pain, fatigue and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid buildup in the chest wall or lungs, resulting in an effusion of the pleural cavity. A pleural effusion could put pressure on lungs, which can cause coughing and breathing difficulties.

Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by looking over a patient's medical history and conducting an examination. Vimeo may order chest X-rays, which can show abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining or fluid buildup in the chest wall. They can also request a CT scan, MRI or PET scan to get a better look at your lungs and other tissues. They may also drain the fluid that collects in the pleura and the peritoneum using an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure.

A biopsy may help determine the type of mesothelioma that is forming the tumor, and how fast it is growing. This will help doctors decide the best treatment options. The three types of mesothelioma treatment are radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy.

Prevention

Mesothelioma can't be prevented but you can decrease your risk by avoiding asbestos and staying away from those with it. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer as well as other ailments that affect organ linings. There are many types of mesothelioma, some more dangerous than others. Some types of mesothelioma are easier to treat.

Asbestos is an assortment of minerals with microscopic fibers. Manufacturers used it in construction and other industrial products, without knowing about the dangers it poses. Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been found to be a danger and you shouldn't be living in an old building or work in it.

If you have an history of exposure to asbestos, talk with your doctor about getting regular screening. X-rays as well as CT or MRI scans can help spot issues with your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy may also help identify an abnormality in the chest's lining or stomach. Doctors can then analyze a tissue sample from that region to determine whether you have mesothelioma. It is possible that you have pleural mysothelioma, which affects the lining of your lungs. Other kinds include peritoneal mysothelioma, testicular mesothelioma and pericardial mesot.

After exposure to asbestos it could take several years before mesothelioma begins to develop. Even then, it can be difficult to determine. It often is misdiagnosed as another illness or condition such as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. This could prevent you from receiving the correct treatment. Researchers are working on improving diagnosis and developing tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatment and a greater survival rate. The study involves using genetic tests to determine those most likely develop mesothelioma.