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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure, is a naturally occurring type of cancer. The disease typically develops over the course of many years after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma by using radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types of mesothelioma. The type of cancerous cell is responsible for the tumor and its stage determines the prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium a thin layer of tissue that is the lining of organs within the body. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of fibrous minerals. The exposure to asbestos is usually when people inhale or swallow stray asbestos fibers. The asbestos particles stick to organ linings, irritate them and cause tumors. Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors look at these tumors and then take an x-ray of the tissue, called biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of cells are found in the tumors. The three types are epithelial sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Epithelial mesothelioma has the highest common type, accounting for around 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10 percent of cases, and has a worse prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma consists of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones. It is responsible for 30-40% of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are similar to symptoms of other diseases, so it is important to see a doctor if you have these symptoms. Treatment for mesothelioma may reduce symptoms, slow tumor growth and prolong the lives of patients. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Palliative treatment is available to patients, and helps manage pain and discomfort. Doctors continue to investigate ways to treat mesothelioma and how it can spread. Immunotherapy is a novel treatment that uses your own immune system to fight the cancer. This experimental treatment has shown promise in some mesothelioma cases. Patients can also participate in clinical trials, which are studies on new treatments. Patients with mesothelioma tend to be treated at cancer centers with specialized physicians who treat this condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma-related diagnosis is the first step to receive treatment that can extend your life span. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from. This is important because the three primary mesothelioma cells respond differently to treatment. richmond mesothelioma law firm might order is a chest X-ray or CT scan. During the test, you will lie on a table as the X-ray machine or CT scan produces a precise image of your chest as well as the surrounding organs. Prior to the procedure, a small dose of dye, which is usually iodine is given. This makes the tissues in your chest and abdomen lighter, which makes it easier to observe. You may be asked to take the test of breathing at this period of time. If these tests show a possible cancerous tumor or mass the doctor may request an examination for biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of samples from the mass or tumor via surgery or by inserting a needle into the region. The sample is then examined under a microscope to determine if mesothelioma is present. In some instances our experts use ultrasound to detect lymph nodes with enlarged lymphatic vessels that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is called endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration or EBNA. This procedure is carried out as an outpatient treatment, so you can return home on the same day. A mesothelioma doctor will also be required to determine the mesothelioma's stage. The stages are determined by how much the cancer has spread and the kind of mesothelioma it is. Finding a reliable diagnosis from a mesothelioma expert is the best way to make sure that you get the right treatment. Treatment The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients is determined by the severity of the disease and their general health. Patients with mesothelioma typically receive multimodal treatment, which includes chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The first step to treat mesothelioma is to undergo an examination on the body and advising the doctor about any past exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also recommend imaging scans or blood tests to determine if mesothelioma is present and rule out any other conditions. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography) and mediastinoscopy. Surgery is a viable option for the majority of pleural mesothelioma cases. Patients can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure known as video-assisted surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can help reduce symptoms and increase a patient's life expectancy. Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent them from advancing. It is a common mesothelioma treatment that can prolong survival. It is administered via intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form. Radiation is a mesothelioma therapy which can shrink tumors and kill cancerous cells. It can be administered at various stages of pleural mesothelioma, as well as to relieve pain and help patients live longer. In the final stage of mesothelioma treatment doctors focus on controlling symptoms to prolong the lifespan of patients as long as possible. Palliative care is a term used to describe the goal of this kind of treatment. Despite the low rate of survival of mesothelioma cancer, there are still a lot of survivors. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal peritoneal cancer in the year 1982. He remained alive for another 20 years until he died of complications from a different illness. Signs and symptoms Many people with mesothelioma have symptoms for months or even years before they are diagnosed. Early symptoms may be mistaken for other illnesses or overlooked. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to see your doctor immediately. Your body's organs are wrapped in a layer of tissue called the mesothelium. This layer helps keep them from rubbing against one the other. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel which form the lining of several of your organs. The lining surrounding your lung is the most frequent area where mesothelioma first appears. However, it may also develop in your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) as well as the surrounding lining of your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The first signs of mesothelioma include breathlessness as well as chest pain and fatigue. Mesothelioma can also cause the accumulation of fluid in the lungs and chest wall which can cause pleural effusion. A pleural effusion can put pressure on lungs, leading to coughing and breathing problems. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough medical examination and taking the patient's history. They may also order chest X-rays to check for abnormalities such as thickening of the lining of the lungs or the buildup of fluid on the chest wall. They may also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to get more detailed pictures of the lung or other tissues in your body. They can also use ultrasound-guided needles to remove fluid from the peritoneum and pleura. A biopsy will reveal what mesothelioma types are creating the tumor and how they develop. This will help doctors determine the best treatment options. The three options of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the three kinds of mesothelioma therapies that are common. The following is a list of preventions. Mesothelioma is not curable However, you can reduce your risk by avoiding asbestos and staying away from people who have it. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer and other illnesses that affect the organ linings. There are many kinds of mesothelioma and some are more severe than others. Certain types are more straightforward to treat than others. Asbestos is a group of minerals that have thin microscopic fibers. It was utilized in industrial and construction materials by companies who were not aware of the risks. Veterans and blue-collar workers were especially exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is now known as a hazard and you should never live in a home or work in an old plant which has asbestos. If you have an antecedent of exposure to asbestos, speak with your physician about getting regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners will reveal any issues in your abdomen or lungs. A biopsy may reveal the presence of a tumor in the stomach lining or chest. Doctors can then test the tissue sample taken from the same area to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma. You could have pleural melanoma, which affects the lung's lining. Other kinds include testicular, pericardial or the peritoneal. It can take several years for mesothelioma's growth to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Even then, it may be hard to diagnose. It is often mistakenly diagnosed with other conditions or illnesses like pneumonia, bronchitis, or lung cancer. This could prevent you from receiving the correct treatment. Researchers are working to improve the diagnosis of cancer and developing tests to detect mesothelioma sooner. This could lead to better treatment and a higher rate of survival. Genetic tests are used to determine those who are most likely the disease.