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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma, a cancerous condition caused by asbestos exposure is a naturally occurring cancer. The disease usually manifests for many years after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types. The stage and type of cells in the tumor influence the prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? The mesothelioma that is cancerous forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that lines internal organs). It is caused by exposure to asbestos which is a class of fibrous minerals. Asbestos exposure occurs when individuals swallow or inhale stray asbestos fibers. The asbestos particles stick to organ linings, irritate them and cause tumors. Mesothelioma is detected when doctors study these tumors and take samples of the tissues, called a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified according to the kind of cells are located in the tumors. The three types are epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Epithelial mesothelioma is responsible for around 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10% of cases and has a worse prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma is a mix of both epithelial and sarcomatoid cells and accounts for 30% to 40 percent of all diagnoses. Symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathing difficulties and chest pain or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. It is crucial to seek out a physician immediately when you notice them. The treatment for mesothelioma can help alleviate symptoms, slow tumour growth and help patients live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Patients can also get palliative care, which helps to manage discomfort and pain. Doctors continue to research ways to treat mesothelioma and how it grows. The latest treatments include immunotherapy, which uses your body's immune system to fight cancer. This is an experimental treatment that has shown promise in certain mesothelioma patients. Patients can also try clinical trials, which are research studies of new therapies. Patients with mesothelioma are often treated at cancer centers with specialized doctors who treat the disease. Diagnosis The first step in receiving treatment to prolong your life span is a mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Your doctor will analyze your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from. This information is essential because the three mesothelioma cancer cells respond differently to treatment. The first test your doctor might recommend is chest X-rays or CT scan. During the test, you be lying on a table while the X-ray machine or CT scan generates a clear image of your chest and surrounding organs. A small injection of a dye, most often iodine is usually given before the procedure. The dye makes the tissue in your chest and abdomen lighter, making it easier to observe. You may also be asked to take the test of breathing at this time. If these tests show the possibility of a cancerous tumor or mass the doctor may request a biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing a sample from the mass or tumor via surgery or by inserting an needle into the region. The specimen is then examined under a microscope for mesothelioma. In some instances our specialists utilize ultrasound to identify lymph nodes that have enlarged, which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial Ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy or EBNA. This procedure is carried out as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. A mesothelioma specialist will also require the stage of the cancer. The stages are determined based on how the cancer has spread, and the type of mesothelioma you have. A mesothelioma expert can provide you with an accurate diagnosis to ensure you receive the right treatment. Treatment The mesothelioma patient's treatment plan is determined by the extent of the disease as well as their overall health. Patients suffering from mesothelioma typically receive multimodal treatment, which can include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma involves undergoing a physical examination and telling the doctor about any past exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also order scans of the blood and imaging to check for mesothelioma, and rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans as well as FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) scans and mediastinoscopy (used to look at and sample lymph nodes inside the chest cavity). Surgery is an option for the majority of pleural mysothelioma cases. Patients can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can improve the patient's life expectancy as well as reduce symptoms. Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent them from advancing. It is a standard treatment for mesothelioma and can improve survival. It can be administered through intravenous (IV) drip or pill form. Radiation is another mesothelioma therapy that can kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can be used to treat pleural cancers at various stages, and also to relieve pain and prolong the lives of patients. In the last stages of mesothelioma, doctors usually concentrate on reducing symptoms and extending the life of a patient for as long as is possible. This type of treatment is known as palliative treatment. While oklahoma city mesothelioma lawsuit mesothelioma-related survival rate is low but there are a lot of survivors. For instance, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, lived for an additional 20 years before he died from complications from another illness. Symptoms Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms for weeks or even years prior to an official diagnosis is made. Early symptoms may be mistaken for other ailments or ignored. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is crucial that you consult your doctor immediately. The organs of your body are covered in a layer called the mesothelium. This layer stops them from rubbing together. Mesothelioma affects mesothelium cells which form the linings of many of your organs. The lining of your lung is the primary location where mesothelioma develops. But, it can develop in the heart (pericardium) as well as in your abdomen (peritoneum), or the lining around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The initial symptoms of mesothelioma are chest pain, fatigue and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also trigger an accumulation of fluid in the chest wall or lungs, resulting in an effusion of the pleural cavity. A pleural effusion can put pressure on the lungs and cause coughing and breathing difficulties. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by taking an individual's medical history before conducting an examination. They may request chest X-rays, which can show abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining or a buildup of fluid in the chest wall. They can also order an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to get more detailed pictures of your lung or other tissues of your body. They can also remove any fluid that accumulates in the pleura or the peritoneum by using an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure. A biopsy can reveal which type of mesothelioma cells are creating the tumor and the way they grow. This can help doctors choose the most effective treatment options. Treatment, radiation, and surgery are the three main types of mesothelioma therapies that are common. Prevention Mesothelioma can't be prevented, but you can lower your risk by avoiding asbestos and staying away from those with it. Exposure to asbestos could cause lung cancer and other illnesses that affect the organ linings. There are many kinds of mesothelioma, some more severe than others. Certain types are simpler to treat than others. Asbestos is a group of minerals that have thin micro-sized fibers. It was utilized in industrial and construction materials by manufacturers who were not aware of the dangers it posed. Blue-collar and veteran workers were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been found to be dangerous and you shouldn't stay in an old factory or work there. If you have any history of exposure to asbestos, talk with your doctor about getting regular screening. X-rays and CT or MRI scans can help spot issues with your lungs, or abdomen. A biopsy can reveal the presence of a tumor in the lining of your stomach or chest. Doctors will test samples of tissue from this area to determine if you suffer from mesothelioma. You could have pleural msothelioma that affects the lungs' interior. Other kinds include pericardial, testicular or the peritoneal. After asbestos exposure, it can take many years before mesothelioma is diagnosed. Even then, it may be hard to diagnose. It is often mistakenly diagnosed with other diseases or conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or lung cancer. This could prevent you from receiving the proper treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and design tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatments and a higher rate of survival. The research includes using genetic tests to determine the people most likely to develop mesothelioma.