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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma, a cancerous condition that is caused by asbestos exposure is a naturally occurring type of cancer. The disease usually develops over the course of decades after exposure. The treatment of mesothelioma by doctors is chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three kinds. The stage and the type of cells that comprise the tumor influence the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in the mesothelium, thin layer of tissue that lines organs within the body. It is caused by asbestos, a grouping of fibrous minerals. Asbestos exposure occurs when individuals take in or breathe in stray fibers. The asbestos particles stick to organ linings and can cause irritation, which then causes tumors. Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors look at these tumors and then take samples of the tissues, called biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified by type according to the type of cells seen in the tumors. The three types are epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Epithelial mesothelioma, the most common type and accounts for 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma accounts for 10 percent of cases and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma consists of both epithelial and sarcomatoid cells, and is responsible for between 30% and 40% of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms can include difficulty breathing, chest pain or pain in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to those experienced by other conditions, so it is imperative to see a doctor if you have these symptoms. Treatment for mesothelioma might improve symptoms, reduce tumour development and help patients live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Palliative treatment is available for patients and helps reduce discomfort and pain. Doctors continue to study ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it can spread. The latest treatments include immunotherapy, which uses your body's own immune system to fight cancer. This is an experimental treatment that has shown promise for some mesothelioma patients. Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials, which are research studies of new treatments. Mesothelioma patients are typically treated at specialist cancer centers where they have the opportunity to find doctors with expertise in treating the condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis can be the first step to receive treatment that can extend your life span. Your doctor will analyze your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma that you have. This is crucial as the three primary mesothelioma cell types respond differently to treatment. Your doctor may recommend an X-ray chest scan or CT scan as the initial test. During the test, you lay on a table while the X-ray machine or CT scan generates a clear image of your chest and the surrounding organs. A small amount of dye, most often iodine is usually administered prior to the procedure. This makes the tissue in your abdomen or chest lighter and easier to see. You may be asked to take a a breathing test during this period of time. If these tests reveal a possible cancerous tumor or mass, your doctor will probably take the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy is the removal 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-like cells. In some cases, our specialists use ultrasound to identify lymph nodes that are enlarged and could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy or EBNA. It is performed on an outpatient basis, so you are able to go home the same day. A mesothelioma specialist must also know your stage of the cancer. The stages are determined by the extent to which the cancer has spread and which type of mesothelioma it is. A mesothelioma specialist will provide you with a precise diagnosis to ensure you receive the right treatment. Treatment The mesothelioma treatment for a patient will depend on how far the disease has advanced and their overall health. Patients with mesothelioma generally receive multimodal treatment, which can include chemotherapy, surgery 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 images and blood tests to look for mesothelioma and rule out any other ailments. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans, FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography), and mediastinoscopy. The majority of mesothelioma pleural cases are treated surgically. A patient may undergo a minimally-invasive procedure referred to as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can improve the life expectancy of a patient and reduce symptoms. Chemotherapy utilizes drugs to kill cancer cells and stop their growth. It is a common mesothelioma treatment and can prolong the life expectancy of patients. It can be given via intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form. Radiation is a mesothelioma therapy which can shrink tumors and kill cancerous cells. It can be used to treat pleural cancers at various stages, and also to reduce pain and prolong the life of patients. In the last stages of mesothelioma doctors usually focus on reducing symptoms and prolonging the life of patients to the maximum extent possible. plano mesothelioma attorney is the name for this type of treatment. Despite the low rate of survival of mesothelioma, there are still many survivors. For example paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1982, lived for another 20 years until he passed away due to complications from a different illness. Symptoms Many people with mesothelioma have symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. Early symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses or ignored. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's vital to see your doctor right away. The organs in your body are protected by mesothelium, a layer. This layer protects them from coming into contact. Mesothelioma is a cancer that targets mesothelium, the cell that line your organs. The lining surrounding your lung is the most commonly area where mesothelioma first appears. But, it can develop in the heart (pericardium) and abdomen (peritoneum) or the lining around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The first signs of mesothelioma include breathlessness or chest pain, as well as fatigue. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs and chest wall resulting in the formation of pleural effusion. Pleural effusions can place pressure on the lungs and cause difficulty breathing and a cough. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by taking a patient's medical history and conducting an examination. They may order chest X-rays which can reveal signs of abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining, or the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall. They may also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to get a closer look at the lung or other tissues within your body. They may also drain any fluid that accumulates in the pleura and the peritoneum using an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure. A biopsy may help determine the mesothelioma type that is forming the tumor, and how it is advancing. This can help doctors determine the best treatment options. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the three main types of mesothelioma treatments that are standard. The following is a list of preventatives. Mesothelioma is not preventable, however you can minimize the risk by avoiding individuals who are exposed to asbestos, and avoiding it. Exposure to asbestos may cause lung cancer and other illnesses that affect the organ linings. There are several types of mesothelioma, some more dangerous than others. Certain types are easier to treat than others. Asbestos is an assortment of minerals with microscopic fibers. It was utilized in construction and industrial products by manufacturers who were unaware of the dangers. Blue-collar workers and veterans were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be a risk and should not reside in a house or work in an old factory that has asbestos. If you have an antecedent of exposure to asbestos, talk with your doctor about undergoing regular screening. X-rays and CT or MRI scans can help spot issues with your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy may also reveal the presence of a tumor in the lining of your chest or stomach. Doctors can analyze tissue samples from this area to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma that affects the lungs' lining. Other kinds include pericardial, testicular or the peritoneal. After asbestos exposure it may take many years before mesothelioma is diagnosed. Even then, it can be hard to diagnose. It is often misdiagnosed with other diseases or conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, or lung cancer. This could prevent you from receiving the proper treatment. Researchers are trying to improve diagnosis and create tests that can detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead better treatments and a greater survival rate. Genetic testing is used to determine those who are most likely the disease.