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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma, a cancerous condition caused by asbestos exposure is a cancer that occurs naturally. The disease is usually diagnosed decades after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three kinds of mesothelioma. The stage and the type of cells that compose the tumor can affect the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue is the lining of internal organs. It is caused by asbestos, which is a grouping of fibrous minerals. The exposure to asbestos typically occurs when people inhale or swallow stray asbestos fibers. The asbestos particles stick to the linings of organs they irritate and cause tumors. Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors examine the tumors and collect an in-depth sample of tissue called a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of cells are identified in the tumors. The three types are epithelial biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Epithelial Mesothelioma comprises about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma represents 10 percent of all cases, and has a poorer prognosis compared to the epithelial. Biphasic mesothelioma is a mix of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells, and can be found in 30% to 40% of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, chest discomfort and breathing difficulties. These symptoms may be similar to those of other conditions. It is crucial to consult a doctor immediately in the event that you experience any of these. Treatment for mesothelioma may help alleviate symptoms, slow tumor growth and allow patients live longer. suffolk mesothelioma attorneys include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients may also receive palliative care, which can help reduce 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 own immune system to fight cancer. This is an experimental treatment that has shown promise for some mesothelioma patients. Patients can also try clinical trials, which are studies of new treatments. Mesothelioma patients are typically treated at specialist cancer centers where they can consult with doctors who are experienced in treating the condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis can be the first step to receiving treatment that will prolong your life span. Your doctor will begin the process by looking over your symptoms and health history, then determining the type of mesothelioma you have. This is vital because the three mesothelioma primary cell kinds respond differently to treatment. The first test that your doctor might recommend is an X-ray of your chest or CT scan. During this procedure, you lie on a table while the X-ray or CT machine takes a clear picture of your chest and the surrounding organs. A small amount of dye, most often iodine is typically administered prior to the procedure. This makes the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, making it easier to observe. You may also be asked to take breath tests during this period of time. If these tests show the possibility of a cancerous tumor or mass, your doctor will probably take an examination for biopsy. A biopsy is the removal the sample from the mass or tumor through surgery or by inserting a needle into the region. The specimen is then analyzed under a microscope, looking for mesothelioma cells. In certain cases our specialists utilize ultrasound to identify enlarged lymph nodes that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. It is performed on an outpatient basis which means you can return home the next day. A mesothelioma doctor will also be required to determine the mesothelioma's stage. The stages are determined based on how the cancer has spread, and the type of mesothelioma you have. A mesothelioma specialist can give you a precise diagnosis to ensure you receive the right treatment. Treatment The mesothelioma treatment for a patient depends on how far the disease has progressed and their overall health. Patients suffering from mesothelioma typically receive multimodal treatment that includes chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma involves physical examination and advising your doctor about any asbestos exposures you have had in the past. Doctors may also recommend blood tests or imaging scans to determine if mesothelioma is present and to rule out other diseases. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans and FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) scans and mediastinoscopy (used to examine and sample lymph nodes in the chest cavity). Most pleural cases of mesothelioma can be treated surgically. A patient may undergo a minimally-invasive procedure known as video-assisted surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can reduce symptoms and improve the patient's life expectancy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop their growth. It is standard mesothelioma treatment and can extend the duration of survival. It can be given via intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form. Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment that can shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It can be given at different stages of pleural mesothelioma, as well as to alleviate pain and help patients live longer. In the late stage of mesothelioma treatment doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to extend the lifespan of patients as long as is feasible. Palliative care is the name for this type of treatment. Despite the low survival rate of mesothelioma, there's still many survivors. For example, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1982, lived for an additional 20 years before he died due to complications from another disease. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms for months or even years before a diagnosis is made. Initial symptoms may be misinterpreted as a sign of other ailments or ignored. However, if you have any of these symptoms, it's vital to see your doctor immediately. Organs in your body are encased in a tissue layer called the mesothelium. This layer helps keep them from colliding with each other. Mesothelioma can affect the mesothelium cell that make up the lining of many of your organs. The lining that surrounds your lung is the most commonly place where mesothelioma begins. But, it can be found in your heart (pericardium) as well as in your abdomen (peritoneum) as well as the lining around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The first signs of mesothelioma may include chest pain, fatigue and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause an accumulation of fluid in the chest wall or lungs which can cause an effusion of the pleural cavity. Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs and cause difficulty breathing and a cough. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough medical exam and examining the patient's history. They may order chest Xrays to detect abnormalities such as thickening in the lining of the lungs or the buildup of fluid on the chest wall. They can also order an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to take an examination of your lung or other tissues within your body. They may also eliminate any fluid that has accumulated in the pleura or the peritoneum through an ultrasound-guided aspiration procedure. A biopsy will reveal what kind of mesothelioma cells are making up the tumor and how they grow. This can help doctors determine the best treatment options. The three options of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the three kinds of standard mesothelioma treatments. Prevention Mesothelioma is not curable However, you can reduce your risk by not consuming asbestos and staying away from people who have it. Exposure to asbestos could cause lung cancer and other illnesses that affect the lining of specific organs. There are a variety of types of mesothelioma, some more dangerous than others. Some types are easier to treat than others. Asbestos is made up of a group minerals with microscopic fibers. It was used in industrial and construction equipment by manufacturers who were not aware of the dangers. Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were especially exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be dangerous and you shouldn't be living in an old factory or work there. If you have an history of exposure to asbestos or asbestos-related diseases, speak with your doctor about getting regular screening. X-rays and CT or MRI scans can help spot problems with your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy can reveal cancerous tissue in the lining of your stomach or chest. Doctors can test tissue samples from this area to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma. You could have pleural melanoma which affects the lining of your lungs. Other kinds include peritoneal melanoma, pericardial mesothelioma or testicular mesothelioma. After asbestos exposure it could take several years before mesothelioma develops. Even if it does, it can be hard to diagnose. It's often misdiagnosed as another illness or condition such as lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This can hinder you from receiving the appropriate 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 tests are used to determine those who are most likely to develop the disease.