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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease caused by asbestos exposure, is a naturally occurring type of cancer. The disease is usually diagnosed years after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three kinds. The type of cancerous cell is responsible for the tumor and its stage influences the prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? The mesothelioma that is cancerous forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that encloses internal organs). It is caused by asbestos, a grouping of fibrous minerals. Exposure to asbestos usually occurs when people inhale or swallow stray asbestos fibers. The asbestos particles stick to organ linings, irritate them and cause tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma can be made by doctors after they look at the tumors and take a tissue sample also called a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of cells are found in the tumors. The three mesothelioma types are epithelial (also known as sarcomatoid) biphasic, sarcomatoid, and epithelial. Epithelial mesothelioma is the most common type that accounts for about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma accounts for 10% of cases and has a lower prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma has a mixture of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells, which is responsible for between 30% and 40 percent of all diagnoses. The symptoms of mesothelioma can include breathing problems or chest pain, or pain in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to those experienced by other diseases, so it is imperative to see your doctor if you suffer from these symptoms. Treatment for mesothelioma could reduce symptoms, slow tumor growth and help patients live longer. Treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Patients may also receive palliative care, which can help control pain and discomfort. Doctors continue to study ways to treat mesothelioma and how it expands. New treatments include immunotherapy which uses your body's immune system to fight cancer. This experimental treatment has shown promise in some mesothelioma cases. Patients may also participate in clinical trials, which are research studies of new therapies. Patients suffering from mesothelioma are usually treated in cancer centers that have specialized doctors who treat the condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis can be the first step to receive treatment that will prolong your life. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from. This information is crucial because the three primary mesothelioma cells respond differently to treatment. The first test your doctor might recommend is chest X-rays or CT scan. In the procedure, you lie on a table as the X-ray or CT machine produces a detailed image of your chest as well as the surrounding organs. A small injection of a dye, typically iodine, is usually administered prior to the procedure. This makes the tissue in your abdomen or chest lighter and makes it easier to be able to. During this time, you may be asked to do breathing tests. If these tests show an indication of a cancerous tumor mass, your doctor will probably take the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy is the removal an area of tissue from the mass or tumor, either by surgery or by inserting a needle into the site. The specimen is then analyzed under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma-like cells. In certain cases our specialists utilize ultrasound to identify lymph nodes that are enlarged and could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided aspiration, also known as EBNA. It is done on an outpatient basis which means you can return home the same day. A mesothelioma doctor will also be required to determine your stage of mesothelioma. The stages are determined based on how the cancer has spread and the kind of mesothelioma you are suffering from. A mesothelioma specialist will give you a precise diagnosis to ensure you receive the correct treatment. Treatment The treatment plan of mesothelioma patients is determined by the extent of the disease as well as their overall health. Patients with mesothelioma generally receive multimodal treatment, which can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma is to undergo 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 to rule out other ailments. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans as well as FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography) scans; and mediastinoscopy (used to examine and test lymph nodes in the chest cavity). The majority of mesothelioma pleural cases can be treated with surgery. A patient can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure known as video-assisted needle biopsy, or CT-guided thoracoscopic systolic surgical. Both surgeries can improve the patient's life expectancy as well as reduce symptoms. tampa mesothelioma attorneys , a treatment, utilizes drugs to destroy cancerous cells and stop them from expanding. It is a standard treatment for mesothelioma and can improve survival. It can be administered by intravenous drip (IV) or pill form. Radiation is a mesothelioma therapy which can shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It can be used to treat pleural tumors at different stages, and also to ease pain and prolong the lifespan of patients. In the last stages of mesothelioma treatment, doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to extend the life span of a patient as long as is possible. Palliative care is a term used to describe the goal 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 mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, lived for another 20 years before he died due to complications from another disease. Signs and symptoms Many patients with mesothelioma experience symptoms for months or even years before they are diagnosed. The initial symptoms are similar to those triggered by other diseases, and it is easy to overlook or mistake them for minor illnesses. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to see your doctor as soon as possible. Organs in your body are encased in a tissue layer known as mesothelium. This layer protects them from touching each and rubbing against each other. Mesothelioma affects mesothelium cells which form the lining of many of your organs. The lining that surrounds your lungs is the most common area where mesothelioma first appears. However, it can also develop in your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) as well as the skin around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The first signs of mesothelioma can be breathlessness and chest pain as well as fatigue. Mesothelioma may also cause fluid accumulation in the lungs or chest wall which can cause pleural effusion. A pleural effusion could put pressure on the lungs and cause difficulty breathing and a cough. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma following a thorough medical exam and taking the patient's medical history. They may order chest Xrays to check for abnormalities like thickening in the lining of the lungs or the buildup of fluid on the chest wall. You can also request a CT scan, MRI or PET scan to have a more detailed look at your lungs and other tissues. They can also flush any fluid that has accumulated in the pleura or the peritoneum by using an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure. A biopsy can identify which mesothelioma types are forming the tumor and the way they grow. This can help doctors choose the most effective treatment options. The three most common mesothelioma types are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The following is a list of preventatives. Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can minimize the risk by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding the area. Exposure to asbestos could cause lung cancer as well as other ailments that can affect the lining of certain organs. There are many types of mesothelioma and some are more serious than others. Some types are easier to treat than others. Asbestos is a group of minerals that are made up of thin microscopic fibers. Manufacturers used asbestos in construction and other industrial products without being aware of its dangers. Blue-collar workers and veterans were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known as a hazard, and you should not live in a home or work in an old factory which has asbestos. Discuss with your doctor regular screenings, especially if you have an earlier exposure to asbestos. X-rays as well as CT or MRI scans can help identify issues with your lungs, or abdomen. A biopsy may also help identify a tumor in the chest's lining or stomach. Doctors can then analyze the tissue sample taken from the area to determine whether you have mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of your lungs. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma testicular mesothelioma, or pericardial meso. It can take a long time for mesothelioma's development after exposure to asbestos. Even then, it can be difficult to recognize. It is often misdiagnosed as another illness or condition such as lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This can hinder you from receiving the correct treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and developing tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead better treatments and a better survival rate. Genetic tests are used to determine those who are most likely to develop the disease.