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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure, is a natural-occurring cancer. The disease typically develops over the course of years after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three kinds. The type of cells that makes up the tumor and its stage influences the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? The cancerous mesothelioma forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that lines organs inside). It is caused by asbestos, a grouping of fibrous minerals. The exposure to asbestos typically occurs when people inhale or swallow stray asbestos fibers. The asbestos particles stick to organ linings and can cause irritation, which then causes tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma can be confirmed by doctors when they look at the tumors and take a tissue sample also known as a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified by type depending on the type of cells seen in the tumors. The three types of mesothelioma are epithelial (also known as sarcomatoid) biphasic, sarcomatoid and epithelial. Epithelial Mesothelioma makes up about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma makes up 10 percent of cases, and has a lower prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic is a mesothelioma that is composed of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells and accounts for 30% to 40% of all diagnoses. The signs of mesothelioma could include difficulty breathing and chest pain or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to symptoms of other diseases, so it is imperative to see a doctor if you have them. Treatment for mesothelioma could improve symptoms, slow tumour growth and prolong the lives of patients. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Palliative care is accessible for patients and helps reduce discomfort and pain. Doctors are still pursuing ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it grows. Immunotherapy is an innovative treatment that uses your own immune system to fight the cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise for some mesothelioma patients. Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials, which are research studies of new therapies. Mesothelioma patients are typically treated in cancer centers with specialized doctors who treat the disease. Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis can be the first step in receiving treatment that can extend your life. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma that you have. This is crucial because the three main mesothelioma cells kinds respond differently to treatment. laguna niguel mesothelioma lawsuit that your doctor might suggest is chest X-rays or CT scan. In this test, you lay on a table as the X-ray or CT machine takes a clear picture of your chest and the organs around it. A small injection of a dye, most often iodine is typically administered prior to the procedure. This makes the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, which makes it easier to see. During this time, you could be asked to complete an exercise to test your breathing. If these tests reveal a possible tumor or mass that is cancerous, your physician may request biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of a sample of the tumor or mass, either surgically or by inserting needles into the area. The sample is then tested under a microscope, looking for mesothelioma cells. In some instances our experts use ultrasound to detect lymph nodes that are enlarged and could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. It is done on an outpatient basis which means you can return home the next day. A mesothelioma specialist will also require the stage of the disease. The stages are determined by the extent to which the cancer has spread and which kind of mesothelioma is it. A mesothelioma doctor can provide you with a reliable diagnosis to ensure you receive the correct treatment. Treatment The treatment plan of a mesothelioma patient is determined by the extent of the disease and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients usually receive multimodal therapy which consists of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma involves undergoing an examination on the body and advising the doctor about any previous exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also request imaging scans and blood tests to look for mesothelioma and rule out other illnesses. 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 sample lymph nodes within the chest cavity). Most pleural cases of mesothelioma are treated surgically. Patients may undergo a minimally invasive procedure referred to as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can boost a patient’s life expectancy and reduce symptoms. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells and stop their growth. It is a standard treatment for mesothelioma and can prolong the survival of patients. It is administered via intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form. Radiation is a different mesothelioma treatment which can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors. It is used to treat pleural cancers at different stages, as well as to alleviate pain and extend the life span of patients. In the latter stages of mesothelioma therapy, doctors focus on controlling symptoms to prolong the lifespan of patients as long as is possible. This kind of treatment is known as palliative care. Although the average mesothelioma survival rate is very low however, there are many who have survived. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal peritoneal cancer in the year 1982. He lived another 20 years before passing away due to complications from another illness. Symptoms Many people suffering from mesothelioma show symptoms for months or even years before they are diagnosed. Early symptoms could be mistaken for other ailments or ignored. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult your physician immediately. Your body's organs are wrapped in a layer of tissue called the mesothelium. This layer keeps them from rubbing against one the other. Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects mesothelium, which is the cells that line your organs. The lining around your lungs is the most common area where mesothelioma first appears. However, it may develop in the heart (pericardium) as well as in your abdomen (peritoneum) as well as the lining around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The earliest symptoms of mesothelioma can be breathlessness as well as chest pain and fatigue. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up inside the chest wall and lungs which can cause an effusion in the pleura. A pleural effusion can create pressure on the lungs, which can cause coughing and breathing difficulties. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough medical exam and taking the patient's history. They can request chest Xrays that can reveal abnormalities, such as thickening of lung lining or a buildup of fluid in the chest wall. They may also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to have a more detailed look at your lungs and other tissues. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles in order to drain fluid from the pleura and peritoneum. A biopsy will reveal what type of mesothelioma cells are making up the cancer and how they are growing. This can help doctors determine the most effective treatment options. The three standard mesothelioma treatments are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable, however you can reduce your chance of developing it by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos and staying away. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer as well as other ailments that affect the linings of certain organs. There are many kinds of mesothelioma, some more serious than others. Certain types of mesothelioma are easier to treat. Asbestos is a group of minerals that are made up of thin micro-sized fibers. It was used in construction and industrial products by companies who were not aware of the risks. Blue-collar workers and veterans were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been proven to be a risk and should not reside in a residence or work in an old factory which has asbestos. If you have a history of exposure to asbestos, talk with your doctor about undergoing regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can detect problems in your lungs, abdomen or stomach. A biopsy can also reveal the presence of a tumor in the chest or stomach. Doctors will test samples of tissue from this area to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma. There is a possibility that you have pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung's lining. Other types include testicular, pericardial or the peritoneal. After exposure to asbestos it may take many years before mesothelioma develops. Even then, it is difficult to detect. It is often mistakenly diagnosed with other diseases or conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis or cancer. This can hinder you from receiving the correct treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and design tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could result in better treatments and a higher rate of survival. The study involves using genetic tests to determine those most likely develop mesothelioma.