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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancer associated with exposure to asbestos the mineral that occurs naturally. The disease typically develops years after exposure. The treatment of mesothelioma by doctors is chemotherapy radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types. The type of cell that makes up the tumor and the stage of the tumor affects the prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? The mesothelioma that is cancerous forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that line 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. These asbestos particles cling to the lining of organs and can cause irritation, leading to tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma is able to be made by doctors after they look at the tumors and collect a tissue sample, also known as a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified by type by the type of cells found in the tumours. The three mesothelioma types are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid) triphasic, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Epithelial mesothelioma is by far the most popular type which accounts for approximately 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10 percent of cases and has a worse prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic is a mesothelioma that is composed of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells and is responsible for between 30% and 40 percent of all diagnoses. The signs of mesothelioma could include breathing difficulties and chest pain or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms can be similar to other conditions. It is important to consult a doctor immediately when you notice them. Treatment for mesothelioma may reduce symptoms, slow tumor growth and prolong the lives of patients. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients can also seek palliative treatment, which helps reduce discomfort and pain. Doctors are still researching ways to treat mesothelioma and the ways it expands. Immunotherapy is a novel treatment that relies on your own immune system to fight the cancer. This experimental treatment has shown promise in some mesothelioma cases. Patients may also participate in clinical trials, which are research studies of new treatments. Patients with mesothelioma are often treated in cancer centers that have specialized specialists who treat the condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis is the initial step to receiving treatment that could prolong your life span. Your doctor will look over your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from. This is important because the three mesothelioma cells react differently to treatment. Your doctor might recommend an X-ray of your chest or CT scan as the first test. In this procedure, you lie on a table while the X-ray or CT machine produces a detailed picture of your chest and the organs around it. Before dothan mesothelioma attorneys , a small injection of dye, which is usually iodine, is given. This makes the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, which makes it easier to observe. You may be asked to take an exercise in breathing during this period of time. If these tests reveal the possibility of a tumor that is cancerous or mass the doctor may order the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy involves removing a sample of the tumor or mass, either surgically or by inserting a needle into the area. The specimen is then analyzed under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cells. Our doctors can employ ultrasound to identify the presence of lymph nodes that have enlarged that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is called endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration or EBNA. It is done on an outpatient basis, so you can return home the same day. A mesothelioma specialist will also require your stage of the disease. The stages are determined based on how the cancer has spread, and the type of mesothelioma you have. Receiving a precise diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist the best way to make sure that you receive the correct treatment. Treatment The treatment plan of mesothelioma patients is determined by the extent of the disease as well as their general health. Patients with mesothelioma generally receive multimodal treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma involves physical examination and advising your doctor about any asbestos exposures you may have been exposed to in the past. Doctors also conduct imaging scans and blood tests to check for mesothelioma, and rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) and mediastinoscopy. Surgery is an option for most pleural mesothelioma cases. 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 the patient's life expectancy as well as alleviate symptoms. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells and stop them from advancing. It is a common mesothelioma treatment and can extend the duration of survival. It is administered via intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form. Radiation is a mesothelioma therapy that shrinks tumors and kill cancerous cells. It can be used to treat pleural cancer in different stages, as well as to alleviate pain and extend the life span of patients. In the final stages of mesothelioma, doctors usually concentrate on controlling symptoms and extending the life of a patient for as long as possible. This type of treatment is called palliative treatment. Although the average mesothelioma survival rate is very low, there are many survivors. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal peritoneal cancer in the year 1982. He remained alive for another 20 years until he died of complications resulting from another illness. Symptoms Many patients with mesothelioma experience symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. Early symptoms can be misinterpreted as a sign of other ailments or overlooked. If you experience any of these symptoms it is important that you see your doctor immediately. The organs of your body are protected by mesothelium, a layer. This layer keeps them from rubbing against each against one another. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects mesothelium- the cells that line your organs. The lining of your lung is the primary place where mesothelioma begins. However, it could be found in your heart (pericardium) and abdomen (peritoneum) or the lining around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The first symptoms of mesothelioma include breathlessness or chest pain, as well as fatigue. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up in the chest wall and lungs which can cause an edema called pleural. A pleural effusion could put pressure on the lungs and cause difficulty breathing and a cough. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma following a thorough medical examination and taking the patient's medical history. They may request chest X-rays to detect abnormalities like thickening of the lung's lining, or fluid accumulation on the chest wall. You can also request a CT scan, MRI or PET scan to take a closer look at your lungs or other tissues. They can also use ultrasound-guided needles to remove fluid from the peritoneum and pleura. A biopsy can assist in determining the mesothelioma type that is forming the tumor and how it is growing. This will allow doctors to choose the most effective treatment options. The three main mesothelioma types are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Prevention Mesothelioma is not curable however you can reduce the risk by abstaining from asbestos and staying away from people with it. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer or other illnesses that affect organ linings. There are a variety of types of mesothelioma. Some are more serious than others. Some types of mesothelioma are more manageable. Asbestos is a group of minerals that have microscopic fibers. Manufacturers employed asbestos in the construction industry as well as other industrial products, without knowing about the dangers it poses. Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is now recognized to be hazardous and you should never live in a house or work in an old factory that contains it. If you have an antecedent of exposure to asbestos, consult with your doctor about having regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners will reveal any issues in your abdomen or lungs. A biopsy can identify cancerous tissue in the lining of your stomach or chest. Doctors can analyze tissue samples from this area to determine if you're suffering from mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma which affects your lung's lining. Other kinds include pericardial, testicular or the peritoneal. After asbestos exposure it could take several years before mesothelioma begins to develop. Even then, it can be difficult to recognize. It's 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 trying to improve diagnosis, and are developing tests that can detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead better treatments and a higher survival rate. The study includes genetic testing to determine who is most likely to develop mesothelioma.