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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is associated with exposure to asbestos an element that occurs naturally. The disease typically develops over the course of decades after the exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma using radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types of mesothelioma. The stage and the type of cells that comprise the tumor influence the prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? The mesothelioma-related cancer develops in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that line organs inside). It is caused by asbestos, a grouping of fibrous minerals. The most common exposure to asbestos occurs when people swallow or inhale stray asbestos fibers. These asbestos particles cling to the lining of organs and cause irritation, leading to tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma is able to be confirmed by doctors when they examine the tumors, and obtain a tissue sample, also known as biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified based on what type of cells are identified in the tumors. The three types are epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Epithelial Mesothelioma accounts for about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma represents 10 percent of all cases, and has a worse prognosis than the epithelial type. Biphasic mesothelioma consists of both epithelial and sarcomatoid cells, which is responsible for 30 to 40% of all diagnoses. Symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathing problems or chest pain, or pain in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, which is why it is essential to consult the doctor if you experience them. Treatment for mesothelioma can improve symptoms, reduce tumour growth and make it easier for patients to live longer. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients can also seek palliative care, which can help manage pain and discomfort. Doctors are still pursuing ways to treat mesothelioma and the ways it spreads. New treatments include immunotherapy, which relies on your body's immune system to fight cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise for a few mesothelioma patients. Patients may also participate in clinical trials, which are studies of new therapies. Patients with mesothelioma are often treated at cancer centers with specialized doctors who treat the disease. Diagnosis The first step in receiving treatment to prolong your life span is a mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Your doctor will begin by examining your health history and symptoms, then determining the type of mesothelioma in your body. This information is important because the three mesothelioma cell kinds respond differently to treatment. The first test that your doctor may order is a chest X-ray or CT scan. During this test, you lay on a table while the X-ray or CT machine produces a precise image of your chest and the surrounding organs. Prior to the procedure, a small injection of dye, typically Iodine is administered. This will make the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, making it easier to observe. You might be asked to take a an exercise in breathing during this period of time. If these tests show a possible cancerous tumor or mass the doctor may order an examination for biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of an area of tissue from the mass or tumor through surgery or by inserting an needle into the area. The specimen is then analyzed under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cell. In certain cases our experts use ultrasound to find enlarged lymph nodes that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound guided needle aspiration or EBNA. It is performed on an outpatient basis so you can return home the same day. A mesothelioma specialist will also require the stage of the cancer. The stages are determined based on how far the cancer has spread and the type of mesothelioma you have. Finding a reliable diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist the best way to ensure that you get the right treatment. Treatment The mesothelioma treatment for a patient will depend on how far the disease has progressed and their overall health. Patients who have mesothelioma usually receive multimodal treatment, which can include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. The first step to treating mesothelioma includes an examination of the body and telling your doctor about any asbestos exposure you may have had in the past. Doctors can also request imaging scans or blood tests to determine if mesothelioma is present and to rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography), and mediastinoscopy. Most pleural cases of mesothelioma are treated surgically. Patients can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure called video-assisted needle biopsy or CT-guided surgical thoracoscopic. Both surgeries are able to reduce symptoms and improve the patient's life expectancy. Chemotherapy is a treatment that makes use of drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing. It is a standard treatment for mesothelioma and can improve survival. It is available as an intravenous drip (IV) or in pill form. Radiation is a mesothelioma therapy which can shrink tumors and kill cancerous cells. ofallon mesothelioma attorneys is available at different stages of pleural mesothelioma, in addition to helping to relieve the pain and make patients live longer. In the last stages of mesothelioma treatment, doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to prolong the life span of a patient as long as they can. This type of treatment is known as palliative treatment. Despite the low rate of survival of mesothelioma there are still a lot of survivors. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal peritoneal cancer in 1982. He lived for another 20 years before he passed away of complications from a different illness. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms for months or even years before an official diagnosis is made. The initial symptoms are similar to those triggered by other conditions and it is easy to overlook or misinterpret them for minor illnesses. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to consult your physician immediately. The organs of your body are covered in a tissue layer known as mesothelium. This layer keeps them from colliding with each against one another. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel that form the linings of many of your organs. The majority of cases of mesothelioma occur in the lining surrounding your lungs. However, it can also manifest in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and within the lining surrounding your testicles (tunica vaginalis). The initial symptoms of mesothelioma may include fatigue, chest pain, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up in the chest wall and lungs leading to pleural effusion. Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs and cause difficulty breathing and cough. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough medical examination and taking the patient's history. They may also order chest X-rays to determine if there are any abnormalities, such as thickening in the lung's lining or fluid buildup on the chest wall. You can also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to have a more detailed look at your lungs or other tissues. They can also use ultrasound-guided needles in order to drain fluid from the pleura and peritoneum. A biopsy can determine which type of mesothelioma cells are making up the cancer and how they are growing. This will allow doctors to choose the most effective treatment options. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the three different types of standard mesothelioma treatments. Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable, however you can minimize the risk by avoiding individuals who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding them. Exposure to asbestos may cause lung cancer as well as other ailments that affect the organ linings. There are several types of mesothelioma, some more dangerous than others. Certain types of mesothelioma can be easier to treat. Asbestos is made up of a group of minerals with microscopic fibers. Manufacturers employed it in construction and other industrial products without knowing about the dangers it poses. Blue-collar workers and veterans were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be dangerous and you shouldn't live in an old factory or work there. If you have a history of exposure to asbestos, talk with your doctor about getting regular screening. X-rays as well as CT or MRI scans can help identify issues with your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy may also reveal an abnormality in the chest's lining or stomach. Doctors can then analyze a tissue sample from that area to see whether you are suffering from mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma which affects the lining of your lungs. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma testicular mesothelioma, or pericardial meso. It could take years for mesothelioma's development after exposure to asbestos. Even then, it can be hard to diagnose. It often is misdiagnosed as a different condition or illness like lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This could hinder you from receiving the correct treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and create tests that detect mesothelioma sooner. This could lead to better treatment and a higher survival rate. Genetic tests are used to identify those most likely to develop the disease.