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Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer correlated with exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral. The disease usually develops for decades after exposure.

Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Treatment can help patients live longer.

There are three types of mesothelioma. The type of cells that composes the tumor, and the stage of the tumor affects the prognosis.

What is mesothelioma?

The mesothelioma cancerous form forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that lines internal organs). It is caused by asbestos, which is a grouping of fibrous minerals.

Asbestos exposure occurs when individuals take in or breathe in stray fibers. The asbestos particles stick to the linings of organs and can cause irritation, which then causes tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma may be made by a doctor after they examine the tumors, and take a tissue sample also called biopsy. Mesothelioma can be classified based on what kind of cells are present in the tumors. The three types of mesothelioma are epithelial (also known as sarcomatoid) triphasic, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Epithelial mesothelioma is responsible for around 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10 percent of cases and has a lower prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic Mesothelioma is a mixture of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones. It accounts for 30 to 40 percent of all diagnoses.

Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, chest pain, and breathing problems. These symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, and it is important to see your doctor if you suffer from these symptoms.

Treatment for mesothelioma may improve symptoms, reduce tumour growth and allow patients to live longer. Treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Patients can also receive palliative treatment, which helps reduce discomfort and pain.

Doctors are still pursuing ways to treat mesothelioma as well as how it spreads. New treatments include immunotherapy which relies on your body's immune system to fight cancer. This experimental treatment has proven effective in a number of mesothelioma cases. Patients may also participate in clinical trials, which are studies of new therapies. Patients with mesothelioma tend to be treated at cancer centers that have specialized doctors who treat the condition.

Diagnosis

A mesothelioma diagnosis is the initial step to receiving treatment that could prolong your life. Your doctor will analyze your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma that you have. This information is crucial because the three mesothelioma cells respond differently to treatment.

Your doctor may recommend a chest X ray or CT scan as the initial test. During this test, you lay on a table as the X-ray or CT machine creates a detailed picture of your chest and the organs around it. Prior to the procedure, a tiny injection of dye, typically Iodine, is administered. This makes the tissue in your abdomen or chest lighter and easier to observe. During this period, you might be asked to perform breathing tests.

If these tests show the possibility of a tumor, or mass that is cancerous, your doctor could decide to take an examination for biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of an area of tissue from the tumor or mass through surgery or by inserting a needle into the region. The specimen is then examined under a microscope, looking for mesothelioma cell.

In certain instances our specialists employ ultrasound to find enlarged lymph nodes that could be mesothelioma claim - Ejagalchi.com -. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle biopsy or EBNA. It is done on an outpatient basis so you can go home the same day.

A mesothelioma specialist will be able to determine the mesothelioma's stage. The stages are determined based on how far the cancer has spread and what kind of mesothelioma type you have. A mesothelioma specialist will provide you with a reliable diagnosis to ensure you receive the right treatment.

Treatment

A patient's mesothelioma treatment program depends on how far the disease has progressed and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients typically undergo multimodal therapy, which is a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

The first step in treating mesothelioma involves undergoing a physical examination and telling the doctor about any prior exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also order images and blood tests to look for mesothelioma and rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) scans and mediastinoscopy (used to examine and test lymph nodes inside the chest cavity).

The majority of mesothelioma cases that are pleural can be treated through surgery. A patient may undergo a minimally invasive procedure called video-assisted surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can boost a patient’s life expectancy and alleviate symptoms.

Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing. It is a standard mesothelioma treatment, and can prolong the duration of survival. It is administered via intravenous (IV) drip or pill form.

Radiation is a mesothelioma therapy that can shrink tumors and kill cancerous cells. It can be used to treat pleural tumors at different stages, and also to relieve pain and prolong the life span of patients.

In the final stages of mesothelioma legal treatment, doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to prolong the lifespan of a patient as long as is feasible. Palliative treatment is the name of this type of treatment. Despite the low rate of survival of mesothelioma, there's still many survivors. For example paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, lived for an additional 20 years before he died from complications of another illness.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a cancer that can manifest symptoms for weeks or even years prior to it is diagnosed. The initial symptoms are similar to those experienced by other diseases and it's easy to overlook or mistake them for minor illnesses. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see your doctor right away.

The organs of your body are surrounded by a layer called the mesothelium. This layer prevents them from rubbing against one against one another. Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that targets mesothelium, the cell that line your organs. The lining around your lung is the primary area where mesothelioma first appears. However, it can develop in the heart (pericardium), abdomen (peritoneum) or the tissue around your testicles (tunica vulginalis).

The initial signs of mesothelioma are often breathlessness or chest pain, as well as fatigue. Mesothelioma may also cause fluid accumulation in the lungs or chest wall which can cause an pleural effusion. A pleural effusion could put pressure on the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing and cough.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by taking an individual's medical history before doing an exam. They can request chest Xrays, which can show abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining, or the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall. They may also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to take a closer look at your lung or other tissues in your body. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles to drain fluid from the pleura and peritoneum.

A biopsy can reveal which type of mesothelioma cells are growing into the tumor and how they develop. This will help doctors decide on the best treatment options. The three main mesothelioma types are radiation, surgery and chemotherapy.

Prevention

Mesothelioma is not curable However, you can reduce your risk by abstaining from asbestos and staying away from people who have it. Exposure to asbestos may cause lung cancer as well as other ailments that affect organ linings. There are a variety of types of mesothelioma, some more severe than others. Certain types of mesothelioma are easier to treat.

Asbestos is a class of minerals with tiny micro-sized fibers. Manufacturers employed it in the construction industry as well as other industrial products, without knowing about the dangers it poses. Blue-collar and veteran workers were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be a danger and you shouldn't stay in an old factory or work there.

If you have a history of exposure to asbestos, consult with your doctor about undergoing regular screening. X-rays and CT or MRI scans can help identify issues with your lungs, or abdomen. A biopsy can also identify a tumor in the chest's lining or stomach. Doctors can then test a tissue sample from the area to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung's lining. Other types include pericardial, testicular or the peritoneal.

After exposure to asbestos it could take several years before mesothelioma is diagnosed. Even so, it can be difficult to detect. It often is misdiagnosed as another illness or condition such as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. This can prevent you getting the correct treatment. Researchers are working to improve the diagnosis of cancer and developing tests to detect mesothelioma sooner. This could result in better treatments and a higher rate of survival. The study involves using genetic testing to identify those most likely develop mesothelioma.