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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 is usually diagnosed years after exposure.

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

There are three kinds of mesothelioma. The stage and type of cells that compose the tumor impact the prognosis.

What is Mesothelioma?

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

Asbestos exposure happens when people swallow or inhale stray fibers. These asbestos particles cling to the lining of organs and can cause irritation, leading to tumors. Mesothelioma is detected when doctors study the tumors and collect samples of the tissues, known as biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified based on what type of cells are identified in the tumors. The three types of mesothelioma are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid), biphasic and sarcomatoid. Epithelial mesothelioma is by far the most frequent type and accounts for 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is 10 percent of all cases and has a less favorable prognosis than the epithelial form. Biphasic is a mesothelioma that is composed of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells, and can be found in 30% to 40 percent of all diagnoses.

The symptoms of mesothelioma can include breathing difficulties and chest pain or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms can be similar to other conditions. It is important to see a doctor right away when you notice them.

Treatment for mesothelioma might help alleviate symptoms, slow tumor growth and allow patients live longer. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Palliative care is available to patients and can help reduce discomfort and pain.

Doctors are still pursuing ways to treat mesothelioma as well as how it expands. New treatments include immunotherapy which utilizes your body's immune system to fight cancer. This experimental treatment has shown promise in a few mesothelioma cases. Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials, which are research studies on new treatments. Often, mesothelioma case patients are treated in specialist cancer centers where they are able to get access to doctors with experience treating the condition.

Diagnosis

A mesothelioma diagnosis is the initial step in receiving treatment that could prolong your life. Your doctor will look over your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma that you are suffering from. This information is important because the three primary mesothelioma cell types respond differently to treatment.

Your doctor may recommend a chest X ray or CT scan as the first test. During the procedure, you lie on a table as the X-ray or CT machine produces a detailed picture of your chest and the surrounding organs. Before the procedure, a small injection of dye, usually iodine is given. The dye makes the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, making it easier to observe. You might be asked to take a the test of breathing at this time.

If these tests show a possible tumor or mass that could be cancerous, your physician may decide to take an examination for biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing the mass or tumor, either surgically or by inserting needles into the area. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for mesothelioma-like cells.

Our specialists can use ultrasound to identify lymph nodes that are enlarged which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is called endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, or EBNA. This procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you can return home on the next day.

A specialist in mesothelioma will also need to know the stage of the cancer. The stages are determined by the extent to which the cancer has spread, and also which kind of mesothelioma it is. A precise diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist is the best way to make sure that 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 typically undergo multimodal therapy which consists of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

The first step to treat mesothelioma involves undergoing an examination for physical health and telling the doctor about any prior exposure to asbestos. Doctors can also request blood tests or imaging scans to look for mesothelioma and rule out any other conditions. 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 look at and sample lymph nodes that are located in the chest cavity).

The majority of mesothelioma cases that are pleural are treated surgically. A patient 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 life expectancy of a patient and reduce symptoms.

Chemotherapy utilizes drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from advancing. It is standard mesothelioma treatment and can help extend survival. It is available in intravenous (IV) drip or pill form.

Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment which can shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It is offered at different stages of pleural mesothelioma in addition to helping to relieve the pain and make patients live longer.

In the later stages of mesothelioma, doctors often concentrate on reducing symptoms and extending the life of a patient for as long as possible. This kind of treatment is called palliative treatment. Despite the low survival rate of mesothelioma, there's still a lot of survivors. For instance, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1982, lived another 20 years before passing away from complications from another illness.

Signs and symptoms

Many people suffering from mesothelioma show symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. The early symptoms are similar to those triggered by other illnesses, and it is easy to ignore or confuse them for minor ailments. 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 which is a type of layer. This layer prevents them from touching. mesothelioma law affects mesothelium cells that make up the lining of several of your organs. Most mesothelioma cases begin in the lining around your lungs. However, it may also be found in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around testicles (tunica vaginalis).

The initial symptoms of mesothelioma may include chest pain, fatigue, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up in the chest wall and lungs leading to the formation of pleural effusion. A pleural effusion can put pressure on the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing and cough.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma is made after a thorough medical exam and examining the patient's history. They may order chest Xrays to determine if there are any abnormalities, like thickening in the lung's lining, or fluid accumulation on the chest wall. They can also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to get an in-depth look at the lung or other tissues of your body. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles to drain fluid from the peritoneum and pleura.

A biopsy can reveal which mesothelioma types are forming the tumor and how they develop. This can help doctors determine the most effective treatment options. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the three main types of standard Mesothelioma Case treatments.

Prevention

Mesothelioma is not preventable however you can reduce your risk by abstaining from asbestos and staying away from those who suffer from it. Exposure to asbestos may cause lung cancer and other illnesses that affect organ linings. There are many kinds of mesothelioma, some more dangerous than others. Certain types of mesothelioma are more manageable.

Asbestos is a class of minerals that are made up of thin microscopic fibers. Manufacturers used it in industrial and construction products without being aware of its potential dangers. Blue-collar workers and veterans were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been found to be a risk and you shouldn't live in an old factory or work there.

If you have a history of exposure to asbestos or asbestos-related diseases, speak with your doctor about having regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can identify problems in your lungs, abdomen or stomach. A biopsy may also help identify cancer in the lining of your chest or stomach. Doctors can then test the tissue sample from that region to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma which affects your lungs' lining. Other kinds include testicular, pericardial or the peritoneal.

After exposure to asbestos it could take several years before mesothelioma is diagnosed. Even then, it can be difficult to detect. It is often misdiagnosed as a different condition or illness like lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This can prevent you getting the appropriate treatment. Researchers are trying to improve diagnosis, and are developing tests that can detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead better treatments and a better survival rate. Genetic tests are used to identify those who are most likely to develop the disease.