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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the lungs chest cavity and in rare cases the tissues surrounding the abdomen and heart Exposure to asbestos is the primary reason for mesothelioma Asbestos fibers can become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage Cells turn into mesothelioma cancerous cells Symptoms Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect the organs within the body Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cells to undergo a change and form mesothelioma tumors Most cases of mesothelioma are located in the lung It can also occur in the tissues of the heart abdomen and testicles Shortness of breath chest discomfort and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma Additionally patients may are suffering from abdominal pain as well as fatigue weight loss and abdominal pain These symptoms are similar to many other diseases and are difficult to identify particularly in the initial stages of mesothelioma It may take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest The first step in identifying mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam and a medical history To determine the severity of the symptoms a doctor may order blood tests and imaging scans These scans include CT computertomography scans as well as MRI and PET scans positron emission Tomography district of columbia asbestos attorneys rays could reveal a lump or fluid that is not normal in the lungs These scans help the doctor determine the type and location of the mesothelioma The two most common types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and epithelioid About 70 of mesothelioma is epithelioid Sarcomatoid mesothelioma on the other hand is and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma The majority of patients with pleural cancer have a nonproductive painful cough and breathing difficulties In certain cases people with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur which is called pericardial effusion or a swelling of the scrotum tunica vaginalis The best way to accurately identify mesothelioma is through the taking of a biopsy of the tissue The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed will also dictate how a doctor manages the disease If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer doctors will remove excess fluid with the procedure called pleurodesis or insert an pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and improve respiration Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy Diagnosis Mesothelioma a form of cancer occurs in the organs linings known as the mesothelium The majority of cases occur in the lungs However it can also be found in the abdomen peritoneum or around the testes The signs of mesothelioma may appear between 10 and fifty years after the initial exposure Because of this latency time many patients can be misdiagnosed The illness is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that are less serious like pneumonia or the flu This can result in a delay in treatment that can reduce the chances of survival for a patient Those who suspect that they might have mesothelioma must visit their doctor right away During the initial visit doctors examine the medical history of a patient to identify any symptoms or conditions that may increase their likelihood of developing mesothelioma This includes any prior exposure to asbestos as well as the type and duration of the exposure The doctor will then recommend imaging tests for the chest and abdomen to determine if there are signs of mesothelioma Chest Xrays CT scans and MRIs can all show changes in the lungs including pleural thickness or fluid accumulation They can also reveal if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other regions of the body A doctor will also order a blood test to see whether the patient has high levels of certain substances linked to mesothelioma They can also perform an operation known as a Thoracentesis which involves removing fluid from the lungs and examining for cancerous cells If mesothelioma is found to be the cause the biopsy procedure is carried out to check a small sample of the tumor for cancerous cell This can be accomplished using VATS videoassisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure or through the use of a needle that is guided by a CT scan The results of this will aid in determining the best mesothelioma treatment option for the patient This could include chemotherapy surgery or radiation therapy Certain patients may choose to participate in immunotherapy This newer form of mesothelioma treatment can boost the quality of life for patients and improve their prognosis Treatment Mesothelioma a form of cancer is a threat to the tissues that line and protect organs such as the lungs stomach peritoneal or heart or testicles It is not possible to cure mesothelioma but treatment may help control symptoms Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and look for signs of mesothelioma Your doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure as it is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the tissues of the chest cavity the stomach tummy or the heart mesothelium This causes inflammation over time and may change normal cells into cancerous ones Imaging tests and blood tests can be used to detect mesothelioma Your healthcare provider will use an Xray chest scan to observe changes in your lung tissue and determine whether you have the buildup of fluid pleural effusion Your doctor will recommend an MRI CT scan or FDGpositron emission tomography PET to obtain precise images They will also perform the procedure of a needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will study the mesothelioma tissues under a microscope to detect cancerous cells and determine the type of mesothelioma you have The pathologist will employ a dye to stain the tissues to determine the type of cancer This dye is visible when certain types of cancer are present The doctor will then use techniques to magnify the tissue It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the cells that cause it appear similar to those of other types of cells within the body Your care team will try to confirm the diagnosis with other tests These include a blood test to determine levels of fibulin3 as well as mesothelinrelated soluble peptide Your healthcare provider will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma depending on your cancer type and stage Radiotherapy chemotherapy and surgery are the most popular treatments for mesothelioma The option of palliative therapy is available if your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage This can relieve the pain and other symptoms Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma varies on the type and stage of cancer and other factors such as the patients age as well as general health Patients should consult with knowledgeable doctors to find out more about the treatment options available to them Asbestos fibers may damage the tissues that line vital organs and protect them The asbestos fibers are breathed in or eaten and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation that transform normal cells into mesothelioma cancers The most common mesothelioma forms are mesothelioma pleural which forms on the lung linings as well as the chest cavity and abdomen mesothelioma The doctor diagnoses mesothelioma based on symptoms lab tests and Xrays They may also recommend that a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis A biopsy is the process of taking a small sample of tissue to be tested Doctors can then compare the samples of the biopsy to a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma cell type This information can help them predict the mesotheliomarelated life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan The mesothelioma types are epithelioid epithelial or epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells Each mesothelioma kind develops at a different rate and responds to treatment in a different way Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 60 to 80 of cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure to asbestos so many patients dont be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they begin to experience serious symptoms Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and have regular checkups During these visits doctors check for signs of exposure to asbestos such as scarring on the lung and other respiratory issues They can also perform an easy blood test to assess the health of a patients general If the results indicate that a patients risk for mesothelioma is high they can schedule additional tests to receive mesotheliomarelated prognosis This could include imaging tests like Xrays CT scans and ultrasound and lung function tests and a chest MRI or PET scan