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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When the first signs of mesothelioma are discovered doctors will request imaging scans to determine whether the patient has possible cancerous growths on their abdomen or chest Mesothelioma symptoms may be misinterpreted as other illnesses such as lung cancer or pneumonia Doctors will also take the biopsy to diagnose mesothelioma There are three main mesothelioma types classified as epithelial epidermal and the sarcomatoid sarcoma and biphasic Each type responds differently treatment and has an impact on life expectancy Diagnosis Doctors will perform several tests when mesothelioma is suspected This includes chest Xrays CT scans and biopsies The Xray shows the presence of fluid on the chests left side This is known as pleural effusion and is often the first sign of mesothelioma Xrays might not be the most reliable method for diagnosis A chest CT scan is the next step This produces a precise image of your lungs and organs A doctor will inject you with dye to highlight the areas that are cancerous During the CT scanner you will be lying on a bed and passing through a doughnutshaped scanner The procedure is only just a few minutes and isnt too uncomfortable even for those who are claustrophobic In certain instances the doctor may perform an MRI test The scans produce highquality images by using radio waves and strong magnetic fields An MRI can be used to determine if there is mesothelioma of the diaphragm and identify its stage Some patients may also have an PET scan In this test youll be given a shot a radioactive dye Cancer cells absorb the dye significantly more than healthy ones and therefore appear brighter in the images A biopsy is the last test to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis A doctor will remove a portion of the affected lining The sample will be examined under a microscope to identify cancer cells This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and can be done through surgery or by inserting needles guided by an CT scan If the biopsy confirms mesothelioma your doctor will use the results of the other tests to determine the stage This stage indicates how far the mesothelioma has spread and what types of treatment are most suitable for you Learn more about staging by reading the section on this guide called Staging Treatment Many treatment options are available for mesothelioma Certain treatments can improve the quality of life or prolong the duration of life more than others Patients with mesothelioma need to discuss their goals and decide on the best treatment strategy Surgery is a method to treat mesothelioma Surgeons strive to remove any cancerous tissue during this operation If mesothelioma reaches an advanced stage it is possible that doctors will not be able to eliminate the tumor completely Surgeons can still reduce the symptoms The most wellknown mesothelioma type is mesothelioma that is found within the lining of the lung There is a possibility that mesothelioma may develop around the heart in certain cases pericardial mesothelioma Rarely mesothelioma may affect the testicles Mesothelioma is treatable with chemotherapy and radiation therapy These treatments are typically delivered in mesothelioma clinics that are specialized by highly experienced mesothelioma experts Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill mesothelioma cells and to stop their growth The combination of pemetrexed and Cisplatin is the most common firstline treatment for pleural mesothelioma Radiation therapy utilizes highenergy beams to destroy cancerous cells stockton mesothelioma lawyer of treatment is typically employed in conjunction with other mesothelioma treatment such as surgery and chemotherapy It is also a method to kill any residual microscopic mesothelioma that surgeons did not remove during surgery These treatments can trigger various adverse effects for patients suffering from mesothelioma The symptoms include nausea fatigue and loss A mesothelioma specialist can assist a patient find the right medication to fit their individual requirements They can also suggest alternative ways to enhance a patients quality of living This may include regular drainage of the pleura to ease breathing or strong painkillers Patients should also make sure their medical team knows about any other medications they take such as supplements herbs or overthecounter drugs This will allow them to avoid any potentially dangerous interactions between these drugs Prognosis Mesothelioma also called mesothelioma in the pleural area is a cancerous tumour that affects the membrane that forms the cavities of our bodies like the abdomen and chest cavity When a person has mesothelioma malignant cells can form in the tissue and they can spread to other areas of the body They can also cause symptoms such as pain or difficulty breathing It is very important to have a mesothelioma diagnosis by a specialist physician since this is the initial step to receiving treatment Mesothelioma diagnosis can be made in many ways including physical examination laboratory tests and the procedure of a biopsy A biopsy will take a tiny sample of the tumor or mass to check for mesothelioma A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma could be risky as it can delay treatment or make it more difficult to predict the outcome Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms may mimic lung cancer or common illnesses like pneumonia or bronchitis Because of this mesothelioma gets mistakenly diagnosed as a respiratory disease The prognosis of mesothelioma depends on the type and stage along with age general health and medical history There is no cure for mesothelioma but the cancer can be controlled by chemotherapy surgery or radiation therapy Palliative treatment can be offered to patients in order to treat symptoms such as fatigue pain and other signs A persons mesothelioma stage refers to how the disease has advanced and how much of it has already moved to other areas of the body A doctor will employ their best judgment to determine the stage by taking into consideration the symptoms and the speed at which the cancer is growing The rate of survival for mesothelioma depends on the patients stage and type of cancer and the location The prognosis for patients diagnosed with less common forms of mesothelioma are less favorable Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma are at greater chances of living longer due to the fact that it develops slower in the abdomen as compared to mesothelioma of the chest that is pleural Patients with high tolerance to treatment could also live longer than patients with a low tolerance For instance some people who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma have experienced positive results using the combination of surgical removal chemotherapy and radiation Signs and symptoms When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed they cling to the lining of organs and cause them to grow into tumors Mesothelioma usually occurs in the lungs However it can also manifest in the chest abdomen and testicles of males Symptoms of mesothelioma usually dont show up until about 40 to 50 years after exposure The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma involves taking a medical history of exposure to asbestos Your doctor will then perform an examination of your body and discuss your symptoms A chest Xray can reveal abnormal thickening of the pleura or fluid that is located between the lung and the chest wall A lung CT scan can also be used to identify mesothelioma as well as other cancers in the lungs A blood test can be ordered to check how your kidneys and liver are functioning The doctor could also suggest an abdominal MRI or a PET scan to check for other mesothelioma and cancers of the lungs chest wall or abdomen If it is determined that a biopsy is required doctors can remove it through surgery or by insertion of a needle through the chest wall while under local anesthesia The doctor will then examine the tissue under a microscope to determine if it is malignant mesothelioma or a different cancer The information from the tests will allow doctors to determine the extent of cancer after a mesothelioma diagnosis They will assign an estimated stage number to mesothelioma This will be helpful for planning your treatment They arent cancerous and they dont have the potential to grow back if surgically removed They typically occur in the abdominal lining or pleura Mesothelioma in the pericardium is more difficult to treat since it affects the heart It can also recur after surgery Mesothelioma can also spread other areas of the body including the lymph nodes that are in the abdomen and chest The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other less serious diseases This can make it difficult to determine the cause This can lead to a mistaken diagnosis which can delay your treatment In the event of delay treatment may result in complications and lower the chances of surviving