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Mesothelioma Asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma as well as asbestosis can be similar Both are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers as well as dust People who have mesothelioma of the pleural may undergo treatment such as chemotherapy surgery and radiation Mesothelioma has four stages that show how the cancer has spread Doctors use staging to determine available treatment options and life expectation Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma mezohtheeLEEohmuh occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs It is most commonly found in the lung linings the abdomen and chest cavity pleura but it may also affect the membranes that connect the heart pericardium or abdominal cavity Mesothelioma can be malignant This means it is able to grow and spread outside of its original location The first symptom is typically an unremitting cough that does not produce Phlegm Other symptoms include shortness of breath weight loss and fatigue In some cases patients they experience lumps or swelling in their abdomen A patients doctor may recommend specialists if theyre experiencing these symptoms The specialist will perform a series of tests to determine whether the symptoms are caused by mesothelioma or another cancer They will use imaging scans to look inside the lungs abdomen or the heart and then perform biopsy to confirm the diagnosis In the case of pleural msothelioma there are two major surgical options A pneumonectomy that is extrapleural removes part of the lung affected the diaphragm as well as a part lining the heart A pleurectomy and pulmonary decortication removes only the pleura but not the entire lung Other forms of treatment include chemotherapy and radiation The former directs highenergy Xrays toward cancer cells to destroy them while the latter utilizes drugs such as carboplatin and pemetrexed to kill cancerous cells or slow their growth Patients should tell their doctor about any history of asbestos exposure This is vital as mesothelioma may develop up to twenty years after the initial exposure to asbestos The doctor will ask about the frequency of exposure as well as the duration of the exposure as these variables may impact the development symptoms If the GP suspects mesothelioma they will schedule for a CT scan to see how far the cancer has spread throughout the body If mesothelioma has spread to the lung a bronchoscopy should be conducted to look at the lungs airways and lymph nodes In certain cases a doctor may also recommend a PETCT or chest MRI scan to determine if cancer has developed to the heart Diagnosis The most reliable method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is to obtain a biopsy or fluid sample Doctors use this sample to identify cancerous cells that differ from normal cells A biopsy can be performed through a needle or surgery Doctors can also use imaging tests like xrays and CT scans to detect mesothelioma They may also perform an positronemission tomography PET scan PET which can be used to detect cancerous cells The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to symptoms of other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose The chest pain associated with mesothelioma could be mistaken as heart disease or lung cancer Additionally the asbestosrelated condition known as pleural effusion could be mistaken for pneumonia or bronchitis If doctors suspect that a patient is suffering from mesothelioma they will inquire about the patients previous exposure to asbestos and the symptoms The doctor will also conduct an examination of the body and inquire about the medical history of family members The doctor will request urine and blood tests to determine if there are elevated levels These tests can be done in the hospital or even at home These tests can aid doctors in determining the amount of asbestos is in the body and how well the organs are working They will also ask whether the patient has undergone any prior surgery A chest xray and a CT scan are performed to determine the presence of mesothelioma such as a thickening of the membrane that surrounds the lungs Doctors usually conduct an echocardiogram a test that utilizes sound waves to produce a picture of the heart if they suspect that a patient has pericardial mesothelioma A MRI scan might be useful in cases of pleural mesothelioma since it can provide detailed images of soft tissues Mediastinoscopy is a procedure that can be done by inserting a tube with a camera and light inside the chest in order to study and sample lymph nodes close to the middle This is particularly helpful in cases where mesothelioma has spread to these regions Treatment Mesothelioma asbestosis is a slowmoving respiratory disease however there are treatment options that can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life To alleviate fatigue and lung pain doctors can employ drugs techniques for draining fluids or surgery Doctors can also assist patients cope with their loss of energy and how it affects their daily lives The first step to treat mesothelioma asbestosis is finding out if cancerous cells are present The most effective method to determine that is through the procedure of a biopsy When they perform a biopsy physicians will take a small portion of mesothelium for examination under a microscope They are looking for cancerous cells A biopsy is usually done via surgery but doctors may also perform a procedure known as thoracentesis This involves inserting a needle in the chest to remove the fluid sample for testing After the test results are back a surgeon may decide to remove any part of the body that are affected by mesothelioma asbestosis This is typically performed for pleural mesothelioma however it can be performed to treat peritoneal mesothelioma as well Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs pleura Peritoneal Mesothelioma is caused asbestos fibers which are ingested into the digestive tract After surgery patients are able to make steps to increase their level of comfort district of columbia asbestos attorney include taking napping earlier during the day planning trips to the shops and other activities when they feel stronger and taking part in light exercises to lessen fatigue Patients can also inquire about clinical trials that are being conducted for the treatment of mesothelioma with their medical professional These trials study new mesothelioma therapies that have not yet been approved by the FDA Other treatments are also available including chemotherapy or radiation therapy as well as immunotherapy Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells whereas radiation and immunotherapy enhance the bodys natural defense systems against the cancer Targeted therapy involves using specific drugs to target weaknesses in mesothelioma cancer cells Because each patient and case is different it is crucial to discuss all treatment options with a mesothelioma doctor Prognosis A prognosis is a measure of how far a mesothelioma has spread and what the best treatment options would be It can also indicate the length of time patients can expect to live with mesothelioma The general health of a patient is an element in their prognosis for mesothelioma Healthier patients with more accurate blood tests like normal haemoglobin and higher white and platelet counts will have a greater chance of beating the disease They will also be able to tolerate chemotherapy and surgeries better than those who have less general health Mesothelioma can be described as a highly aggressive cancer that is often a poor prognosis than other types of cancer This is because it is often diagnosed much later when the cancer has already spread The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other diseases which makes it difficult to identify In some cases it can take a long time from the time that asbestos exposure begins until a person develops mesothelioma There are two kinds of mesothelioma peritoneal and pleural Both are caused from asbestos exposure The mesothelial tissues which cover the majority of the internal organs in the body The cancerous cells that cause mesothelioma pleural affect the membrane that surrounds the chest cavity It can also affect the membrane that surrounds the heart pericardium or the testicles lining testicular mesothelioma Asbestosis is not a variant of mesothelioma but it has similar symptoms to mesothelioma It is caused by exposure to asbestos and it can lead to lung issues such as the development of scarring and stiffness in the lungs Both mesothelioma as well as asbestosis can occur at the same time Mesothelioma cancer is only found in those who have been exposed to asbestos It usually develops in the chests lining stomach abdomen and other organs It is not triggered by smoking cigarettes and the majority of those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos while they were working Smokers or suffer from other conditions like diabetes or heart disease could be more likely to develop mesothelioma over others