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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesotheliomarelated symptoms are first noticed doctors will order imaging scans to determine whether a patient has potential cancerous growths in their chest or abdomen Mesothelioma is a common cause of other illnesses like pneumonia or lung cancer leading to confusion in diagnosis A biopsy is performed by a doctor in order to determine mesothelioma There are three main mesothelioma cells epithelial sarcomatoid and biphasic Each type responds differently to treatment and impacts the length of life Diagnosis If mesothelioma is suspected doctors will run several tests to confirm the diagnosis These include chest Xrays CT scans and biopsies The Xray shows a buildup of fluid on one side of the chest This is known as an effusion of the pleura and is usually the first manifestation of mesothelioma Xrays might not be the most reliable method of diagnosis A chest CT scan is the next step This produces a precise image of your lungs and organs A doctor can inject you with a dye that will reveal regions of potential cancer During the CT scan youll be passed through a doughnutshaped scanner as you lie on the mattress The procedure only takes a few minutes and isnt particularly uncomfortable even for people who are fearful of heights In some instances doctors may also perform an MRI test These tests make use of strong radio waves and magnetic fields to create highquality pictures of soft tissues like lung tissues An MRI can be used to determine if there is a mesothelioma affecting the diaphragm and identify the stage of the disease Some patients will also undergo a PET scan In this test you will be given a shot radioactive dye Cancer cells absorb the dye significantly more than healthy ones and thus appear brighter on the images A biopsy is the final test to confirm mesothelioma A doctor will remove a sample of the affected lining It will be scrutinized under a microscope for cancer cells This is done under local anaesthetic The procedure can be done through surgery or by inserting the needle using the aid of a CT scan If the biopsy results show mesothelioma the doctor will then consider the results of the other tests to determine its stage The stage is the measure of how far the mesothelioma has spread and what kinds of treatment are appropriate for you Learn more about staging by reading the section in the guide titled Staging Treatment There are many treatment options for mesothelioma Some treatments may improve the quality of life or prolong life for longer than others Mesothelioma patients should discuss their goals with their medical team to determine the most effective method Surgery is a method to treat mesothelioma During this procedure surgeons attempt to remove all cancerous tissues However when mesothelioma is at an advanced stage its unlikely that surgeons will be able to completely remove the tumor Surgeons can still reduce the symptoms The most commonlyused mesothelioma is found within the lining that surrounds the lungs In some instances there is a possibility that a person develops mesothelioma in the membrane surrounding the heart pericardial mesothelioma Rarely mesothelioma can affect the testicles Mesothelioma is treated using radiation and chemotherapy These treatments are usually administered in mesothelioma clinics that are specialized by highly experienced mesothelioma experts Chemotherapy is a method of treatment that utilizes drugs to kill mesothelioma cells and stop their growth Cisplatin and pemetrexed are the most commonly used firstline drugs for pleural msothelioma Radiation therapy employs highenergy beams to kill cancerous cell This treatment is often combined alongside other mesothelioma therapies like chemotherapy and surgery It can also be used to kill any microscopic residual mesothelioma which surgeons failed to remove during surgery These treatments can have numerous adverse consequences for patients suffering from mesothelioma These symptoms include nausea fatigue and even hair loss A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients choose the right treatment for their individual requirements They can also recommend alternative ways to improve a patients quality of life These could include regular lymphatic drainage to alleviate breathing problems or powerful painkillers Patients should inform their physicians know about any other medications for example herbal remedies supplements or overthecounter drugs This will allow them to avoid any potentially dangerous interactions between these medications Prognosis Mesothelioma a form of cancer affects the mesothelium membrane that lines our bodys cavities such as the chest and abdominal cavity When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma malignant cells can grow in the tissue and they can be spread to other parts of the body They can also cause symptoms like breathing difficulties or pain It is essential to have a mesothelioma diagnosis from a specialist doctor because this is the initial step to receiving treatment It could take a number of steps to identify mesothelioma which may include a physical examination along with lab tests and a biopsy A biopsy is a tiny sample taken from the mass or tumor to determine if mesothelioma is present A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma could be dangerous since it could delay treatment or worsen the outlook Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms can mimic lung cancer or common illnesses like pneumonia or bronchitis Due to this mesothelioma could be mistakenly identified as respiratory disorders The prognosis of mesothelioma differs depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma It also depends on factors such as the patients age general health and medical history The cancer can be treated through surgery chemotherapy and radiation therapy Patients may also receive palliative care to manage fatigue pain and other symptoms The mesothelioma stage is an indication of how much the disease has spread and how far it has already progressed A doctor will make use of their best judgment to determine the stage considering the symptoms and the speed at which the cancer is growing The chance of survival for mesothelioma is dependent on the patients stage and the type of cancer and the location The prognosis of those diagnosed with less prevalent types of mesothelioma is lower Patients who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma for example have a better chance of living longer because it is more likely to develop in the abdomen than pleural mesothelioma can do in the chest Additionally those who are tolerant for treatment can live longer than those who have a low tolerance For instance a few patients with peritoneal cancer have had positive results using the combination of surgical removal chemotherapy and radiation Signs and symptoms When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed they adhere to the organs lining and cause them to develop tumors Mesothelioma is most prevalent in the lungs but it can also manifest in the chest wall abdomen and testicles in males Symptoms of mesothelioma usually dont manifest until 4050 years after exposure The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is taking a history of exposure to asbestos Your doctor will perform physical examination and then examine your symptoms A chest X ray can show abnormal thickening or fluid in the space that separates the lungs and the chest wall A lung CT scan can be utilized to check for mesothelioma and other cancers of the lungs You can have blood tests done to determine the health of your liver and kidneys The doctor might also recommend an abdominal MRI or a PET scan to determine other mesothelioma and cancers of the chest wall lungs or abdomen If a biopsy is necessary doctors can remove a sample of the tumor through surgery or by using the use of a needle through the chest wall under local anesthesia The doctor will examine the tissue under microscope to determine if it is malignant mesothelioma or another cancer The results of the tests will help doctors determine the extent of the mesothelioma cancer following a mesothelioma They will assign mesothelioma a staging number which can be useful in planning your treatment They arent cancerous and they dont have the potential to grow back after removal surgically They typically form in the pleura or abdominal lining Because florida mesothelioma law firm affects the heart mesothelioma which forms in the pericardium can be more difficult to treat It can also recur following surgery Mesothelioma may also spread to other body parts such as the lymph nodes that are in the abdomen and chest The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to the symptoms of other less serious illnesses This can make it difficult to diagnose This could lead to a incorrect diagnosis which may delay your treatment Delay can cause more complications and decrease your chances of surviving