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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma a cancerous condition caused by asbestos exposure is a naturally occurring cancer The disease usually develops over the course of decades after exposure The treatment for mesothelioma is chemotherapy radiation and surgery Treatment can help patients live longer There are three types The type of cell forms the tumor and its stage influences the prognosis What is mesothelioma The mesotheliomarelated cancer develops in the mesothelium a thin layer of tissue that lines organs inside It is caused by asbestos which is a grouping of fibrous minerals Asbestos exposure occurs when individuals swallow or inhale small fibers The asbestos particles stick to the linings of organs irritate them and cause tumors The diagnosis of mesothelioma can be made by doctors after they examine the tumors and obtain a tissue sample also known as a biopsy Mesothelioma is classified according to the kind of cells are located in the tumors The three types are epithelial biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma Epithelial Mesothelioma makes up about 50 percent of all diagnoses Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10 of cases and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma Biphasic mesothelioma has a mixture of epithelial and Sarcomatoid cells and is responsible for between 30 and 40 percent of all diagnoses Symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathing difficulties or chest pain or pain in the abdomen These symptoms are similar to those of other conditions and it is important to see a doctor if you have them Treatment for mesothelioma can alleviate symptoms slow tumour growth and help patients live longer Treatment options include chemotherapy surgery and radiation therapy Palliative care is offered to patients and can help reduce discomfort and pain Doctors are still researching ways to treat mesothelioma and the ways it expands The latest treatments include immunotherapy which uses your bodys immune system to fight cancer This experimental treatment has shown promise in a few mesothelioma cases Patients are also able to take part in clinical trials which are studies on new treatments Patients with mesothelioma tend to be treated at cancer centers that have physicians who treat this condition Diagnosis The first step in receiving treatment to extend your life span is to get a mesothelioma diagnosis Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from This information is important because the three main mesothelioma cells types respond differently to treatment Your doctor may recommend an Xray of your chest or CT scan as the first test In this test you lay on an Xray table while the or CT machine produces a detailed image of your chest as well as the organs surrounding it A small amount of dye usually iodine is usually given before the procedure This makes the tissue of your chest or abdomen lighter making it easier to see During this time you may be asked to complete an air test If these tests reveal the possibility of a tumor that is cancerous or mass the doctor will most likely order a biopsy A biopsy involves removing the mass or tumor either surgically or by inserting needles into the area The sample is then tested under a microscope in order to look for mesotheliomalike cells In some instances our specialists utilize ultrasound to find lymph nodes with enlarged lymphatic vessels that could be mesothelioma This procedure is known as endobronchial Ultrasonographyguided needle biopsy or EBNA It is done as an outpatient procedure so you can return home the same day A mesothelioma specialist will need to determine your mesotheliomas stage The stages are determined by the extent to which the cancer has spread and also which kind of mesothelioma is it A mesothelioma specialist can provide you with a reliable diagnosis to ensure that you receive the correct treatment Treatment The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients depends on how much the disease has progressed and their overall health Patients suffering from mesothelioma typically receive multimodal treatment which can include surgery chemotherapy and radiation The first step in treating mesothelioma involves a physical exam and telling your doctor about any asbestos exposure you might have had in the past Doctors may also recommend imaging scans or blood tests to detect mesothelioma and to rule out other diseases These include CT computerized tomography scans MRI magnetic resonance imaging scans and FDGPET fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography scans and mediastinoscopy used to look at and sample lymph nodes inside the chest cavity boston mesothelioma lawsuit of mesotheliomarelated pleural cases can be treated with surgery A patient can undergo a minimallyinvasive procedure referred to as videoassisted needle biopsy or CTguided thoracoscopic surgery Both surgeries can enhance the life expectancy of a patient and decrease symptoms Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancer cells and stop them from advancing It is a common mesothelioma treatment and can prolong the duration of survival It can be administered via intravenous drip IV or in pill form Radiation is a different mesothelioma treatment which can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors It is used to treat pleural cancer in different stages as well as to alleviate pain and extend the life span of patients In the later stages of mesothelioma patients doctors typically focus on controlling symptoms and prolonging the patients life to the maximum extent possible This type of treatment is called palliative treatment Despite the low rate of survival of mesothelioma there are still many survivors Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal peritoneal cancer in 1982 He lived for another 20 years before he passed away of complications from another illness Signs and symptoms Many people with mesothelioma have symptoms for months or even years before they are diagnosed The initial symptoms are similar to those triggered by other conditions and it is easy to ignore or mistake them for minor ailments If you experience any of these symptoms it is crucial to see your doctor immediately The organs of your body are protected by mesothelium a layer This layer prevents them from colliding Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium cells that make up the lining of a number of your organs The majority of cases of mesothelioma start within the lining of your lungs However it can also manifest in the lining of your heart pericardium or abdomen peritoneum and within the lining surrounding your testicles tunica vaginalis The first signs of mesothelioma may include breathlessness as well as chest pain and fatigue Mesothelioma can also cause the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall and lungs resulting in an effusion in the pleura Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs which can cause coughing difficulties and breathing problems Doctors diagnose mesothelioma following a thorough medical examination and taking the patients history They may order chest Xrays which may reveal abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining or fluid buildup in the chest wall They may also request an MRI CT scan or PET scan to get a closer look at your lung and other tissues within your body They may also drain the fluid that collects in the pleura or the peritoneum using an ultrasoundguided needle aspiration procedure A biopsy can help determine the mesothelioma type that is forming the tumor and how fast it is growing This can help doctors determine the best treatment options Surgery radiation and chemotherapy are the three types of mesothelioma treatments that are standard Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable however you can reduce the risk by avoiding those who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding it Exposure to asbestos may cause lung cancer and other illnesses that affect organ linings There are many kinds of mesothelioma Some are more severe than others Some types of mesothelioma are easier to treat Asbestos is a group of minerals that have microscopic fibers Manufacturers used asbestos in the construction industry and other products without being aware of its dangers Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were particularly exposed to asbestos Asbestos has been proven to be hazardous and should not be a part of an old factory or work there Discuss with your doctor regular screenings especially if you have a past background of asbestos exposure Xrays CT or MRI scanners can reveal problems in your lungs or abdomen A biopsy may also reveal a tumor in the chests lining or stomach Doctors can test tissue samples from this area to determine if youre suffering from mesothelioma You could have pleural msothelioma which affects your lungs lining Other types include pericardial testicular or peritoneal After exposure to asbestos it can take many years before mesothelioma is diagnosed Even then it can be difficult to determine It is often misdiagnosed as a different illness or condition such as lung cancer pneumonia or bronchitis This can prevent you getting the right treatment Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and develop tests that detect mesothelioma earlier This could lead to better treatment and a higher survival rate Genetic testing is used to identify those who are most likely the disease