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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When the first signs of mesothelioma are noticed doctors will order imaging scans to determine if a patient has any possible cancerous growths on their chest or abdomen Mesothelioma signs can be misinterpreted as other illnesses like pneumonia or lung cancer A biopsy is performed by a doctor to determine mesothelioma There are three mesothelioma cells which include epithelial Sarcomatoid and biphasic Each type responds to treatment differently and has a different impact on life expectancy Diagnosis If mesothelioma is suspected doctors will run a variety of tests to confirm the diagnosis This could include a chest X ray CT scans and biopsies The Xray can show a buildup of fluid on one side of the chest This is called an effusion of the pleura and is usually the first sign of mesothelioma However Xrays are not the most reliable way to identify the disease The next step is an chest CT scan which creates an image of your lungs and other organs A doctor will inject you with a dye to highlight any areas that could be cancerous During the CT scan youll be guided through a doughnut scanner as you lie on a mattress The procedure takes only less than a minute and isnt too uncomfortable even for people who are fearful of heights In certain situations the doctor may also perform an MRI These tests use powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create highquality images of soft tissues like those in the lungs An MRI can be used to identify a mesothelioma affecting the diaphragm as well as determine the stage of the disease Certain patients may also undergo an PET scan In this test you will be given a shot of the radioactive dye Cancer cells absorb dye more than healthy cells which means they will appear more clearly on the pictures A biopsy is the last test to confirm mesothelioma A doctor will take a small amount of the affected lining which will then be tested under a microscope to determine whether cancerous cells are present This can be done under local anaesthesia or by using a CT scan or a needle If the biopsy results confirm mesothelioma the doctor will then consider the results of the other tests to determine the stage This stage describes the extent of mesothelioma as well as which treatment is best for you Learn more about staging by reading the section in this guide called Staging Treatment There are many treatment options for mesothelioma Some may improve quality of life and extend the duration of time than other Patients with mesothelioma need to discuss their goals and determine the best treatment plan Surgery can be used to treat mesothelioma In this procedure surgeons attempt to remove all cancerous tissues If mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage it is possible that doctors will not be able to eliminate the cancer completely However surgeons can reduce the symptoms The most commonlyused form of mesothelioma occurs in the lining surrounding the lung The mesothelioma can develop around the heart in a few instances pericardial msothelioma Rarely mesothelioma affects the testicles Mesothelioma is treated using chemotherapy and radiation The treatments are usually given at specialized mesothelioma centers by experienced mesothelioma specialists Chemotherapy is a method of killing mesothelioma cells and prevent their growth Pemetrexed and cisplatin are the common firstline combination of drugs for pleural mesothelioma Radiation therapy employs highenergy beams to kill cancerous cells This treatment is most often employed in combination with other mesothelioma treatments like surgery and chemotherapy It can also be used to kill any remaining microscopic mesothelioma which surgeons failed to remove during surgery Mesothelioma patients may experience many different side effects from these treatments These symptoms include nausea fatigue and hair loss A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients select the right treatment for their specific needs They can also suggest additional ways to improve a patients living quality These include regular drainage of the pleural fluid to ease breathing or powerful painkillers Patients should ensure the medical team is aware of any other medications they take such as supplements herbs or overthecounter drugs This will ensure that there arent any potentially harmful interactions between these medications Prognosis Mesothelioma also referred to as mesothelioma of the pleural region is a cancerous tumor that affects the membrane that lines the cavities of our bodies like the abdomen and chest cavity If someone has mesothelioma malignant cells can grow in the tissue which can expand to other parts of the body They can also cause symptoms like breathing difficulty or pain A specialist doctors diagnosis of mesothelioma is vital because its the first step towards receiving treatment It could take a number of steps to determine if mesothelioma is present including a physical exam lab tests and biopsy A biopsy will take a tiny sample of the tumor or mass in order to detect mesothelioma Getting a mesothelioma misdiagnosis can be very risky because it can delay treatment and worsen the prognosis Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because the symptoms are similar to those of lung cancer bronchitis or pneumonia Because of palmdale mesothelioma lawyer mesothelioma could be incorrectly identified as respiratory illnesses The prognosis for mesothelioma is determined by the type and stage of mesothelioma as well as the patients age and general health history There is no cure for mesothelioma however the cancer can be controlled through surgery chemotherapy and radiation therapy Palliative treatment can be offered for patients to control symptoms such as fatigue pain and other signs The stage of mesothelioma is an indication of how much a persons disease has spread and how far it has already progressed The doctor will use his or their best judgment when determining the stage taking into consideration the symptoms and the rate of growth of the cancer The survival rate of mesothelioma is contingent on the stage and type as well the location of the cancer Those diagnosed with the lesscommon mesothelioma forms have a lower chance of survival Patients with peritoneal msothelioma stand a higher chance of living a longer life as it develops slower in the abdomen than pleural msothelioma that is found in the chest Additionally those who have a good tolerance for treatment might be more successful than those with an intolerant For instance some individuals with peritoneal cancer have had good results after the combination of surgical removal chemotherapy and radiation Signs and symptoms Asbestos fibers may cause tumors in organs when they are taken inhaled or swallowed Mesothelioma most commonly occurs in the lung However it can also manifest in the chest abdomen and testicles of men Symptoms of mesothelioma usually dont show up until about 40 to 50 years after exposure The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma begins with a thorough background of exposure to asbestos Your doctor will then do a physical exam and review your symptoms A chest Xray could detect abnormal thickening or fluid in the space that separates the lungs and the chest wall A lung CT scan can also be used to identify mesothelioma as well as other lung cancers A blood test can be ordered to see how your kidneys and liver are functioning The doctor can require a chest MRI or an PET scan to check for any other potential cancers or mesothelioma within the lungs or chest wall If you are required to take a biopsy of the tumor is required doctors will remove it with surgery or by inserting a needle into the chest wall under local anesthesia The doctor will then study the tissue under a microscope to determine if it is malignant mesothelioma or another cancer The information from the tests will assist doctors in determining the extent of the cancer after a mesothelioma diagnosis They will assign a staging number to the mesothelioma which can help you plan your treatment Benign mesotheliomas arent cancerous and wont recur if they are completely removed surgically They typically develop in the pleura or abdominal lining Because it affects the heart mesothelioma which develops in the pericardium may be more difficult to treat It may also recur after surgery Mesothelioma can also spread to other areas of the body like the lymph nodes or bones that are outside the abdomen and chest The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to the symptoms of other less serious conditions This can make it difficult to identify This can lead to a incorrect diagnosis which may delay treatment In the event of delay treatment may lead to complications and reduce the chances of surviving