snailcrush0
User Name: You need to be a registered (and logged in) user to view username.
Total Articles : 0
Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancer associated with exposure to asbestos a naturally occurring mineral The disease usually manifests for several decades after exposure Doctors treat mesothelioma using radiation chemotherapy and surgery Treatment can help patients live longer There are three kinds of mesothelioma The type of cell forms the tumor and the stage of the tumor affects the prognosis What is Mesothelioma The mesotheliomarelated cancer develops in the mesothelium a thin layer of tissue lining internal organs It is caused by asbestos which is a grouping of fibrous minerals Asbestos is a risk when people swallow or inhale stray asbestos fibers The asbestos particles stick to the organs linings they irritate and cause tumors Mesothelioma is detected when doctors study these tumors and take samples of the tissues known as biopsy Mesothelioma is classified by type according to the type of cells seen in the tumours The three types of mesothelioma are epithelial also known as sarcomatoid biphasic sarcomatoid and epithelial Epithelial mesothelioma is responsible for around 50 percent of all diagnoses Sarcomatoid mesothelioma accounts for 10 percent of cases and has a poorer prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma Biphasic mesothelioma has a mixture of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells and accounts for 30 to 40 of all diagnoses The signs of mesothelioma could include breathing problems and chest pain as well as pain in the abdomen These symptoms may be similar to those of other conditions It is imperative to consult your doctor immediately in the event that you experience any of these Treatment for mesothelioma could improve symptoms slow tumour growth and allow patients to live longer Treatment options include chemotherapy radiation therapy and surgery Palliative care is available to patients and helps alleviate discomfort and pain Doctors are still researching ways to treat mesothelioma and how it grows New treatments include immunotherapy which utilizes your bodys immune system to fight cancer This is a trial treatment that has shown promise in certain mesothelioma patients Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials which are research studies of new treatments Patients with mesothelioma are often treated at cancer centers that have specialized doctors who treat the condition Diagnosis The first step to receive treatment to extend your life is to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis Your doctor will look over your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma you have This is vital because the three primary mesothelioma cell types respond differently to treatment The doctor may suggest an Xray chest scan or CT scan as the first test In this test you lay on an Xray table while the or CT machine takes a clear image of your chest as well as the organs around it Before the procedure a small amount of dye typically iodine is given This makes the tissue of your abdomen or chest lighter and easier to observe You may also be asked to perform a a breathing test during this period of time If these tests show a possible tumor or mass that is cancerous your doctor could require the procedure of a biopsy A biopsy is the process of removing samples from the tumor or mass via surgery or by inserting an needle into the site The specimen is then examined under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cells Our doctors can employ ultrasound to find enlarged lymph nodes which could be mesothelioma This procedure is known as endobronchial Ultrasonographyguided needle biopsy or EBNA This procedure is performed as an outpatient treatment so you can return home on the next day A mesothelioma specialist will also require the stage of the disease The stages are determined by how the cancer has spread and what kind of mesothelioma is present A mesothelioma specialist will give you a precise diagnosis to ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment Treatment The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients is determined by the extent of their disease and their overall health Patients with mesothelioma generally receive multimodal treatment which can include surgery chemotherapy and radiation The first step in treating mesothelioma is to undergo a physical examination and telling the doctor about any past exposure to asbestos Doctors may also order imaging scans and blood tests to check for mesothelioma and 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 examine and sample lymph nodes inside the chest cavity Most pleural cases of mesothelioma can be treated with surgery A patient can undergo a minimallyinvasive procedure known as videoassisted needle biopsy or CTguided surgical thoracoscopic Both surgeries can reduce symptoms and improve the life expectancy of a patient Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from advancing It is a common mesothelioma treatment and can prolong the survival of patients It is available in intravenous IV drip or in pill form Radiation is another mesothelioma treatment that kills cancer cells and shrink tumors It can be administered at various stages of pleural mesothelioma in addition to helping to relieve pain and help patients live longer In the late stages of mesothelioma therapy doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to prolong a patients lifespan as much as is possible This kind of treatment is called palliative treatment Despite the poor survival rate of mesothelioma there are still a lot of survivors For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982 lived for another 20 years before he died due to complications from a different illness norfolk mesothelioma attorney and symptoms Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms for weeks or even years prior to an official diagnosis is made The initial symptoms are similar to those experienced by other diseases and its easy to ignore or confuse them for minor ailments If you experience any of these symptoms it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible The organs of your body are covered in a layer of tissue known as the mesothelium This layer keeps them from colliding Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that targets mesothelium the cell that line your organs The majority of cases of mesothelioma start in the lining that surrounds the lungs but it may also be found in the lining of your heart pericardium or abdomen peritoneum and in the lining of your testicles tunica vaginalis The first signs of mesothelioma can be breathlessness as well as chest pain and fatigue Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up inside the chest wall and lungs resulting in pleural effusion A pleural effusion can put pressure on the lungs leading to difficulty breathing and a cough Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough medical exam and examining the patients history They may request chest Xrays which may reveal abnormalities like thickening of the lung lining or a buildup of fluid in the chest wall They can also order an MRI CT scan or PET scan to take more detailed pictures of the lung or other tissues of your body They can also use ultrasoundguided needles for draining fluid from the pleura and peritoneum A biopsy can identify which type of mesothelioma cells are growing into the tumor and how they develop This can help doctors determine the best treatment options The three mesothelioma types include radiation surgery and chemotherapy Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable however you can reduce your risk by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding the area Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer and other illnesses that affect the lining of specific organs There are many types of mesothelioma and some are more dangerous than others Certain types are more straightforward to treat than others Asbestos is made up of a group minerals with microscopic fibers It was used in construction and industrial products by manufacturers who were not aware of the dangers Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were the most susceptible to asbestos Asbestos is known to be a risk and you should not live in a home or work in an old plant which has asbestos Talk to your doctor about regular screenings if you have a past background of asbestos exposure Xrays and CT or MRI scans can help spot problems with your lungs or abdomen A biopsy may also reveal the presence of a tumor in the chest or stomach Doctors can analyze tissue samples from this area to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma You may have pleural mesothelioma which affects the lining of your lungs Other types include testicular pericardial or peritoneal After asbestos exposure It can take a number of years before mesothelioma develops Even so it can be difficult to recognize It is often misdiagnosed with other diseases or conditions like pneumonia bronchitis or cancer This can hinder you from receiving the proper treatment Researchers are working on improving the diagnosis of cancer and developing tests to detect mesothelioma sooner This could result in better treatments and a higher survival rate The study involves using genetic testing to determine who is most likely to develop mesothelioma