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Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers irritate tissue that surrounds a lot of your organs. Cancerous cells then develop.

The most common type of mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs (pleura). Other types are less prevalent and affect the lining of the abdomen or around the testicles.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma following a thorough examination of samples of tissue or fluid for cancerous cells. They may also order blood tests and imaging tests.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma affects the lining of organs in various parts of the body. The symptoms differ based on the site of the tumor, like in the pleura or peritoneum (lung lining), for pleural and peritoneal cancers. Fatigue, fever, and an unproven loss of weight are common symptoms. Mesothelioma symptoms can also include pain and trouble breathing.

Physical examinations are the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about any asbestos exposure you have had in the past and other factors that could increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes a exposure to asbestos, such as in shipbuilding, construction, or manufacturing industries.

Most mesothelioma cases are diagnosed by imaging scans of either the chest or abdomen. These include X-rays, CT (computer tomography) scans, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These tests offer doctors to see inside your body, and look for mesothelioma or other masses in the lungs or stomach.

The X-rays will reveal a thickening of the Pleura or a buildup of fluid in the lung space and chest wall, which are both common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. They will also detect any fluid in the abdominal cavity, which is often associated with peritoneal mesothelioma.

Your doctor will request a biopsied if a mesothelioma tumor is found. During a biopsy your doctor will remove a small amount of tissue to determine if it is mesothelioma. A surgeon can either insert a needle into the tumor or carry out the procedure surgically to remove the sample.

For pleural mesothelioma, doctors will drain the fluid in the chest cavity using the procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves making a small cut in the chest or abdomen, and then using tubes to drain the fluid. The buildup of fluid can cause difficulties breathing in patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural. Your doctor might recommend an indwelling needle aspirator or an indwelling cathode to manage the buildup of fluid in your pleura.

In rare cases, mesothelioma spreads to other areas of the body, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are called metastatic symptoms because they are not related to the tumor that caused them.

Diagnosis

In the majority of instances, doctors will first look at symptoms like coughing or chest pains by performing physical examination. They also ask patients about any history of asbestos exposure. They will then order imaging tests to detect lung cancer and abdomen. This could include X-rays CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or the positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

It is often difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma properly because it is so rare. Patients with mesothelioma are often wrongly diagnosed with common illnesses like bronchitis or pneumonia. This could delay treatment and lead to the disease to spread before it is properly diagnosed.

When doctors discover a possible mesothelioma tumor, they will require a sample of tissue or fluid for testing. These samples will confirm the kind of cancer and if it has spread. Doctors can collect mesothelioma case specimens by taking the procedure of a biopsy. These can be done by removing a small amount of tissue using surgery or by inserting an instrument into the abdomen or chest to withdraw fluid.

The samples will be analyzed to see whether they have cancerous cells. The type of mesothelioma the doctor detects will aid in determining the best treatment options.

Doctors may suggest lab tests to help understand the tumor. These tests can reveal genes, proteins, and other factors unique to the tumor.

The doctors also need to know if the tumor has spread. This is known as staging. This allows them to determine the size of the tumor and if it has spread to other organs.

After all test results are in the doctor will go over them with you. You will also be given a prognosis. This is based on typical mesothelioma patients with similar symptoms and stages. They will then explain how the prognosis could change as the tumor expands and shrinks or when other treatments are utilized. If you have any concerns you may want to seek an additional opinion from a different doctor. This is an excellent way to make sure you receive the best care.

Treatment

Getting diagnosed with mesothelioma is just the beginning of a long road. Treatment options depend on many factors, including the type and severity of mesothelioma (how quickly it grows). Doctors will also consider the patient's age, general health and any other medical conditions.

It is often difficult to diagnose mesothelioma case (http://24insite.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_Id=25275), as it is a rare condition. Combinations of tests, like chest CT scans and X-rays, are often used to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma attorneys. These imaging studies can show changes in the lining of the lungs or abdomen, such as thickening of the pleura as well as fluid accumulation. Blood tests can be performed to detect high levels associated with mesothelioma.

A biopsy is generally taken when mesothelioma is suspected. It involves inserting a needle in the affected area and removing the tissue sample for testing. The sample will then be examined in a lab to determine if it contains any cancerous cells.

If a patient is diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma, doctors are able to eliminate the excess fluid through a procedure called Thorcentesis. Patients can also undergo pleurodesis, which helps prevent fluid buildup in the future. Pleurodesis involves placing an incision into the chest to eliminate fluid. It can be used in conjunction with medication to decrease the chance that fluid builds up again.

Radiation is another common treatment for mesothelioma, and it can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery. Doctors can use either traditional photon radiation or a more sophisticated method known as intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The radiation is emitted at different angles to limit damage to healthy tissues.

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancerous cells. It can be used before or after surgery to make the procedure more efficient. Patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma may also receive intraperitoneal chemotherapy, which is heated before being injected into the abdomen. Clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatments are available to a select group of people. These are usually done in larger medical centers and can yield the most promising results. Even after treatment, mesothelioma could recur. The treatment options differ based on the area of the recurrence, as well as the treatment options previously used.

Prognosis

In general the mesothelioma prognosis of a patient depends on the kind of cancer they suffer and the stage at the time they were diagnosed, their overall health and age. It also depends on the extent of the mesothelioma and how well treatment will reduce the symptoms.

A doctor will use several tests to determine the prognosis of a patient which include imaging tests like the CT scan or X-ray, blood tests and biopsy. A biopsy is when doctors remove a small sample of mesothelioma tumor or tissue and examine it under a microscope in order to check for cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the lining of tissues around organs in the body, including the abdominal lining, chest lining and tests. It is caused by exposure to asbestos.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be shocking and cause feelings of shock, anger, fear or anxiety. Discussing these emotions with an experienced family member, mesothelioma group or lawyer is important.

The early detection of mesothelioma can improve the chances of survival. If doctors can remove the tumor, or at least a large part of it, the patient will have an increased chance of having a longer lifespan.

Fitness is another factor. Fitness levels are linked to better survival rates for mesothelioma patients. The blood chemistry of a person can also influence the outcome of their mesothelioma. The more normal one's haemoglobin levels and platelet and white blood cells counts are more likely to be a good prognosis.

Mesothelioma is treatable if it has not reached the point of critical. It can be treated through radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgery. These treatments can reduce the possibility of cancer cells spreading and growing. These treatments do not eliminate cancer. Many mesothelioma patients have lived beyond their initial prognosis. Some have lived for years, or even a decade after receiving their mesothelioma diagnosis. For example, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould survived his peritoneal mesothelioma for 20 years. He later died of cancer that was not related to mesothelioma.