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MesotheliomaMesothelioma is a type of cancer that is associated with exposure to asbestos the mineral that occurs naturally. The disease usually develops for years after exposure.Doctors treat mesothelioma by using chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer.There are three types of mesothelioma. The stage and type of cells that comprise the tumor influence the prognosis.What is Mesothelioma?The mesothelioma cancerous form forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that encloses internal organs). It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a class of fibrous minerals.Asbestos exposure occurs when individuals take in or breathe in stray fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the lining of organs and cause irritation, which leads to tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma is able to be made by a doctor after they look at the tumors and collect a tissue sample, also called biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified according to type based on the type of cells that are found in the tumors. The three types are epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Epithelial mesothelioma, the most common form that accounts for about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is 10 percent of all cases, and has a lower prognosis than epithelial. Biphasic Mesothelioma is a mixture of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid. It accounts for 30-40 percent of all diagnoses.The symptoms of mesothelioma can include difficulty breathing and chest pain or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to those experienced by other conditions, and it is essential to consult a doctor if you have these symptoms.The treatment for mesothelioma can help improve symptoms, slow tumour growth and make it easier for patients to live longer. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Palliative care is accessible to patients, and helps manage pain and discomfort.Doctors continue to study ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it grows. New treatments include immunotherapy which uses your body’s own immune system to fight cancer. This is an experimental treatment that has shown promise for a few mesothelioma patients. Patients can also try clinical trials, which are studies of new therapies. Patients suffering from mesothelioma are usually treated in cancer centers that have specialized physicians who treat this condition.DiagnosisThe first step to receive treatment to prolong your life span is to get a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma you have. This information is crucial because the three main mesothelioma cells react differently to treatment.The first test that your doctor might order is chest X-rays or CT scan. During the test, you will lay on a table while the X-ray machine or CT scan generates a clear image of your chest and its surrounding organs. Prior to the procedure, a tiny injection of dye, which is usually iodine, is given. This makes the tissues in your abdomen or chest lighter which makes it easier to be able to. During this period, you might be asked to do an exercise to test your breathing.If these tests reveal an indication of a tumor or mass that is cancerous, your physician may decide to take the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy involves removing the mass or tumor, either surgically or by inserting an instrument into the site. The sample is examined under a microscope for mesothelioma.In some instances our experts use ultrasound to identify lymph nodes with enlarged lymphatic vessels that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. It is done on an outpatient basis so you can go home the next day.A mesothelioma doctor will also be required to determine your mesothelioma’s stage. The stages are determined based on how the cancer has spread, and what kind of mesothelioma you are suffering from. Finding a reliable diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist the best way to make sure that you receive the proper treatment.TreatmentThe treatment plan for mesothelioma patients depends on how far the disease has progressed and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients typically undergo multimodal therapy, which is a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.The first step in treating mesothelioma begins with an examination on the body and advising the doctor about any prior exposure to asbestos. Doctors can also request imaging scans or blood tests to look for mesothelioma and to rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans as well as FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission tomography) scans; and mediastinoscopy (used to examine and test lymph nodes in the chest cavity).The majority of mesothelioma pleural cases can be treated surgically. Patients can undergo a minimally invasive procedure, such as video-assisted needle biopsy or CT-guided thoracoscopic surgical. Both surgeries can improve the life expectancy of a patient and reduce the symptoms.Chemotherapy is a treatment that utilizes drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from expanding. It is the standard treatment for mesothelioma and can improve survival. It is available in intravenous (IV) drip or pill form.Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment that can shrink tumors and kill cancerous cells. It is available at different stages of pleural mesothelioma as well as to alleviate pain and allow patients to live longer.In the later stages of mesothelioma patients, doctors typically concentrate on reducing symptoms and prolonging the patient’s life for as long as possible. Palliative care is the name of this kind of treatment. Despite the low rate of survival of mesothelioma, there’s still a lot of survivors. For example paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1982, lived another 20 years before he died from complications of another illness.SymptomsMesothelioma can trigger symptoms for that last for months or even years before it is diagnosed. Early symptoms may be mistaken for other ailments or overlooked. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to consult your physician immediately.The organs of your body are surrounded by mesothelium, a layer. This layer prevents them from colliding with each and rubbing against each other. Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects mesothelium- the cells that line your organs. The lining of your lung is the primary location where mesothelioma develops. However, durham mesothelioma lawyer may also develop in your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum), or the surrounding lining of your testicles (tunica vulginalis).The first symptoms of mesothelioma are often breathlessness, chest pain and fatigue. Mesothelioma can also cause an accumulation of fluid in the chest wall or lungs, resulting in pleural effusion. Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs, leading to coughing and breathing difficulties.Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after taking the medical history of the patient and doing an exam. They may order chest X-rays which may reveal abnormalities, such as thickening of lung lining or fluid buildup in the chest wall. They can also order an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to take a closer look at your lungs and other tissues. They may also drain any fluid that has accumulated in the pleura or peritoneum with an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure.A biopsy can identify which mesothelioma type of cells are making up the cancer and how they are growing. This can help doctors determine the best treatment options. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the three types of mesothelioma treatment that are commonly used.PreventionMesothelioma can’t be prevented however you can reduce your risk by avoiding asbestos and staying away from people who have it. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer and other diseases that affect the lining of specific organs. There are a variety of mesothelioma types, and some are more serious than others. Certain types of mesothelioma can be more manageable.Asbestos is a group of minerals that have microscopic fibers. It was utilized in construction and industrial products by manufacturers who were unaware of the risks. Blue-collar workers and veterans were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been found to be a risk and should not be a part of an old factory or work there.Discuss with your doctor regular screenings if there is any previous history of exposure to asbestos. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can identify problems in your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy may also help identify an abnormality in the chest or stomach. Doctors can test tissue samples from this area to determine if you have mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma which affects your lung’s interior. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma, testicular mesothelioma and pericardial mesot.After asbestos exposure, it can take many years before mesothelioma is diagnosed. Even then, it’s difficult to identify. It is often mistakenly diagnosed with other conditions or illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or cancer. This can hinder you from receiving the proper 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 determine those most likely to develop the disease.