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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancerous affliction caused by asbestos exposure, is a naturally occurring cancer. The disease typically develops over the course of decades after the exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma using radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types. The type of cells that composes the tumor, and its stage influences the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? The mesothelioma-related cancer develops in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue lining internal organs). It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of fibrous minerals. brooklyn park mesothelioma attorney occurs when individuals take in or breathe in stray fibers. The asbestos particles stick to the linings of organs, irritate them and cause tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be made by doctors after they have examined the tumors and obtain a tissue sample, also called a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified according to type according to the type of cells that are found in the tumors. The three types are epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Epithelial Mesothelioma accounts for about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10 percent of cases and has a worse prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma consists of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones. It accounts for 30 to 40 percent of all diagnoses. Symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathing difficulties, chest pain or pain in the abdomen. These symptoms can be similar to other ailments. It is crucial to consult a doctor immediately whenever you notice these symptoms. Treatment for mesothelioma may improve symptoms, reduce tumour growth and make it easier for patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Patients may also receive palliative care, which helps manage pain and discomfort. Doctors are still researching ways to treat mesothelioma and the ways it expands. Immunotherapy is an innovative treatment that relies on your own immune system to fight cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise for some mesothelioma patients. Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials, which are studies of new therapies. Patients with mesothelioma tend to be treated at cancer centers with specialized physicians who treat this condition. Diagnosis The first step to receiving treatment to extend your life span is a mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Your doctor will analyze your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from. This information is essential because the three main mesothelioma cells respond differently to treatment. The first test your doctor might order is a chest X-ray or CT scan. In the procedure, you lie on a table as the X-ray or CT machine creates a detailed picture of your chest and the organs around it. A small dose of dye, most often iodine is typically administered prior the procedure. The dye makes the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, which makes it easier to be able to. You might be asked to take breath tests during this period of time. If these tests show the possibility of a cancerous tumor or mass your doctor will likely take an examination for biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of the mass or tumor, either surgically or by inserting needles into the area. The specimen is then examined under a microscope to look for mesothelioma-like cells. In some cases our experts use ultrasound to help find lymph nodes that have enlarged, which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is called endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration or EBNA. It is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day. A mesothelioma specialist will also require the stage of the disease. The stages are determined by how far the cancer has spread and the kind of mesothelioma is present. Getting an accurate diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist the best way to ensure that you get the right treatment. Treatment The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients is determined by the severity of their disease and their general health. Patients with mesothelioma generally receive multimodal treatments, which include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma includes a physical exam and telling your doctor about any asbestos exposure you may have experienced in the past. Doctors also conduct scans of the blood and imaging to check for mesothelioma, and rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emissions tomography), and mediastinoscopy. Most pleural cases of mesothelioma can be treated surgically. A patient can undergo a minimally invasive procedure called video-assisted surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can improve a patient’s life expectancy and alleviate symptoms. Chemotherapy is a therapy that uses drugs to end cancerous cells and prevent them from expanding. It is standard mesothelioma treatment and can help extend survival. It is available in intravenous (IV) drip or pill form. Radiation is another mesothelioma therapy that kills cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can be administered at various stages of pleural mesothelioma, in addition to helping to relieve the pain and make patients live longer. In the later stages of mesothelioma patients, doctors typically focus on reducing symptoms and prolonging a patient's life to the maximum extent possible. This type of treatment is known as palliative treatment. Despite the poor survival rate of mesothelioma there are still a lot of survivors. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal peritoneal cancer in the year 1982. He lived for 20 years until he died due to complications from another illness. Symptoms Many people suffering from mesothelioma show symptoms for months or even years before they are diagnosed. The early symptoms are similar to those triggered by other illnesses, and it is easy to ignore or mistake them for minor illnesses. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is essential to consult your doctor immediately. Your body's organs are wrapped in a tissue layer known as mesothelium. This layer keeps them from colliding with each the other. Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects mesothelium, the cells that line your organs. The majority of cases of mesothelioma start in the lining around your lungs, however it may also be found in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and within the lining surrounding your testicles (tunica vaginalis). The first signs of mesothelioma are chest pain, fatigue and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause swelling of the chest wall or lungs and cause an pleural effusion. Pleural effusions can put pressure on lungs, causing coughing and difficulty breathing. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by taking an individual's medical history before doing an exam. They may ask for chest X-rays which may reveal abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining or fluid buildup in the chest wall. They can also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to take more detailed pictures of your lung and other tissues within your body. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles to remove fluid from the pleura and peritoneum. A biopsy may help determine the type of mesothelioma that is forming the tumor and how it is advancing. This can help doctors choose the best treatment options. Treatment, radiation, and surgery are the three different types of standard mesothelioma treatments. Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable however you can reduce your risk by abstaining from asbestos and staying away from people who have it. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer and other illnesses that can affect the lining of certain organs. Many types of mesothelioma exist and some are more serious than others. Certain types are easier to treat than others. Asbestos is a class of minerals that have thin micro-sized fibers. It was used in industrial and construction equipment by manufacturers who were not aware of the dangers it posed. Blue-collar workers and veterans were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos has been shown to be a danger and you shouldn't be living in an old factory or work there. Consult your physician about regular screenings if there is an earlier history of exposure to asbestos. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners will reveal any issues in your lungs, abdomen or stomach. A biopsy may reveal the presence of a tumor in the lining of your stomach or chest. Doctors can then examine the tissue sample taken from that area to see whether you have mesothelioma. You could have pleural melanoma that affects the lining of your lungs. Other kinds include pericardial, testicular or peritoneal. After asbestos exposure it may take many years before mesothelioma starts to manifest. Even then, it may be hard to diagnose. It is often mistakenly diagnosed as a condition or illness such as pneumonia, bronchitis or lung cancer. This can prevent you getting the proper treatment. Researchers are working on improving the diagnosis and developing tests to detect mesothelioma sooner. This could lead to better treatments and a greater chance of survival. The study includes genetic tests to determine those most likely develop mesothelioma.