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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is associated with exposure to asbestos which is a mineral that occurs naturally. The disease usually develops over the course of decades after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types of mesothelioma. The type of cell that composes the tumor, and its stage determines the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that develops in the mesothelium, thin layer of tissue covers internal organs. It is caused by asbestos, a grouping of fibrous minerals. Asbestos exposure occurs when individuals swallow or inhale small fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the linings of organs, irritate them and cause tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma can be confirmed by doctors when they have examined the tumors and obtain a tissue sample, also called a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of cells are identified in the tumors. The three mesothelioma types are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid), biphasic and sarcomatoid. Epithelial Mesothelioma accounts for about 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10% of cases and has a worse prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic Mesothelioma is a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid. It accounts for 30-40 percent of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, chest pain, and breathing problems. These symptoms can be similar to other ailments. It is essential to consult a doctor immediately in the event that you experience any of these. Treatment for mesothelioma can reduce symptoms, slow tumor growth and make it easier for patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Palliative care is available for patients and helps reduce discomfort and pain. Doctors continue to research ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it grows. portland mesothelioma lawyer include immunotherapy, which relies on your body's immune system to fight cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise for some mesothelioma patients. Patients may also participate in clinical trials, which are research studies of new treatments. Often, mesothelioma patients are treated at specialist cancer centers where they are able to get access to doctors with experience treating the condition. Diagnosis The first step to receiving treatment to prolong your life span is a mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Your doctor will look over your medical history and symptoms to determine the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from. This information is essential because the three main mesothelioma cancer cells respond differently to treatment. The doctor may suggest an X-ray of the chest or CT scan as the initial test. During the test, you be lying on a table while the X-ray machine or CT scan produces a detailed image of your chest and the surrounding organs. Before the procedure, a small amount of dye, which is usually iodine is given. This will make the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, making it easier to see. During this time, you could be asked to complete breathing tests. If these tests reveal a possible cancerous tumor or mass the doctor will most likely request an examination for biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of the mass or tumor either surgically or by inserting a needle into the area. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for mesothelioma-like cells. In some cases, our specialists use ultrasound to help find lymph nodes that have enlarged, which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy or EBNA. It is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you can return home the next day. A mesothelioma doctor will also need to determine your stage of mesothelioma. The stages are determined based on how far the cancer has spread and what kind of mesothelioma type you have. Getting an accurate diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist is the best way to ensure that you receive the proper treatment. Treatment The mesothelioma treatment for a patient is based on how far the disease has advanced and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients usually receive multimodal therapy which is a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. The first step to treat mesothelioma is getting an examination of the body and informing the doctor about your previous exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also recommend blood tests or imaging scans to detect mesothelioma and rule out any other ailments. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans, FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emissions tomography), and mediastinoscopy. Surgery is an option for the majority of pleural mesothelioma cases. A patient can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure referred to as video-assisted needle biopsy or CT-guided thoracoscopic surgery. Both surgeries can help reduce symptoms and improve a patient's life expectancy. Chemotherapy is a therapy that uses drugs to end cancerous cells and prevent them from growing. It is a standard treatment for mesothelioma and can extend the duration of survival. It can be administered through intravenous (IV) drip or in pill form. Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment that can shrink tumors and kill cancerous cells. It is used to treat pleural cancers at various stages, and also to reduce pain and prolong the life span of patients. In the later stages of mesothelioma patients, doctors typically concentrate on controlling symptoms and prolonging the life of patients for as long as they can. Palliative care is a term used to describe the goal for this type of treatment. Although the average mesothelioma survival rate is very low however, there are many who have survived. For instance, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1982, remained alive for 20 years before dying due to complications from another disease. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms for that last for months or even years before an official diagnosis is made. The initial symptoms are similar to those triggered by other conditions and it's easy to ignore or confuse them for minor illnesses. If you do experience any of these symptoms, it is vital to see your doctor as soon as possible. The organs of your body are covered in a layer of tissue known as mesothelium. This layer protects them from rubbing together. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium cells that form the lining of several of your organs. The majority of cases of mesothelioma occur within the lining of your lungs, however it may also be found in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around testicles (tunica vaginalis). The initial signs of mesothelioma are chest pain, fatigue, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up inside the lungs and chest wall leading to the formation of pleural effusion. Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs and cause coughing and breathing difficulties. The diagnosis of mesothelioma is made after a thorough medical exam and taking the patient's history. They may also order chest X-rays to look for signs of abnormalities such as thickening in the lining of the lungs or fluid buildup on the chest wall. They can also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to gain a better view at your lungs and other tissues. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles to drain fluid from the peritoneum and pleura. A biopsy can help identify the mesothelioma type that is forming the tumor and the rate at which it is growing. This will help doctors decide the best treatment options. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the three kinds of mesothelioma treatment that are commonly used. The following is a list of preventatives. Mesothelioma is not preventable, however you can reduce your risk by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos and staying away. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer as well as other ailments that affect organ linings. There are many kinds of mesothelioma. Some are more severe than others. Certain types of mesothelioma can be more manageable. Asbestos is an assortment of minerals that contain tiny microscopic fibers. It was utilized in construction and industrial products by companies who were not aware of the dangers it posed. Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be hazardous and you shouldn't stay in an old factory or work in it. Talk to your doctor about regular screenings if your family has a past exposure to asbestos. X-rays as well as CT or MRI scans can help spot issues with your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy can also reveal the presence of a tumor in the lining of your chest or stomach. Doctors can test tissue samples from this area to determine if you're suffering from mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma which affects your lungs' liner. Other types include pericardial, testicular or peritoneal. It can take a long time for mesothelioma's growth to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Even then, it is difficult to detect. It is often misdiagnosed with other diseases or conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis or cancer. This could prevent you from receiving the right treatment. Researchers are working on improving diagnosis and creating tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatment and a higher survival rate. Genetic testing is used to identify those who are most likely the disease.