Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancerous affliction caused by asbestos exposure is a natural-occurring cancer. The disease usually develops for decades after exposure. The treatment for mesothelioma is radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three kinds of mesothelioma. The stage and type of cells that make up the tumor can affect the prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that forms in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue is the lining of organs within the body. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of fibrous minerals. Asbestos exposure occurs when people take in or breathe in stray fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the linings of organs and can cause irritation, which then causes tumors. The diagnosis of mesothelioma is able to be confirmed by doctors when they examine the tumors and collect a tissue sample, also called a biopsy. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the kind of cells are present in the tumors. The three types are epithelial sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Epithelial Mesothelioma comprises about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma accounts for 10 percent of cases, and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic Mesothelioma is a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones. It accounts for 30-40 percent of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, chest pain and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, so it is important to see the doctor if you experience them. Treatment for mesothelioma may help alleviate symptoms, slow tumor growth and allow patients live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Patients may also receive palliative care to help control pain and discomfort. Doctors are still researching ways to treat mesothelioma and how it expands. New treatments include immunotherapy which utilizes your body's immune system to fight cancer. This experimental treatment has proven effective in a number of mesothelioma cases. Patients can also take part in clinical trials, which are studies of new treatments. Most often, mesothelioma patients get treated at specialist cancer centers where they can consult with doctors who are experienced in treating the condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis is the initial step in receiving treatment that can extend your life span. Your doctor will analyze your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma that you have. This is crucial as the three mesothelioma primary cell types respond differently to treatment. The first test your doctor might recommend is an X-ray of your chest or CT scan. In the procedure, you lie on tables while the Xray or CT machine creates a detailed image of your chest as well as the organs around it. Before the procedure, a small injection of dye, usually Iodine, is administered. The dye makes the tissue in your abdomen or chest lighter and makes it easier to see. During this period, you might be asked to do a breathing test. If these tests show the possibility of a tumor, or mass that could be cancerous, your doctor could request a biopsy. A biopsy involves removing the tumor or mass, either surgically or by inserting an instrument into the site. The specimen is then examined under a microscope to search for mesothelioma-like cells. In some instances our specialists employ ultrasound to identify lymph nodes that are enlarged and could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound guided needle aspiration or EBNA. It is performed on an outpatient basis, which means you can return home the same day. A specialist in mesothelioma will also need to know your stage of the disease. The stages are determined by how far the cancer has spread, and what kind of mesothelioma you are suffering from. Finding a reliable diagnosis by a mesothelioma doctor is the best way to ensure that you get the right treatment. Treatment The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients is determined by the severity of the disease as well as their general health. Patients who have mesothelioma usually receive multimodal treatment that includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma is physical examination and advising your doctor about any asbestos exposure you might have been exposed to in the past. Doctors may also recommend imaging scans or blood tests to look for mesothelioma and to rule out other diseases. These include CT (computerized tomography) scans; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans as well as FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) scans; and mediastinoscopy (used to look at and sample lymph nodes in the chest cavity). Surgery is a viable option for the majority of pleural mysothelioma cases. A patient can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure referred to as video-assisted needle biopsy or CT-guided thoracoscopic surgery. Both surgeries can enhance the lifespan of patients and alleviate symptoms. Chemotherapy utilizes drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing. It is a common mesothelioma treatment and can improve survival. It can be administered through intravenous (IV) drip or pill form. Radiation therapy is another mesothelioma cure which can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors. It is used to treat pleural cancer at various stages, and also to alleviate pain and extend the life of patients. In the final stage of mesothelioma treatment doctors focus on controlling symptoms to extend a patient's lifespan as much as is feasible. Palliative care is a term used to describe the goal for this type of treatment. Despite the low survival rate of mesothelioma cancer, there are still many survivors. https://vimeo.com/704973703 was diagnosed with peritoneal peritoneal cancer in the year 1982. He lived for another 20 years before he passed away of complications from another illness. Signs and symptoms A lot of people with mesothelioma suffer symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. Early symptoms may be mistaken for other ailments or overlooked. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to see your doctor immediately. The organs in your body are surrounded by mesothelium, which is a layer of skin. This layer keeps them from colliding. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel that form the lining of many of your organs. The lining around your lungs is the most common area where mesothelioma first appears. However, it may also be found in your heart (pericardium) as well as in your abdomen (peritoneum), or the tissue around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The earliest symptoms of mesothelioma are often breathlessness as well as chest pain and fatigue. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs and chest wall and cause an edema called pleural. A pleural effusion can put pressure on lungs, which can cause coughing and breathing difficulties. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after taking the medical history of the patient and conducting an examination. They may ask for chest X-rays which can reveal signs of abnormalities, such as thickening of lung lining or a buildup of fluid in the chest wall. They can also order an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to take a closer look at your lung or other tissues within your body. They can also remove the fluid that collects in the pleura or the peritoneum using an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure. A biopsy can identify which kind of mesothelioma cells are growing into the cancer and how they are growing. This can help doctors decide on the best treatment options. Treatment, radiation, and surgery are the three kinds of mesothelioma treatment that are commonly used. Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable, however you can minimize the risk by avoiding individuals who are exposed to asbestos and staying away. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer or other illnesses that affect the organ linings. There are a variety of types of mesothelioma, some more dangerous than others. Certain types are easier to treat than others. Asbestos is one of the minerals with tiny micro-sized fibers. Manufacturers employed asbestos in the construction industry as well as other industrial products without being aware of its dangers. Blue-collar workers and veterans were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be hazardous and should not reside in a residence or work in an old plant which has asbestos. If you have any history of exposure to asbestos, consult with your doctor about undergoing regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can reveal problems in your lungs, abdomen or stomach. A biopsy can reveal an abnormality in the stomach lining or chest. Doctors can then test the tissue sample from the same area to determine whether you are suffering from mesothelioma. There is a chance that you have pleural mesothelioma which affects your lung's liner. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma testicular mesothelioma, or pericardial meso. It could take years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos. Even if it does, it can be difficult to determine. It is often mistakenly diagnosed as another illness or condition like lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This could prevent you from receiving the proper treatment. Researchers are trying to improve diagnosis and develop tests that can detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatment and a higher survival rate. The study includes genetic testing to determine those who are most likely to develop mesothelioma.