Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer correlated with exposure to asbestos which is a mineral that occurs naturally. The disease is usually diagnosed years 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 the type of cells in the tumor affect the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that is found in the mesothelium a thin layer of tissue is the lining of internal organs. https://vimeo.com/704975479 is caused by asbestos, which is a grouping of fibrous minerals. The exposure to asbestos is usually when people swallow or inhale stray asbestos fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the linings of organs they irritate and cause tumors. Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors look at these tumors and then take a sample of tissue, known as biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified based on the kind of cells are present in the tumors. The three types are epithelial sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Epithelial mesothelioma is responsible for around 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10 percent of cases and has a worse prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic Mesothelioma is a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones. It accounts for 30 to 40 percent of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing difficulties, chest pain or pain in the abdomen. These symptoms may be similar to other illnesses. It is important to seek out a physician immediately when you notice them. Treatment for mesothelioma can alleviate symptoms, slow tumour growth and make it easier for patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Patients can also receive palliative care, which helps control pain and discomfort. Doctors continue to research ways to treat mesothelioma as well as how it expands. Immunotherapy is a novel treatment that uses your own immune system to fight the cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise in certain mesothelioma patients. Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials, which are studies on new therapies. The majority of mesothelioma patients will be treated at specialist cancer centers where they are able to get access to doctors with experience treating the condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma-related diagnosis is the first step towards receiving treatment that can prolong your life. Your doctor will begin the process by reviewing your health history and symptoms and then determining the kind of mesothelioma you're suffering from. This is crucial as the three main mesothelioma cells types respond differently to treatment. The first test your doctor may order is a chest X-ray or CT scan. During this procedure, you lie on tables while the Xray or CT machine produces a detailed image of your chest as well as the organs that surround it. Prior to the procedure, a tiny injection of dye, typically Iodine, is administered. This will make the tissue in your chest and abdomen lighter, making it easier to be able to. You may be asked to take an exercise in breathing during this time. If these tests reveal an indication of a cancerous tumor mass, your doctor will probably take an examination for biopsy. A biopsy is the removal samples from the tumor or mass, either by surgery or by inserting an needle into the site. The specimen is then examined under a microscope to determine if mesothelioma is present. Our specialists may use ultrasound to detect lymph nodes that are swelling that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle biopsy or EBNA. It is done as an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day. A mesothelioma specialist will also need to determine your mesothelioma's stage. The stages are determined by how the cancer has spread and what type of mesothelioma you have. A precise diagnosis by a mesothelioma doctor is the best way to ensure that you receive the correct treatment. Treatment The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients depends on how far the disease has progressed and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients generally receive multimodal therapy which is a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma is to undergo an examination on the body and advising the doctor about any past exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also order imaging scans or blood tests to check for mesothelioma, and rule out any other diseases. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans, FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emissions tomography), and mediastinoscopy. Surgery is a viable option for the majority of pleural mysothelioma cases. Patients may undergo a minimally-invasive procedure called video-assisted surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can boost the lifespan of patients and reduce symptoms. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing. It is a common mesothelioma therapy and can extend the time of treatment. It can be administered by intravenous drip (IV) or pill form. Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment that shrinks tumors and kill cancerous cells. It is used to treat pleural cancer in different stages, and also to ease pain and prolong the life of patients. In the late stages of mesothelioma treatment, doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to extend the lifespan of patients as long as they can. This kind of treatment is called palliative treatment. Despite the low survival rate of mesothelioma, there's still a lot of survivors. For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, lived another 20 years before dying from complications of another illness. Symptoms Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms for months or even years before a diagnosis is made. The early symptoms are similar to those caused by other conditions, and it is easy to ignore or confuse them for minor ailments. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is crucial to see your physician immediately. The organs of your body are covered in a layer of tissue known as the mesothelium. This layer stops them from touching. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects mesothelium- the cells that line your organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin within the lining of the lungs, but it could also occur in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around your testicles (tunica vaginalis). The first signs of mesothelioma include chest pain, fatigue and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up inside the lungs and chest wall resulting in an effusion in the pleura. Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs, causing difficulty breathing and cough. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough medical exam and examining the patient's medical history. They may order chest X-rays, which can show signs of abnormalities like thickening the lung lining or the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall. They can also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to get an examination of your lung or other tissues in your body. They can also use ultrasound-guided needles to remove fluid from the peritoneum and pleura. A biopsy will reveal what kind of mesothelioma cells are forming the tumor and how they develop. This will help doctors decide the most effective treatment options. The three mesothelioma types are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can reduce your risk by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos, and avoiding it. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer and other illnesses that affect the organ linings. There are many types of mesothelioma, and some are more severe than others. Certain types of mesothelioma may be easier to treat. Asbestos is an assortment of minerals that have thin microscopic fibers. It was used in industrial and construction materials by companies who were not aware of its dangers. Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is known to be hazardous and you should not reside in a residence or work in an old factory that contains it. If you have a history of exposure to asbestos or asbestos-related diseases, speak with your physician about getting regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners will reveal any issues in your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy can identify a tumor on the stomach lining or chest. Doctors will test samples of tissue from this area to determine if you have mesothelioma. It is possible that you have pleural msothelioma that affects the lungs' interior. Other kinds include testicular, pericardial or peritoneal. It can take years for mesothelioma's growth to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Even then, it is difficult to diagnose. It often is misdiagnosed as another illness or condition such as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. This could hinder you from receiving the proper treatment. Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and create tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatments and a higher rate of survival. The research includes using genetic tests to determine the people most likely to develop mesothelioma.