https://vimeo.com/704973746 is a cancerous affliction caused by asbestos exposure, is a naturally occurring cancer. The disease usually develops over the course of decades after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types. The stage and the type of cells that comprise the tumor affect the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the mesothelium, thin layer of tissue that linings organs within the body. It is caused by exposure to asbestos which is a class of fibrous minerals. The exposure to asbestos is usually when people inhale or swallow stray asbestos fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the organ's linings and cause irritation. They can also cause tumors. Mesothelioma is detected when doctors study these tumors and take samples of the tissues, known as a biopsy. Mesothelioma can be classified based on what kind of cells are located in the tumors. The three mesothelioma types are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid) biphasic, sarcomatoid, and epithelial. Epithelial mesothelioma is by far the most popular type, accounting for around 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma accounts for 10 percent of all cases, and has a lower prognosis compared to the epithelial. Biphasic mesothelioma consists of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones. It accounts for 30-40 percent of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can be similar to other ailments. It is essential to see a doctor right away in the event that you experience any of these. Treatment for mesothelioma may help alleviate symptoms, slow tumor growth and allow patients to live longer. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients can also seek palliative care, which helps control pain and discomfort. Doctors are still looking for ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it grows. Immunotherapy is a novel treatment that uses your own immune system to fight the cancer. This is an experimental treatment that has shown promise for a few mesothelioma patients. Patients can also participate in clinical trials, which are research studies on new therapies. Mesothelioma patients are typically treated in specialist cancer centers where they can access doctors who have experience treating the disease. Diagnosis The first step in receiving treatment to prolong your life span is to get a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your doctor will analyze your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from. This information is essential because the three mesothelioma cells respond differently to treatment. The first test that your doctor might order is a chest X-ray or CT scan. During the procedure, you'll lie on a table as the X-ray machine or CT scan generates a clear image of your chest and its surrounding organs. Prior to the procedure, a small amount of dye, usually iodine, is given. This will make the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, making it easier to see. You might be asked to take the test of breathing at this time. If these tests reveal the possibility of a cancerous tumor or mass the doctor will most likely require the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of a sample of the tumor or mass, either surgically or by inserting a needle into the area. The sample is then tested under a microscope, looking for mesothelioma cell. In some cases our experts use ultrasound to detect lymph nodes that have enlarged, which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial Ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy, or EBNA. The procedure is performed as an outpatient treatment, so you are able to return home the same day. A specialist in mesothelioma will also need to know your stage of the cancer. The stages are determined by how much the cancer has spread and the kind of mesothelioma is it. A mesothelioma specialist will give you a precise diagnosis to ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment. Treatment A patient's mesothelioma treatment plan depends on how far the disease has progressed and their overall health. Patients with mesothelioma typically receive multimodal treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma is to undergo a physical examination and telling the doctor about any prior exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also order images and blood tests to check for mesothelioma, and 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 study and sample lymph nodes inside the chest cavity). Surgery is an option for the majority of pleural mysothelioma cases. A patient can undergo a minimally invasive procedure, such as video-assisted needle biopsy, or CT-guided thoracoscopic systolic surgical. Both surgeries can reduce symptoms and improve a patient's life expectancy. Chemotherapy is a method of treatment that utilizes drugs to end cancerous cells and prevent them from growing. It is a standard mesothelioma treatment and can prolong survival. It can be administered by intravenous drip (IV) or pill form. Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment that can shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It is available at various stages of pleural mesothelioma, in addition to helping to relieve the pain and make patients live longer. In the late stages of mesothelioma therapy, doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to extend the lifespan of a patient as long as possible. Palliative care is a term used to describe the goal of this kind of treatment. Despite the low rate of survival of mesothelioma cancer, there are still many survivors. For instance, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1982, lived for another 20 years before he died from complications from another illness. Symptoms Mesothelioma can cause symptoms months or even years before the diagnosis is made. The initial symptoms are similar to those triggered by other illnesses and it's easy to ignore or mistake them for minor illnesses. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to see your physician immediately. Your body's organs are wrapped in a layer of tissue called mesothelium. This layer keeps them from colliding. Mesothelioma affects mesothelium cells that form the lining of many of your organs. The lining surrounding your lung is the most commonly area where mesothelioma first appears. However, it could develop in the heart (pericardium), abdomen (peritoneum) or the lining around your testicles (tunica vulginalis). The initial symptoms of mesothelioma can be fatigue, chest pain, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also trigger an accumulation of fluid in the chest wall or lungs that can lead to an effusion of the pleural cavity. Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs and cause coughing difficulties and breathing problems. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma after a thorough medical examination and taking the patient's history. They may order chest Xrays to look for signs of abnormalities like thickening of the lung's lining, or the buildup of fluid on the chest wall. They may also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to take a closer look at your lungs and other tissues. They can also use ultrasound-guided needles for draining fluid from the pleura and peritoneum. A biopsy can determine which mesothelioma type of cells are forming the cancer and how they are growing. This will help doctors determine the best treatment options. The three standard mesothelioma treatment options are radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. The following is a list of preventions. Mesothelioma cannot be prevented, but you can lower the risk by avoiding asbestos and staying away from those with it. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer, as well as other diseases that affect the lining of specific organs. There are many kinds of mesothelioma, and some are more dangerous than others. Certain types are more straightforward to treat than others. Asbestos is a group of minerals that have microscopic fibers. Manufacturers used asbestos in construction and other industrial products without knowing of its dangers. Blue-collar workers and veterans were especially exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is now recognized to be dangerous and should not reside in a house or work in an old factory that has asbestos. Talk to your doctor about regular screenings if your family has an antecedent background of asbestos exposure. X-rays as well as CT or MRI scans can identify problems with your lungs and abdomen. A biopsy can help identify cancerous tissue in the stomach lining or chest. Doctors can then analyze the tissue samples from that area to see if you have mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung's lining. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma, testicular mesothelioma or pericardial melot. It can take several years for mesothelioma's growth to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Even then, it can be difficult to determine. It often is misdiagnosed as a condition or illness like lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. This can prevent you from receiving the proper treatment. Researchers are working on improving diagnosis and creating tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could result in better treatments and a better survival rate. Genetic testing is used to identify the people most likely to develop the disease.