causefeast1
User Name: You need to be a registered (and logged in) user to view username.
Total Articles : 0
Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When the first signs of mesothelioma are observed doctors will conduct imaging scans to determine whether a patient has possible cancerous growths on their abdomen or chest Mesothelioma is a common cause of other illnesses like pneumonia or lung cancer and can cause misdiagnosis Doctors may also perform an xray to determine mesothelioma There are three major mesothelioma types epithelial epidermal and sarcomatoid sarcoma and biphasic carlsbad mesothelioma lawyer responds to treatment differently and has a distinct impact on life expectancy Diagnosis Doctors may perform a variety of tests when mesothelioma is suspected These include a chest Xray CT scans and biopsies The Xray can show a buildup of fluid on one side of the chest This is referred to as pleural effusion and is usually the first sign of mesothelioma However Xrays may not be the most reliable method to determine the severity of the disease The next step is an chest CT scan which provides a detailed picture of your lungs as well as other organs A doctor can inject you with a color that highlights areas of cancer that may be present During the CT scanner youll be lying on a mattress and passed through a doughnut shaped scanner The procedure is only minutes and isnt too uncomfortable for those who are claustrophobic In some cases doctors may also perform an MRI test These scans create highquality images made of radio waves and powerful magnetic fields An MRI can be used to determine if there is mesothelioma of the diaphragm and identify the stage of the disease Some patients will also undergo a PET scan In this test youll be given a shot of radioactive dye Cancer cells will absorb the dye more than healthy cells and thus appear brighter on the images A biopsy is the last test to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma A doctor will remove a small sample of the lining affected which will then be tested under a microscope in order to determine if cancer cells are present The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic The procedure can be done with surgery or by inserting the needle using an CT scan If the biopsy confirms mesothelioma your doctor will use the results of the other tests to determine its stage The stage identifies how far mesothelioma spread and what kinds of treatment are appropriate for you This guide contains an article titled Staging which will give you more information about staging Treatment There are several treatment options for mesothelioma Some can improve the quality of life and extend life for a longer period of time than others Mesothelioma patients must discuss their goals with their medical team to determine the most effective approach Surgery is one of the ways to treat mesothelioma In this operation surgeons attempt to remove all cancerous tissues However when mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage its unlikely that surgeons will be able completely eliminate the tumor However surgeons can manage to reduce symptoms The most commonlyused form of mesothelioma occurs in the lining around the lungs The mesothelioma can develop around the lungs in a few instances pericardial mesothelioma In rare instances there is also the possibility that a person could suffer from mesothelioma that affects the testicles testicular mesothelioma Mesothelioma can be treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy The treatments are usually given in mesothelioma clinics that are specialized by experienced mesothelioma specialists Chemotherapy employs drugs to kill mesothelioma cells and prevent their growth The drug combination of pemetrexed with Cisplatin is the most common firstline treatment for pleural mesothelioma Radiation therapy employs highenergy beams that kill cancerous cells This type of treatment is typically employed in conjunction with other mesothelioma treatment like surgery or chemotherapy This procedure can also be applied to any mesothelioma with a microscopic size left by surgeons after surgery These treatments can have many adverse effects for patients suffering from mesothelioma These symptoms include nausea fatigue and hair loss A mesothelioma expert can help a patient find the right medication to fit their individual needs They can also suggest other ways to enhance a patients quality of life This could include regular pleural drainage to ease breathing or powerful painkillers Patients should let their doctors know about any other medications such as herbal remedies supplements or overthecounter drugs This can help prevent potentially harmful interactions with these drugs Prognosis Mesothelioma a form of cancer affects mesothelium which is a membrane that lines our bodys cavities such as the abdominal cavity and chest If a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma malignant cells form in this tissue and be spread to other areas of the body which can cause symptoms such as discomfort and breathing problems A specialist doctors diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial since it is the initial step to receive treatment There may be multiple steps to determine if mesothelioma is present which may include a physical examination and lab tests as well as the biopsy A biopsy collects a small sample of the tumor or mass to check for mesothelioma A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma can be dangerous since it could delay treatment or worsen the likelihood of a positive outcome Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of lung cancer pneumonia or bronchitis Because of this mesothelioma is often mistakenly diagnosed as a respiratory disease The prognosis for mesothelioma is determined by the type and stage of mesothelioma It also depends on factors such depending on the patients age and general health as well as medical history The cancer can be controlled through surgery chemotherapy and radiation therapy Palliative care is available for patients to control symptoms such as fatigue pain and other signs and symptoms The stage of mesothelioma is an indication of how far the disease has spread and how much it has already advanced The doctor will make use of his or her best judgment when determining the stage taking into consideration the symptoms and the rate of growth of the cancer The chance of survival for mesothelioma is dependent on the patients stage and type of cancer and the location Patients diagnosed with less common types of mesothelioma have less favorable prognosis Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma are at higher odds of living longer due to the fact that it grows more slowly in the abdomen as compared to pleural msothelioma that is found in the chest In addition patients who have a good tolerance for treatment could live longer than patients with less tolerance For instance a few patients with peritoneal mesothelioma have had positive results using the combination of surgical removal chemotherapy and radiation Symptoms When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed they stick to the organs lining and cause them to develop tumors Mesothelioma usually occurs in the lung However it can also develop in the chest abdomen and testicles of males Mesothelioma symptoms generally dont appear until 40 to 50 years after exposure The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is to take a detailed history of asbestos exposure Your doctor will then conduct a physical exam and review your symptoms A chest Xray could reveal abnormal thickening of the pleura or fluid that is located between the lung and the chest wall A lung CT scan could be utilized to check for mesothelioma or other types of cancer of the lungs You can undergo blood tests to check on the health of your liver and kidneys The doctor might also recommend an abdominal MRI or a PET scan to check for any other mesothelioma or cancers of the lungs chest wall or abdomen If you are required to take a biopsy of the tumor is required doctors will remove it surgically or by inserting a needle in the chest wall under local anesthesia The doctor will then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is malignant mesothelioma or a different form of cancer When youve been diagnosed with mesothelioma doctors use the information gathered from all tests to determine how advanced the cancer is They will assign a mesothelioma staging number that is useful in making plans for your treatment They are not cancerous and they arent able to grow back after removal surgically They usually form in the abdominal lining of the pleura Because it affects the heart mesothelioma that forms in the pericardium can be more difficult to treat It can also recur after surgery Mesothelioma could also spread to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes and bones that are outside the abdomen and chest It can be hard to recognize mesothelioma due to the similarity of symptoms with other conditions that are not as serious This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and delay treatment Delay in treatment could cause complications and decrease your chance of survival