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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that grows in the linings that protect organs like the chest and abdomen The majority of the time exposure to asbestos is the cause particularly for those working in construction or industrial jobs Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to a positive prognosis If mesothelioma is diagnosed early and treated promptly patients will have a better chance of surviving Causes Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the tissue that lines the abdomen and chest Malignant mesothelioma is most often found in the linings of the lungs stomach and intestines However it can also manifest in other tissues like the tissue that surrounds the heart pericardial mesothelioma and the testicles tunica vaginalis mesothelioma Asbestos exposure is the main reason for mesothelioma Asbestos is made up of minerals that form a group and contain microscopic fibers Asbestos was once used widely in a variety of industries such as construction insulation and shipbuilding Asbestos exposure may cause symptoms of mesothelioma 40 years after the last exposure The most frequent symptoms is difficulty breathing This is caused by an accumulation of fluid in the lung space and chest wall Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over a patients medical history and doing diagnostic tests They will examine the patients Xrays computedtomography CT and magnetic resonance imaging scans MRI to determine if there is a history of exposure to asbestos A biopsy is the main method used to detect mesothelioma pleural In this test doctors will remove a small sample of the affected area for examination under a microscope A biopsy is performed by using two methods such as VATS Videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery a type of keyhole surgery or a needle that is inserted via a CT scan The signs and symptoms of mesothelioma are comparable to those of other diseases making it difficult to recognize This is why its so important to consult a doctor when you experience any symptoms that worry you When mesothelioma is diagnosed its often in an advanced stage This means that treatment options are limited Patients with lung mesothelioma are most likely to die of complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure A smaller number of patients with mesothelioma of other organs such as those who have pericardial or tunica vaginalis mesothelioma They die from complications of the heart or their bowels Symptoms Many of the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma are comparable to the symptoms of other diseases or conditions which is why it can be difficult for doctors to make an accurate diagnosis Patients may be asked about their exposure to asbestos They may also order an CT scan or chest Xray to look for issues in the lungs and chest A biopsy is typically the next step In this doctors take a small portion of mesothelioma tissues for testing A biopsy can be used to determine whether the cancerous cells are malignant The lining of the lungs is affected by pleural mesothelioma which can cause pain and shortness of breath that gets worse over time The accumulation of fluid in the lungs pleural effusion could cause these symptoms too Other signs of pleural mesothelioma are bloody coughing abdominal swelling fatigue weight loss and breathing problems Peritoneal Mesothelioma which is less common causes symptoms such as nausea abdominal pain fatigue and fever Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis area is uncommon and can cause pain in the testicular region and a lump in the scrotum and loss of appetite The doctor will treat mesothelioma if it has spread to other parts of the body They will apply an array of treatments and tests Surgery or chemotherapy or radiation therapy as well as immunotherapy to kill mesothelioma cells or prevent them from growing These treatments can be given in a hospital at home or through an outpatient clinic A biopsy can help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma that a patient has There are three primary mesothelioma types epithelioid most popular Sarcomatoid second most frequent and biphasic Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most prevalent and grow faster than other cancerous cells making them easier to treat Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is more difficult to treat and can grow rapidly A patient with mesothelioma needs to seek immediate treatment if they exhibit any signs or symptoms It is important that they do not delay an appointment because a misdiagnosis could stop them from receiving proper treatment and allow the cancer more time to grow Patients with mesothelioma who receive aggressive treatment have a higher chance of living longer Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer so it can be difficult to identify It could take months or even weeks for doctors to work out that a patient is suffering from an illness that requires treatment The doctor may also inquire about the patients asbestos exposure and when symptoms began The doctor may also request an imaging scan These tests can help identify areas of the lungs or chest cavity that are problematic The primary test to determine mesothelioma involves a biopsy which involves taking a sample of the tumor and then examining it under microscope The specialist doctor who examines the tumor will be able to determine whether its mesothelioma or which type of mesothelioma it is There are three kinds of mesothelioma epithelioid sarcomatoid or mixed biphasic The type of cell can affect how easily the tumour can be treated Around 70 percent of mesothelioma patients have epithelioid cancer cells Sarcomatoid cells resemble those in fibrous tissue and are found in the remaining 30 percent of mesothelioma victims Mixed mesothelioma is among the most dangerous type because it has both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells A blood test can be performed to determine if the levels of fibulin3 osteopontin and soluble mesothelinrelated proteins are elevated in the body These substances are higher in mesothelioma compared to the general population The results of these tests are not conclusive in proving or disproving a mesothelioma diagnosis The doctor can also order other tests when mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed to determine how much the cancers spreads and how it affects the health of the patient For example lung function tests will demonstrate how the lungs are functioning and assist doctors in deciding whether surgery is a possibility Other tests that may be conducted include the CT scan an MRI or a PETCT scan durham mesothelioma law firm CT scan combines an CT scan with a positron emission scanner which helps doctors determine if cancer has spread and where its situated The doctor may also request an echocardiogram in order to check for an increase in the volume of blood around the heart Treatment Patients with mesothelioma need to find the appropriate treatment for their diagnosis Treatment options include chemotherapy surgery or radiation as well as immunotherapy To receive the most effective treatment patients must collaborate with a team of experts at an experienced mesothelioma center in their locality Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma with physical examination or laboratory tests as well as imaging scans Patients can be directed to a specialist for more thorough testing or treatments like the biopsy A biopsy is the removal of a tiny piece of tissue to be examined under a microscope Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that develops in the mesothelium which is a protective layer of cells that cover organs within the abdomen and chest It can also spread into bloodstreams and then move to other parts in the body where it may cause serious complications In addition to the biopsy doctors could conduct a CT scan or an MRI of the chest and abdomen These tests are used to identify signs of mesothelioma as well as other diseases They can also show the effect of the tumor on the surrounding organs For example a mesothelioma that affects the lungs could also cause problems for the heart and intestines Blood tests can detect mesothelioma based on the presence of a chemical that is present in blood These tests are not always accurate and they do not replace a biopsy for mesothelioma Mesothelioma is diagnosed in the early stages which can help increase survival rates There are three mesothelioma types in relation to the cells that are created Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common and responds better to treatment Biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma are less responsive to treatments and have a worse prognosis Malignant pleural melanoma is found in the lungs lining called the pleura Pleural mesothelioma is treated by a doctor using chemotherapy or surgery Two surgeries are offered for mesothelioma that is this type Extrapleural Pneumonectomy EPP and pleurectomy accompanied by pericardiectomy PD Doctors may also opt for hyperthermic intraoperative chemotherapy or HIOC to reduce the possibility that cancer will recur following surgery In HIOC doctors inject cancerfighting drugs directly into the surgical site They then rock the patient back and forth to bathe the site in hot chemotherapy fluids