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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma a cancerous tumor that affects the organs linings including the chest and abdomen is caused by asbestos exposure It is often caused by asbestos exposure particularly for people who work in industrial or construction jobs Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for a successful prognosis If mesothelioma has been detected earlier patients have a better chance of surviving Causes Mesothelioma is a tumor that can be cancerous that develops in the tissue that lines the abdomen and chest is a rare illness In most cases mesothelioma malignancy is found in the lining of the lungs the pleura or the stomachs lining and the intestines the peritoneum It can also affect other tissues such as the tissue that surrounds the heart pericardial msothelioma and the testicles Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma Asbestos is a class of minerals that have tiny microscopic fibers Asbestos was utilized in many industries including shipbuilding construction and insulation The people who have been exposed to asbestos could develop mesotheliomarelated symptoms up to 40 years after their first exposure to the substance columbia mesothelioma lawsuit reported sign is difficulty breathing This is caused by a buildup of fluid in the space between lungs and the chest wall Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through reviewing a patients medical records and conducting diagnostic tests They will look at the patients Xrays computedtomography CT and magnetic resonance imaging scans MRI to determine if there is any evidence of exposure to asbestos A biopsy is a method of diagnosing the presence of pleural mesothelioma During the test doctors will take a small piece of tissue from the affected region to examine under microscope A biopsy can be performed by using two methods one of which is VATS also known as a keyhole surgery Or a needle that is inserted through a CT scan The signs and symptoms of mesothelioma can be compared to those of other cancers which makes it difficult to recognize Its important to consult your doctor whenever you begin to notice any signs At the time mesothelioma gets diagnosed its often in an advanced stage Treatment options are limited The majority of patients with lung mesothelioma die from complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure A lesser proportion of patients with mesothelioma affecting other organs for instance those suffering from pericardial and tunica vaginalis mesothelioma die due to complications of the heart or their bowels Signs and symptoms It is often difficult for doctors to identify mesothelioma since many of its symptoms are reminiscent of other illnesses or conditions They might begin by asking patients about their experience of exposure to asbestos They might also order a chest Xray or CT scan to check for problems with the lungs and chest A biopsy is usually the next step in which doctors take a small sample of mesothelioma tissues for testing A biopsy can help determine whether or not the cancer cells are malignant Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lungs lining and the signs are typically discomfort and shortness of breath that becomes worse over time These symptoms could be caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lung pleural effusion Other signs of pleural mesothelioma include bloody coughing abdominal swelling weight loss fatigue and breathing difficulties Peritoneal mesothelioma is not as common and it typically causes symptoms like abdominal pain vomiting as well as fatigue and fever Even less common is mesothelioma in the tunica vaginalis which can result in testicular discomfort a lump on the scrotum and loss of appetite The doctor will treat mesothelioma if it has spread to other parts of the body They will make use of a combination tests and treatments They can use chemotherapy radiation therapy and immunotherapy to end or slow mesotheliomas growth These treatments can be performed in the hospital at home or through the clinic A biopsy can assist doctors determine the type of mesothelioma that the patient is suffering from There are three primary mesothelioma cancer cell types epithelioid biphasic and sarcomatoid Epithelioid cells are the most common and tend to grow slower than other cancerous cells which makes them more easily treated Sarcomatoid cancer is more difficult to cure and can grow rapidly A person with mesothelioma should seek immediate treatment if they notice any of the symptoms It is vital that they do not delay an appointment because a misdiagnosis could stop them from receiving right treatments and give the cancer time to spread People with mesothelioma who receive aggressive treatment have a higher chance of living for longer Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer which is why it can be difficult to recognize It may take months or even weeks for doctors to determine the patient has an illness that requires treatment In addition to a physical examination doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure and how symptoms began The doctor can also request an imaging scan These tests can help to identify areas of problem in the lungs and chest cavity The most common test to determine mesothelioma is a biopsy which involves removing a sample of the tumor and examining it under the microscope The specialist doctor who examines the tumor can determine whether its mesothelioma as well as what type of mesothelioma is There are three types of mesothelioma epithelioid sarcomatoid and mixed biphasic The type of the cell is important as it influences how easy the tumor is to treat Epithelioid cells are the most common found in about 70 percent of mesothelioma cases Sarcomatoid cancer cells are similar to those found in fibrous tissue They are found in 30percent of mesothelioma cases The most risky mesothelioma variant called mixed mesothelioma occurs when it has epithelioid and sarcomatoid cancer cells Blood tests can be performed in order to determine if levels of fibulin3 soluble mesothelin and related propeptides along with osteopontin are elevated These substances are higher in mesothelioma compared to the general population However the results of these tests are not enough to establish or disprove the mesothelioma diagnosis The doctor might also recommend additional tests if mesothelioma diagnosis is made to determine how much the cancer has spread and how it affects the patients health A lung function test for instance will show how well the lungs function and help the doctor decide if surgery is a possibility Other tests that could be conducted include other tests that can be performed include CT scan an MRI or a PETCT scan PETCT scans are a combination of an CT scan and a positron emission tomography scanner that aids doctors in determining if cancer has spread The doctor might also recommend an echocardiogram to look at the the amount of fluid that has accumulated around the heart Treatment Mesothelioma patients must find the best treatment that matches their specific diagnosis Treatment options include chemotherapy surgery treatment radiation therapy and immunotherapy To receive the best care patients should work with a team of experts at an experienced mesothelioma center in their area Doctors can diagnose Mesothelioma through physical examinations laboratory tests and imaging scans A patient can be referred to a specialist for more thorough testing or treatment options such as a biopsy A biopsy is a procedure that removes a small sample of tissue for examination under the microscope Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the mesothelium which is a protective layer of cells that protect organs in the abdomen and chest It can expand into the bloodstream and then spread to other parts of the body There it can cause lifethreatening complications In addition to the biopsy doctors can conduct an CT scan or an MRI of the chest and abdomen These imaging tests can be used to detect the signs of mesothelioma or other illnesses They can also determine how the tumor is affecting organs around it for example how mesothelioma within the lungs affects the intestines and heart Blood tests can identify mesothelioma based on the presence of a chemical present in the blood These tests arent always reliable and cant replace a biopsy for mesothelioma Mesothelioma can be diagnosed in the early stages and can increase the odds of survival There are three mesothelioma types according to the type of cells that are formed Epithelioid is by far the most popular type that responds well to treatment Biphasic and Sarcomatoid mesothelioma are less susceptible to treatment and have a poorer prognosis Malignant pleural melanoma is found in the lining of the lungs called the pleura The doctors can treat pleural mesothelioma with surgery or chemotherapy Two surgeries are offered for mesothelioma that is this type Extrapleural Pneumonectomy EPP and pleurectomy that includes pericardiectomy PD Doctors may also opt for hyperthermic intraoperative chemotherapy or HIOC to lower the possibility that cancer will come back after surgery In HIOC doctors insert chemotherapy drugs that fight cancer directly into the surgical site Then they rock the patient back and forth to bathe the site in hot chemotherapy fluids
