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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops within the protective linings surrounding organs such as the chest and abdomen It is often caused by exposure to asbestos especially for those who work in industrial or construction work Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial for a successful prognosis If mesothelioma is diagnosed early patients have a better prognosis Causes Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that forms in the tissue which lines the chest and abdomen In most cases mesothelioma malignancy is found in the lungs lining the pleura or the stomachs lining and intestines the peritoneum However it can also be found in other tissues such as the tissue that surrounds the heart pericardial mesothelioma and the testicles tunica vaginalis mesothelioma Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma Asbestos is made up of the minerals of a group that have microscopic fibers Asbestos was previously used extensively in a range of industries such as construction insulation and shipbuilding Exposure to asbestos can cause mesotheliomarelated symptoms for up to 40 years after the last exposure The most frequent mesotheliomarelated symptom is difficulty breathing This is caused by an accumulation of fluid in the lungs space and chest wall Doctors can identify the disease by looking at the medical records of a patient and conducting diagnostic tests They will look at the patients X rays computedtomography CT and magnetic resonance imaging scans MRI to determine if there is any evidence of exposure to asbestos A biopsy is the principal procedure used to diagnose pleural mesothelioma During this test doctors remove a small sample of the affected area for examination under the microscope A biopsy can be done by using two methods that include VATS Videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery is a kind of keyhole surgery or a needle thats inserted through the CT scan The symptoms and signs of mesothelioma are comparable to the symptoms and signs of other diseases making it difficult to identify It is important to see a doctor whenever you notice any signs When mesothelioma is first discovered it is often at an advanced stage This means that treatment options are limited Most lung mesothelioma patients suffer from complications like pneumonia and respiratory failure A smaller proportion of patients with mesothelioma of other organs like those with pericardial or tunica vaginalis mesothelioma die from heartrelated complications or their bowels Signs and symptoms It can be challenging for doctors diagnose mesothelioma because many of its symptoms are reminiscent of other illnesses or conditions They might begin by asking patients about their history of exposure to asbestos They can also request a CT scan or chest Xray to check for any issues with the chest and lungs The next step is usually a biopsy in which doctors will take a small portion of the patients blood to determine if mesothelioma is present A biopsy can help determine whether or not the cancerous cells are malignant The lining of the lungs is affected by pleural mesothelioma which can cause pain and shortness in breath that can get worse as time passes Lung fluid accumulation pleural effusion can contribute to these symptoms as well Other signs of pleural mesothelioma include a bloody cough abdominal pain and abdominal swelling as well as fatigue weight loss and breathing difficulties Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common and is usually associated with symptoms such as abdominal discomfort nausea fatigue and fever The mesothelioma that is less wellknown is in the tunica vaginalis that can cause testicular pain and a lump on the scrotum and loss of appetite Doctors will treat mesothelioma when it has spread to other areas of the body They will apply the combination of tests and treatments It is possible to use surgery or chemotherapy radiation therapy and immunotherapy to kill mesothelioma tumor cells or stop them from forming The treatments can be given in a hospital or at home through an outpatient clinic tracy mesothelioma attorney may also help doctors determine which mesothelioma type the patient has There are three main mesotheliomarelated cell types epithelioid and sarcomatoid and biphasic The most common mesothelioma cell type is epithelioid They grow slower than other cancerous cells and are therefore less difficult to treat Sarcomatoid cancer is more difficult to cure and can spread rapidly If you are experiencing any of the symptoms it is important to seek immediate treatment It is important that they do not delay the diagnosis as it could prevent them from getting the appropriate treatment and give the cancer more time to grow The odds of someone who has mesothelioma live longer is increased when they receive a more aggressive treatment Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer and therefore it can be difficult to detect It could take weeks or months for doctors to determine that a patient is suffering from a condition that requires treatment In addition to a physical exam the doctor will ask questions about asbestos exposure and how symptoms started The doctor may also request an imaging scan These tests can reveal areas of the the chest cavity that are in need of attention A biopsy is the principal test used to identify mesothelioma It involves taking tiny pieces of the tumor and then examining it using a magnifying glass The specialist doctor will determine if its mesothelioma and also what kind it is There are three kinds of mesothelioma epithelioid sarcomatoid or mixed biphasic The type of cell is crucial because it determines the ease of the tumor to treat About 70 of mesothelioma patients have epithelioid cancer cells Sarcomatoid cell types resemble those in fibrous tissue They are found in the remaining 30 percent of mesothelioma sufferers Mixed mesothelioma is the most deadly because it contains epithelioid cells as well as sarcomatoid ones A blood test can be used to determine if levels of fibulin3 osteopontin and soluble mesothelinrelated proteins are elevated in the body These substances are typically higher in mesothelioma patients compared to other people The results of these tests are not conclusive in the confirmation or disproof of a mesothelioma diagnosis If a mesothelioma diagnose is confirmed the doctor could be able to request additional tests to determine how far the cancer has spread and how it is affecting the patients overall health For example lung function tests will reveal how the lungs are functioning and aid in deciding whether surgery is an option Other tests that may be done include the CT scan MRI or PETCT scan A PETCT scan is a combination of a CT scan and a positron emission tomography scanner which helps doctors determine the extent of cancer The doctor might also order an echocardiogram to examine an increase in the volume of blood around the heart Treatment Patients with mesothelioma should find the right treatment for their diagnosis Treatment options include radiation chemotherapy and immunotherapy To receive the highest quality treatment patients must collaborate in a team at a mesothelioma treatment center that is experienced within their area Doctors can diagnose Mesothelioma by physical examinations laboratory tests and imaging scans A patient can be taken to a specialist for more indepth testing or for treatments like taking a biopsy A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue to be examined under a microscope Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium which is a layer of protective cells that protect organs in the abdomen and chest It can also spread into bloodstreams and then spread to other areas of the body where it may cause serious complications In addition to a biopsy doctors may conduct a CT scan or an MRI of the chest and abdomen These imaging tests are used to identify signs of mesothelioma as well as other illnesses They also can show the impact of the tumor on the surrounding organs For instance mesothelioma affecting the lungs could also affect the intestines and the heart The blood tests can detect some substance in the blood that indicates the presence mesothelioma However these tests arent always reliable and cannot substitute for mesothelioma biopsies Early detection of mesothelioma is crucial to increasing survival rates Three types of mesothelioma exist based on the cells that are formed Epithelioid is by far the most popular kind that is most responsive to treatment Biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma are less responsive to treatments and have a worse prognosis Malignant pleural mesothelioma forms in the lungs lining known as the pleura The doctors can treat pleural mesothelioma by undergoing surgery or chemotherapy This kind of mesothelioma may be treated using two different procedures extrapleural pneumonectomy EPP and pleurectomypericardiectomy PD Doctors can opt for hyperthermic intraoperative chemotherapy HIOC HIOC to lower the risk of recurrences after surgery During HIOC doctors inject cancerfighting agents directly into the area of surgery They then rock the patient back and forth bathing the area in hot chemotherapy fluids