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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesotheliomas first symptoms are identified doctors order imaging scans to check for any cancerous growths on the abdomen or chest Mesothelioma signs can be mistaken for other illnesses such as pneumonia or lung cancer Doctors will also take an xray to determine mesothelioma There are three mesothelioma types including epithelial and sarcomatoid They are also biphasic Each type reacts differently to treatment and has an impact on life expectancy Diagnosis Doctors will conduct a variety of tests if mesothelioma was suspected These include chest Xrays CT scans and biopsies The Xrays reveal an increase in fluid to the chests left side This is known as an effusion of the pleura and is usually the first manifestation of mesothelioma Xrays may not be the most reliable method for diagnosis A chest CT scan is the next step This produces a precise image of your organs and lungs A doctor could inject you with a dye that highlights areas of cancer that may be present During the CT scanner you will be lying on a bed and moved through a doughnut scanner The procedure only takes a few minutes and isnt too uncomfortable even for people who are claustrophobic In certain instances doctors may also conduct an MRI These tests make use of strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce highquality images soft tissues including those in the lungs An MRI can be used to detect mesothelioma that affects the diaphragm and to determine its stage Some patients will also undergo an PET scan In this test youll receive a shot of the radioactive dye Cancer cells absorb the dye significantly more than healthy cells which is why they appear brighter in the images A biopsy is the most definitive test to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis A doctor will remove an infected lining It will be examined under a microscope to identify cancerous cells This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and can be done with surgery or by inserting needles guided by a CT scan If the biopsy results show mesothelioma your doctor will then use the results of the other tests to determine the stage This stage defines the severity of the mesothelioma and what treatment is most suitable for you You can learn more about staging by reading the section on this guide titled Staging Treatment There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma Some can improve the quality of life and extend the life span of time than other Patients with mesothelioma need to discuss their goals and choose the most effective treatment plan Surgery can be used to treat mesothelioma Surgery is a method of removing all cancerous tissue during the operation If mesothelioma reaches an advanced stage it is possible that doctors will not be able to remove the tumor completely Surgeons can still reduce the symptoms The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma that is found in the lining surrounding the lungs In rare instances people they may develop mesothelioma inside the membrane surrounding the heart pericardial mesothelioma In rare cases it is possible to have mesothelioma affecting the testicles testicular mesothelioma Mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy The treatments are usually provided by mesothelioma experts in specialized centers Chemotherapy is a therapy that uses drugs to kill the mesothelioma tumor cells and stop their growth The combination of pemetrexed and Cisplatin is the most common firstline treatment option for pleural mesothelioma Radiation therapy uses high energy beams to kill cancerous cells This treatment is often used alongside other mesothelioma therapies like chemotherapy and surgery This treatment may also be used for any microscopic mesothelioma left by surgeons after surgery These treatments can trigger numerous adverse consequences for patients suffering from mesothelioma They may experience nausea fatigue and even hair loss A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients choose the best medication for their needs They can also suggest alternative ways to improve a patients quality of life These can include regular pleural fluid drainage to alleviate breathing problems or powerful painkillers Patients should inform their doctors know about any other medications including herbal remedies supplements or prescription drugs This helps avoid risky interactions with these medications Prognosis Mesothelioma also referred to as mesothelioma of the pleural region is a tumor that causes cancer that affects the membrane that surrounds the internal cavities of our bodies like the chest cavity and abdomen When a person gets mesothelioma malignant cells develop within this tissue They can be spread to other areas of the body that can cause symptoms such difficulty breathing and pain It is vital to get a mesothelioma diagnose from a specialist doctor because this is the first step towards receiving treatment Mesothelioma can be diagnosed in different ways such as a physical examination lab tests and the procedure of a biopsy A biopsy is a tiny sample taken from the mass or tumor to look for mesothelioma A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma is extremely risky as it could delay treatment and deteriorate the prognosis Mesothelioma is often difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of lung cancer bronchitis or pneumonia Because of this mesothelioma gets mistakenly diagnosed as a respiratory disease The prognosis of mesothelioma depends on the stage and type as well as age general health and medical history The cancer can be controlled through chemotherapy surgery and radiation therapy Patients may also receive palliative care to help control pain fatigue and other symptoms The mesothelioma stage is a measure of how far the disease of a patient has spread and how far it has already progressed The doctor will use 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 depends on the patients stage and the type of cancer and the location The prognosis of those diagnosed with less prevalent types of mesothelioma is poorer Patients who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma for instance have a higher chance of living a longer life because it is more likely to grow faster in the abdomen than pleural mesothelioma grows in the chest Patients who have high tolerance to treatment might also live longer than patients with a low tolerance For instance a few patients who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma have experienced good results after a combination of chemotherapy surgical removal and radiation Symptoms When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed they stick to the organs lining and cause them tumors Mesothelioma is most often found in the lung However it can also occur in the chest abdomen and testicles of men mission mesothelioma lawsuit dont manifest until 40 to 50 years after exposure The first step to diagnose mesothelioma involves taking a history about asbestos exposure Your doctor will then conduct an examination and review your symptoms A chest Xray may reveal abnormal thickening of the pleura or fluid that is located between the lung and the chest wall A lung CT scan can also be used to detect mesothelioma and other cancers in the lungs You can undergo blood tests to assess the health of your liver and kidneys The doctor might also recommend an abdominal MRI or a PET scan to determine other mesotheliomarelated cancers or mesothelio of the chest wall lungs or abdomen If it is determined that a biopsy is required the doctor can remove it surgically or by inserting a needle in the chest wall under local anesthesia The doctor will examine the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it is malignant mesothelioma or a different type of cancer The results of the tests will assist doctors in determining the extent of cancer after a mesothelioma diagnosis They will assign a mesothelioma staging number that is beneficial in making plans for your treatment Benign mesotheliomas arent cancerous and cant be regrown when theyre completely removed surgically They usually form in the abdominal lining or pleura Because it affects the heart mesothelioma that occurs in the pericardium could be more difficult to treat It is also prone to recur following surgery Mesothelioma is also able to spread to other areas of the body like the lymph nodes or bones that are located outside the chest and abdomen The symptoms of mesothelioma are comparable to those of other less serious illnesses This can make it difficult to determine the cause This could lead to confusion and delay treatment The delay can cause more complications and lower the chance of surviving
