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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesothelioma is diagnosed for the first time doctors will order imaging scans to check for any cancerous growths on the abdomen or chest. Mesothelioma is a common cause of other illnesses like pneumonia or lung cancer which can lead to the wrong diagnosis. A biopsy is performed by a doctor in order to determine mesothelioma. There are three types of mesothelioma cells which include epithelial (epidermal) and the sarcomatoid (sarcoma) and biphasic. Each type responds differently treatment and affects life expectancy. Diagnosis Doctors will run several tests when mesothelioma is suspected. This may include chest X-rays, CT scans and biopsies. The X-ray shows the accumulation of fluid on one side of the chest. This is referred to as pleural effusion and is often the first indication of mesothelioma. However, Xrays aren't the most reliable method to diagnose the condition. A chest CT scan is the next step. It creates a clear image of your organs and lungs. A doctor will inject you with dye to identify any areas that could be cancerous. During the CT scanner, you'll be lying on a mattress and passing through a doughnut-shaped scanner. The procedure is only about a minute and isn't terribly uncomfortable, even for those who are fearful of heights. In certain instances doctors may also perform an MRI. The scans produce high-quality images using radio waves and strong magnetic fields. If you have mesothelioma affecting the diaphragm and the diaphragm, an MRI can aid doctors in locating the cancer and determine how advanced it is. Some patients may also have a PET scan. In this test, you'll be given a shot of a radioactive dye. Cancer cells will absorb the dye in greater quantities than healthy ones, and consequently appear brighter in the images. A biopsy is the final test to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. A doctor will remove a small amount of the affected lining. This will be examined under a microscope to identify cancerous cells. This can be done under local anaesthesia and by using the CT scan or needle. If the biopsy results show mesothelioma the doctor will then consider the results of other tests to determine the stage. The stage identifies the extent to which mesothelioma spread and what kinds of treatment are best for you. Learn more about staging by reading the section on this guide titled Staging. Treatment There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. Certain treatments can improve quality of life or prolong the duration of life more than others. Mesothelioma patients must discuss their goals with their medical team to determine the best method of treatment. Surgery is one way to treat mesothelioma. Surgery is a method of removing any cancerous tissue during this operation. However when mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage, it's unlikely surgeons will be able completely remove the tumor. Regardless, surgeons can still reduce the symptoms. The most prevalent form of mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lung. In some instances there is a possibility that a person develops mesothelioma in the membrane surrounding the heart (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 provided by mesothelioma experts in specialized centers. Chemotherapy, a treatment, utilizes drugs to kill mesothelioma tumor cells and stop their growth. The drug combination of pemetrexed with Cisplatin is the first-line treatment option for pleural mesothelioma. Radiation therapy uses high energy beams to kill cancerous cells. This method is often used in combination with other mesothelioma treatments including surgery and chemotherapy. It can also be used to kill any residual microscopic mesothelioma that surgeons were unable to remove during surgery. Mesothelioma patients may experience many diverse side effects as a result from these treatments. These symptoms include nausea, fatigue, and loss of hair. A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients choose the right medication to fit their individual needs. muncie mesothelioma lawyer can also suggest additional methods to improve the patient's quality of living. These include regular lymphatic drainage to ease breathing, or powerful painkillers. Patients should inform their doctor know about any other medications, for example supplements, herbal remedies or over-the counter drugs. This will ensure that there aren't any potentially dangerous interactions between these medications. Prognosis Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects mesothelium which is a membrane that line our body's cavities like the abdominal cavity and the chest. When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma malignant cells may develop within the tissue, which can be spread to other parts of the body. They can also cause symptoms such as breathing problems or pain. A specialist doctor's diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial because it's the first step in receiving treatment. It could take a number of steps to identify mesothelioma including a physical exam, lab tests and a biopsy. A biopsy is a small sample of the tumor or mass to check for mesothelioma. The consequences of a mesothelioma diagnosis error can be very risky because it can delay treatment and deteriorate the prognosis. Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms may be similar to lung cancer or other common illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Because of this, mesothelioma is often mistakenly interpreted as a respiratory illness. The prognosis for mesothelioma is determined depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma as well depending on the patient's age and general health history. There is no cure for mesothelioma however, the cancer can be controlled by chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Patients can also receive palliative care to manage pain, fatigue and other symptoms. The mesothelioma staging stage of a patient refers to how the disease has advanced and how much has already expanded to other parts of the body. A doctor will make use of their best judgement to determine the staging, taking into account the symptoms and how quickly the cancer is growing. The rate of survival for mesothelioma is contingent on the patient's stage and type of cancer and location. The prognosis of those diagnosed with less prevalent types of mesothelioma are less favorable. Patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma for instance, have a better chance of surviving longer due to the fact that it tends to grow slower in the abdomen than pleural mesothelioma does in the chest. Patients who have a high tolerance to treatment might also live longer than patients with an insufficient tolerance. For instance, some people with peritoneal cancer have had good results after the combination of surgical removal, chemotherapy and radiation. Symptoms Asbestos fibers can cause cancer in organs if they are taken inhaled or swallowed. Mesothelioma usually occurs in the lung. However it can also be found in the abdomen, chest, and testicles of men. The signs of mesothelioma generally don't appear until 40-50 year after exposure. The first step to diagnose mesothelioma involves taking a review of your history regarding asbestos exposure. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and examine your symptoms. A chest X-ray could reveal abnormal thickening of the pleura or fluid in the space between the lung and the chest wall. A lung CT scan may also be used to check for mesothelioma or other types of cancer of the lungs. Blood tests can be done to assess how your kidneys and liver are functioning. The doctor might also recommend an abdominal MRI or a PET scan to determine other possible mesothelioma or cancers of the chest wall, lungs or abdomen. If an examination of the tumor is needed, doctors can remove it through surgery or by inserting a needle through the chest wall under local anesthesia. The doctor will examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is malignant mesothelioma or a different kind of cancer. After a diagnosis of mesothelioma in the future, doctors will utilize the information gathered from all tests to determine how advanced the cancer is. They will assign mesothelioma a staging number that is helpful in making plans for your treatment. They're not cancerous and they aren't able to grow back if surgically removed. They typically occur in the pleura or abdominal lining. Mesothelioma that is located in the pericardium can be more difficult to treat since it affects the heart. It is also possible to recur after surgery. Mesothelioma could also spread to other areas of the body like the lymph nodes or the bones located outside the chest and abdomen. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to the symptoms of other less severe conditions. This can make it difficult to determine the cause. This can lead to mistaken diagnosis, which can delay treatment. Delay in treatment could lead to complications and reduce your chances of surviving.