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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancerous affliction caused by asbestos exposure, is a natural-occurring cancer. The disease usually develops many years after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three types of mesothelioma. The stage and the type of cells that make up the tumor affect the prognosis. What is mesothelioma? The cancerous mesothelioma forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that encloses internal organs). It is caused by asbestos, which is a grouping of fibrous minerals. Asbestos is a risk when people take in or breathe in stray fibers. These asbestos particles cling to the organ's lining and can cause irritation, leading to tumors. Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors look at the tumors and collect a sample of tissue, known as biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified according to type by the type of cells that are found in the tumors. The three types are epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. Epithelial mesothelioma is responsible for around 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10% of cases and has a less favorable prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma is a mix of epithelial as well as sarcomatoid cells and accounts for 30% to 40 percent of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are similar to those experienced by other conditions, and it is essential to consult an expert if you are suffering from them. Treatment for mesothelioma can reduce symptoms, slow tumor growth and make it easier for patients to live longer. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. philadelphia mesothelioma attorneys is available for patients and helps alleviate discomfort and pain. Doctors are still researching ways to treat mesothelioma as well as how it grows. Immunotherapy is a brand new treatment that relies on your own immune system to fight the cancer. This experimental treatment has shown promise in a few mesothelioma cases. Patients can also participate in clinical trials, which are studies on new treatments. The majority of mesothelioma patients will be treated in specialist cancer centers where they can find doctors with expertise in treating the condition. Diagnosis The first step to receive treatment to extend your life span is a mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Your doctors will begin the process by analyzing your health history and symptoms and determining the type of mesothelioma you're suffering from. This is vital because the three primary mesothelioma cancer cells respond differently to treatment. The first test your doctor might order is chest X-rays or CT scan. In this procedure, you lie on an X-ray table while the or CT machine creates a detailed picture of your chest and the organs surrounding it. A small dose of dye, usually iodine is usually given before the procedure. The dye makes the tissue in your chest or abdomen lighter and makes it easier to be able to. During this time, you could be asked to take an exercise to test your breathing. If these tests show an indication of a tumor or mass that is cancerous, your doctor might require the procedure of a biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing a sample of the mass or tumor either surgically or by inserting needles into the area. The sample is examined under a microscope to determine if mesothelioma is present. In some instances our specialists employ ultrasound to find enlarged lymph nodes that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is called endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, or EBNA. This procedure is done as an outpatient procedure, which means you can return home the same day. A mesothelioma specialist will also require the stage of the cancer. The stages are determined by how far the cancer has spread, and what kind of mesothelioma you are suffering from. Receiving a precise diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist the best way to ensure that you receive the right treatment. Treatment The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients is determined by the severity of their disease and their overall health. Mesothelioma patients typically receive multimodal therapy, which is a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma involves undergoing a physical examination and telling the doctor about any past exposure to asbestos. Doctors can also request blood tests or imaging scans to detect mesothelioma and to rule out other ailments. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans, FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) and mediastinoscopy. Most pleural cases of mesothelioma can be treated surgically. Patients can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure called video-assisted needle biopsy or CT-guided thoracoscopic systolic surgical. Both surgeries can enhance the lifespan of patients and decrease symptoms. Chemotherapy utilizes drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent them from growing. It is a common mesothelioma treatment and can prolong the survival of patients. It can be given via intravenous (IV) drip or pill form. Radiation is another mesothelioma therapy that can kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is used to treat pleural cancer at various stages, and to reduce pain and prolong the life of patients. In the late stages of mesothelioma treatment doctors focus on controlling symptoms to prolong a patient's lifespan as much as they can. Palliative treatment is the name of this type of treatment. Although the mesothelioma survival rate is low, there are many survivors. For example paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, remained alive for 20 years before dying from complications of another illness. Symptoms Many patients with mesothelioma experience symptoms for months or even years before they are diagnosed. The initial symptoms are similar to those caused by other conditions and it is easy to ignore or mistake them for minor ailments. If you experience any of these symptoms it is essential to consult your doctor immediately. The organs in your body are covered in mesothelium, which is a layer of skin. This layer prevents them from colliding with each other. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects mesothelium, the cells that line your organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining surrounding your lungs, however it can also manifest in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around testicles (tunica vaginalis). The first signs of mesothelioma can be chest pain, fatigue, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid buildup in the chest wall or lungs and cause pleural effusion. A pleural effusion can place pressure on the lungs which can cause coughing and breathing difficulties. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through taking a patient's medical history and conducting an examination. They may request chest X-rays to look for signs of abnormalities such as thickening of the lung's lining or fluid accumulation on the chest wall. You can also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to have a more detailed look at your lungs or other tissues. They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles to drain fluid from the peritoneum and pleura. A biopsy may help determine the type of mesothelioma cell that is forming the tumor and how fast it is growing. This can help doctors determine the most effective treatment options. The three standard mesothelioma treatments include radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. The following is a list of preventatives. Mesothelioma can't be prevented, but you can lower the risk by keeping away from asbestos and from people who have it. Exposure to asbestos may cause lung cancer and other illnesses that can affect the lining of certain organs. There are many kinds of mesothelioma, some more dangerous than others. Certain types of mesothelioma can be more manageable. Asbestos is one of the minerals that are made up of thin micro-sized fibers. It was utilized in construction and industrial products by manufacturers who were not aware of the risks. Blue-collar workers and veterans were particularly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is now recognized to be dangerous and you should not reside in a residence or work in an old factory that has asbestos. If you have a history of exposure to asbestos, speak with your doctor about getting regular screening. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners will reveal any issues in your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy can help identify cancerous tissue in the lining of your stomach or chest. Doctors can then examine the tissue samples from the area to determine whether you have mesothelioma. You may have pleural mesothelioma which affects your lung's lining. Other types include testicular, pericardial or peritoneal. It could take years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos. Even so, it can be difficult to detect. It is often mistakenly diagnosed as a different condition or illness such as lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. This could hinder you from receiving the correct treatment. Researchers are trying to improve diagnosis and develop tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatment and a higher rate of survival. The study includes genetic tests to determine the people most likely to develop mesothelioma.