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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesothelioma symptoms are first discovered, doctors will request imaging scans to determine whether a patient has possible cancerous growths on their chest or abdomen. Mesothelioma symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses like pneumonia or lung cancer. Doctors may also perform a biopsy to identify mesothelioma. There are three main mesothelioma types: epithelial (epidermal), the sarcomatoid (sarcoma) and biphasic. Each type responds differently to treatment and affects life expectancy. Diagnosis If mesothelioma is suspected, doctors will run several tests to confirm it. This includes chest X-ray, CT scans, and biopsies. The X-ray shows the accumulation of fluid on one side of the chest. This is called pleural effusion and is often the first indication of mesothelioma. X-rays may not be the most reliable method of diagnosis. The next step is an chest CT scan, which creates an exact picture of your lungs as well as other organs. A doctor could inject you with a dye which will show areas of potential cancer. During the CT scanner, you'll be lying on a bed, and traversed through a doughnut-shaped scanner. The procedure takes only a few minutes and isn't too uncomfortable, even for people who are fearful of heights. In certain situations doctors will also conduct an MRI. The scans produce high-quality images with radio waves and strong magnetic fields. An MRI can be used to identify mesothelioma that affects the diaphragm as well as determine the stage of the disease. Certain patients may also undergo a PET scan. You will receive a radioactive substance during this test. Cancer cells will absorb the dye much more than healthy ones, and consequently appear brighter in the images. A biopsy is the final test to confirm mesothelioma. A doctor will remove a sample of the affected lining. The lining will then be examined under a microscope to identify cancerous cells. This can be done under local anaesthesia and by using a CT scan or needle. Your doctor will refer to the results from the other tests if the biopsy proves that mesothelioma has been diagnosed. The stage identifies how far the mesothelioma has spread and what types of treatment are the most appropriate for you. You can learn more about staging by reading the section on the guide titled Staging. Treatment Several treatment options are available for mesothelioma. There are a variety of treatment options available. Certain treatments can improve the quality of life or prolong the duration of life more than others. Mesothelioma patients should discuss their goals with their medical team to determine the most effective approach. Surgery can be used to treat mesothelioma. Surgeons strive to remove all cancerous tissues during this procedure. If mesothelioma has progressed to an advanced stage doctors may not be able of removing the tumor completely. Surgery can reduce symptoms. The most well-known mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma that is found in the lining surrounding the lung. In some instances there is a possibility that a person develops mesothelioma inside the membrane surrounding the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). In rare cases, a person can also suffer from mesothelioma of the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is treated with chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments are usually provided in mesothelioma centres that are specially designed by mesothelioma specialists with years of experience. Chemotherapy employs drugs to kill mesothelioma tumor cells and stop their growth. Pemetrexed and cisplatin are preferred first-line treatment for pleural msothelioma. Radiation therapy uses high energy beams to kill cancerous cell. This procedure is typically used in conjunction with other mesothelioma treatments like chemotherapy and surgery. This procedure can also be used for any microscopic mesothelioma left behind by the surgeons following surgery. These treatments may cause a variety of side effects for patients suffering from mesothelioma. These symptoms include nausea, fatigue, and loss of hair. A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients choose the right medication to meet their individual needs. They can also suggest alternative ways to improve the quality of life for patients. These could include regular Pleural fluid drainage to help reduce breathing and strong painkillers. Patients should inform their doctors know about any other medications, like supplements, herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications. This helps avoid dangerous interactions with these drugs. Prognosis Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects the mesothelium, a membrane that line our body's cavities, such as the chest and abdominal cavity. If a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma malignant cells grow in the mesothelium and spread to other parts of the body that can cause symptoms such breathing difficulties and pain. It is crucial to get a mesothelioma diagnose from a specialist physician because this is the first step to receiving treatment. Mesothelioma diagnosis can be made in various ways, including a physical examination, lab tests and a biopsy. A biopsy will take a tiny sample of the tumor or mass to check for mesothelioma. The wrong diagnosis of mesothelioma can be dangerous as it could delay treatment or make it more difficult to predict the outcome. Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can mimic lung cancer or common illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Because of this, mesothelioma can be mistakenly identified as respiratory disorders. The prognosis of mesothelioma differs according to the type and the stage of mesothelioma. It also depends on factors such depending on the patient's age and general health, as well as medical history. There is no cure for mesothelioma, however, the cancer can be controlled with chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Palliative treatment can be offered to patients to treat symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and other signs. A person's mesothelioma stage refers to how far the disease has progressed and how much of it has already spread to other parts of the body. The doctor will use his or her best judgment when determining the stage, taking into account the symptoms and the rate of growth of the cancer. The chance of survival for mesothelioma depends on the patient's stage and the kind of cancer and its location. Patients diagnosed with less common mesothelioma forms have a lower chance of survival. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma are at an increased chance of living longer because it grows more slowly in the abdomen compared to mesothelioma pleural in the chest. Patients who have a high tolerance to treatment may also live longer than those who have an insufficient tolerance. For instance, a few patients with peritoneal mesothelioma have had positive results using a combination of chemotherapy, surgical removal and radiation. Signs and symptoms Asbestos fibers can cause tumors within organs when swallowed or inhaled. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lung. However, it can also occur in the chest, abdomen and testicles of men. The signs of mesothelioma generally don't show up until about 40 to 50 years after exposure. The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma begins with a thorough history of exposure to asbestos. Your doctor will then do an examination and review your symptoms. A chest X-ray could show abnormal thickening or fluid in the space that divides the lungs from the chest wall. A lung CT scan can also be used to identify mesothelioma as well as other lung cancers. You may undergo blood tests to assess the health of your kidneys and liver. The doctor might also recommend an abdominal MRI or a PET scan to determine any other mesothelioma or cancers of the chest wall, lungs or abdomen. If a biopsy is required, doctors can take a sample of the tumor by surgery or with the use of a needle through the chest wall while under local anesthesia. The doctor will then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine whether it is malignant mesothelioma, or a different type of cancer. The results from the tests will help doctors determine the extent of the mesothelioma cancer following a mesothelioma. They will assign a staging number to mesothelioma. This will help you plan your treatment. They aren't cancerous and they won't recur even if they are surgically removed. They typically form within the pleura and the abdominal lining. Because pittsburgh mesothelioma attorneys affects the heart, mesothelioma which forms in the pericardium can be more difficult to treat. It may also recur after surgery. Mesothelioma could also spread to other parts of the body like the lymph nodes or the bones located outside the chest and abdomen. The symptoms of mesothelioma resemble those of other, less serious diseases. This can make it difficult to diagnose. This can result in misdiagnosis and delay your treatment. In the meantime, delay in treatment can result in complications and lower the chances of surviving.