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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesothelioma signs are first diagnosed, doctors will perform imaging scans to determine whether a patient is suffering from potential cancerous growths in their chest or abdomen. Mesothelioma symptoms could be mistaken for other diseases such as pneumonia or lung cancer. A biopsy is performed by the doctor to identify mesothelioma. There are three primary mesothelioma types: epithelial (epidermal) and sarcomatoid (sarcoma) and biphasic. Each type reacts differently to treatment and has an impact on life expectancy. Diagnosis If mesothelioma has been identified, doctors will run a variety of tests to confirm it. This includes chest X ray, CT scans, and biopsies. The X-ray can show a build-up of fluid on one side of the chest. This is known as an effusion of the pleura and is usually the first indication of mesothelioma. X-rays aren't the most reliable method of diagnosis. A chest CT scan is the next step. This creates a detailed image of your lungs and organs. A doctor can inject you with a dye, which will highlight areas of cancer that may be present. During the CT scanner, you will be lying on a bed and passing through a doughnut-shaped scanner. The procedure takes only some minutes and is not uncomfortable for people who are claustrophobic. In some instances, a doctor might perform an MRI test. The scans produce high-quality images made of radio waves and powerful magnetic fields. If you have mesothelioma that is affecting the diaphragm and the diaphragm, an MRI can assist doctors in locating the cancer and determine how advanced it is. Certain patients may also undergo an PET scan. You will be given a radioactive dye in this test. Cancer cells absorb the dye more than healthy cells, and they will appear brighter on the images. A biopsy is the most definitive test to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. A doctor will take tiny portions of the lining that is affected, that will then be examined under a microscope to determine whether cancerous cells are present. This can be done under local or general anaesthesia and by using the CT scan or needle. If the biopsy results confirm mesothelioma the doctor will then consider the results of other tests to determine its stage. The stage identifies the extent of mesothelioma and the treatment is best for you. You can learn more about staging by reading the section on this guide called Staging. Treatment A variety of treatment options are available for mesothelioma. There are a variety of treatment options available. Some treatments may improve the quality of life, or extend the life span of patients longer than other. Patients with mesothelioma need to discuss their goals and decide on the most effective treatment plan. Surgery can be used to treat mesothelioma. Surgeons strive to remove any cancerous tissue during this procedure. However the mesothelioma that is in an advanced stage, it's unlikely doctors will be able to completely eliminate the tumor. In any case, surgeons can reduce symptoms. The most commonly encountered mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lining surrounding the lungs. In aurora mesothelioma attorneys , they may develop mesothelioma inside the membrane surrounding the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). In rare cases it is possible to have mesothelioma in the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is treated with chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments are usually administered by mesothelioma experts at specific centers. Chemotherapy utilizes drugs to kill mesothelioma tumor cells and stop their growth. Pemetrexed and cisplatin are the preferred first-line treatment for pleural msothelioma. Radiation therapy uses high energy beams to kill cancerous cells. This type of treatment is typically used in conjunction with other mesothelioma treatment like surgery and chemotherapy. This treatment may also be used for any microscopic mesothelioma left behind by the surgeons following surgery. These treatments can cause many adverse effects on mesothelioma patients. These symptoms include nausea fatigue, and loss of hair. A mesothelioma specialist can help patients choose the best treatment for their specific requirements. They may also suggest other ways to improve a patient's quality of living. These could include regular Pleural fluid drainage to help reduce breathing and strong painkillers. Patients should also ensure that the medical team is aware of any other medications they take such as supplements, herbs or prescription drugs. This will ensure that there aren't any potentially dangerous interactions between these medications. Prognosis Mesothelioma is an illness that affects the mesothelium membrane that lines the body's cavities, including the abdominal cavity and the chest. If someone develops mesothelioma, malignant cells develop in this tissue and can spread to other parts of the body and cause symptoms like breathing difficulties and pain. It is vital to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis from a specialist physician because this is the first step to receiving treatment. Mesothelioma is diagnosed in multiple ways, including through physical examination, lab tests, and the biopsy. A biopsy is a small sample of the tumor or mass to check for mesothelioma. The wrong diagnosis of mesothelioma can be risky, as it could delay treatment or worsen the outlook. Mesothelioma is difficult to identify, as the symptoms can be similar to lung cancer or other common illnesses like pneumonia or bronchitis. Due to this, mesothelioma is often incorrectly identified as respiratory illnesses. The prognosis of mesothelioma differs depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma as well depending on the patient's age and general health, as well as medical history. The cancer can be controlled by chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Patients can also receive palliative treatments to alleviate fatigue, pain and other symptoms. The stage of mesothelioma is an indication of how far the disease of a patient has spread and how much it has already progressed. The doctor will employ his or their best judgment when determining the stage, taking into consideration the symptoms and the rate of growth of the cancer. The survival rate of mesothelioma varies based on the stage, type and location of the cancer. Patients diagnosed with less common mesothelioma forms have a worse prognosis. Patients who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma for example have a higher chance of living longer due to the fact that it tends to shrink slower in the abdomen than pleural mesothelioma can do in the chest. Patients with an increased tolerance to treatment can live longer than patients with less tolerance. For instance, some patients with peritoneal mesothelioma's have had successful results with the combination of surgical removal, chemotherapy and radiation. Signs and symptoms When asbestos fibers are swallowed or inhaled, they cling to organ linings and cause them tumors. Mesothelioma usually occurs in the lungs. However it can also be found in the abdomen, chest and testicles of males. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't manifest until 40-50 years after exposure. The first step to determine if you have mesothelioma is to take a history of exposure to asbestos. Your doctor will perform an examination and review your symptoms. A chest X-ray could reveal abnormal thickening of the pleura and fluid in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. A lung CT scan may also be used to check for mesothelioma or other cancers of the lungs. A blood test can be ordered to determine how your kidneys and liver are working. The doctor may also order a chest MRI or an PET scan to check for any other mesothelioma or cancers of the chest wall, lungs or abdomen. If a biopsy is necessary doctors can remove a portion of the tumor using surgical procedures or using the use of a needle through the chest wall while under local anesthesia. The doctor will examine the tissue with microscope to determine whether it is malignant mesothelioma. cancer. The results of these tests will allow doctors to determine the extent of the mesothelioma after a diagnosis. They will assign mesothelioma a staging number that is beneficial in planning your treatment. Benign mesotheliomas do not cause cancer and can't be regrown after they've been completely removed surgically. They typically form in the abdominal lining or pleura. Because it affects the heart, mesothelioma which develops in the pericardium might be more difficult to treat. It can also recur following surgery. Mesothelioma is also able to spread to other areas of the body such as lymph nodes and bones located outside the abdomen and chest. It can be hard to diagnose mesothelioma because of the similarity of symptoms to other, less serious conditions. This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and delay treatment. Delay in treatment could result in complications and reduce your chances of surviving.