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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissue lining the chest cavity and lungs, and in rare cases the lining of the abdomen and heart. The most common cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. Cells turn into mesothelioma cancerous cells. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect the organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause cancerous cells to develop into mesothelioma tumors. Most cases of mesothelioma are located in the lungs. duluth asbestos law firm can also be found in the linings of the heart, abdomen and testicles. The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. In addition, some patients are suffering from abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms can be confusing and difficult to diagnose in the beginning particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new disease. The symptoms of mesothelioma could not appear for years or even decades following asbestos exposure. A physical examination and a medical history of the patient is the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. A doctor might request blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography). X-rays may reveal a mass or fluid that is not normal in the lungs. These scans can assist the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is located and the kind of mesothelioma. The two major mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. About 70% of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is less common than epithelioid. People with pleural cancer typically suffer from a painful, nonproductive cough and breathing problems. A person with pleural msothelioma may suffer from an abnormal heart sound or a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum. The most effective method to identify mesothelioma is to take the taking of a biopsy of the tissue. The type of mesothelioma determines how a doctor will treat the condition. For instance in the case of mesothelioma of the pericardium the doctor could drain excess fluid with a procedure called pleurodesis or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy. Diagnosis The mesothelioma-related cancer forms on the linings of the organs. The disease is most prevalent in the lungs. However, it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes. The signs of mesothelioma may be noticed between 10 and 50 years after the first exposure. Due to this latency period it is possible for patients to be misdiagnosed. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious conditions like the flu or pneumonia. This mistake can result in delays in treatment, which can lower a patient's chances of surviving. Those who suspect mesothelioma should see their doctor immediately. During the initial visit, doctors review the medical history of a patient to identify any signs or symptoms that could increase the risk of mesothelioma. This includes previous asbestos exposure as well as the nature and duration of the exposure. The next step is for doctors to conduct imaging tests to examine the abdomen and chest for signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRIs all provide precise images of the inside of the body. They also show lung issues like the thickening of the pleura or the buildup of fluid. They can also reveal whether mesothelioma cancer has spread to other areas of the body. A doctor might also recommend an examination of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation called a thoracentesis which involves removing fluid from the lungs and examining the lungs for cancerous cells. If mesothelioma is found to be the cause A biopsy is then performed to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan is a method to carry out this procedure. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are best for the patient. This may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Some patients will also opt to undergo immunotherapy. This more advanced mesothelioma treatment could improve a patient's quality of life and improve their chances of survival. Treatment Mesothelioma affects tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lung (pleural mesothelioma) and stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart or testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Although mesothelioma cannot be cured but treatment can help manage symptoms. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about asbestos exposure because it is the leading mesothelioma risk factor. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibers to be trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach, chest cavity or the heart. This can cause inflammation over time, and can change normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be identified using imaging tests and blood tests. Your healthcare provider will employ a chest X-ray to see changes in your lung tissue, and determine whether you have the build-up of fluid (pleural effusion). The doctor will recommend MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to get detailed images of the affected area. They may also perform an incisional needle biopsy to collect a sample of the affected tissue. A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will look at the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope in order to find cancerous cells and determine the type of mesothelioma you suffer from. To establish the diagnosis the doctor will stain the tissue sample with a dye that lights up when certain types of proteins are present. They will then use a specific method to obtain a closer look at the tissue under the microscope. Mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize because mesothelioma-related cells appear similar to other kinds of cell in the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. These tests involve a blood sample to measure the levels of fibulin-3 or mesothelin related peptide that is soluble. Your healthcare team will determine the best treatment option for mesothelioma based on the type of cancer and stage. The most common mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also be offered palliative treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms. Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and the stage of cancer, as well as other factors like the patient's age and general health. Patients should work with experienced doctors to learn more about their treatment options. Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or consumed and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that convert normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining and chest cavity (pleura) as well as mesothelioma peritoneal, a less common form that develops in the protective lining of the abdomen. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is when you take small amounts of tissue to be tested. Doctors can then compare the biopsy samples to a database to identify the most likely mesothelioma cell type. This information can be used to predict the life expectancy of a patient with mesothelioma, as well as their treatment plan. Mesothelioma cells can be classified into three categories: epithelioid, epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma forms at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid cancer accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a higher survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid. It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma develop after exposure to asbestos. Therefore, many patients don't receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until they show signs of. Asbestos exposure must be reported to a doctor and the victims must undergo regular checks. During these visits, doctors can look for signs of asbestos-related exposure for example, scarring around the lungs or other respiratory problems. They may also conduct simple blood tests to assess the overall health of a patient. If the results indicate that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is high, they can arrange for further tests to determine mesothelioma-related prognosis. This could include imaging tests like X rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds, as well the lung function test, a chest MRI, or PET scan.