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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers irritate tissues that surround many of your organs. The cancerous cells grow. The lung's lining (pleura) is the most frequent site for mesothelioma. Other types are less well-known and affect the lining in the abdomen or around the testicles. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by looking at the tissue or fluid for cancerous cells. They may also request blood tests and imaging tests. Symptoms Mesothelioma can affect the linings of different organs. The symptoms vary based on where the tumor develops and the location, like the pleura (lung liner) for pleural mesothelioma and the peritoneum in the case of peritoneal mesotheliom. Unpredictable fatigue, fever and weight loss are typical symptoms. Other signs of mesothelioma are breathing difficulties and pain. The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is a physical examination. pittsburgh mesothelioma attorney will ask you about any asbestos exposure you have had in the past as well as other factors that could increase your risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes any past history of asbestos exposure like in the construction, shipbuilding or manufacturing industries. The majority of mesothelioma cases can be diagnosed by imaging scans of either the chest or abdomen. These include X-rays, CT (computer tomography) scans and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These tests offer doctors the opportunity to see inside your body and check for mesothelioma and other lung tumors or stomach. X-rays will show an increase in the pleura or the accumulation of fluid in the space between your lungs and chest wall, which are common symptoms of mesothelioma pleural. They will also detect any fluid in the abdominal cavity, which is most often associated with peritoneal mesothelioma. If a mesothelioma mass is discovered, your doctor will order a biopsy. In a biopsy, your doctor will take some of the tissue from the tumor to check for mesothelioma cells. A surgeon will inject a needle or perform a surgical operation to remove the sample. For patients with pleural mesothelioma doctors will drain the mesothelioma in the chest cavity using the procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves making a small incision on the abdomen or chest and then using a tube to drain the fluid. In the later stages of pleural mesothelioma, patients often have trouble breathing because of the accumulation of fluid. Your doctor might try to stop the buildup of fluid in your pleura by inserting an indwelling catheter or with ultrasound-guided needle aspiration. In rare cases mesothelioma may spread to other areas of the body. This can cause symptoms like abdominal pain weight loss, difficulty breathing. These symptoms are called metastatic signs, since they are not associated with the original tumor. Diagnosis In most instances, doctors first assess symptoms such as coughing and chest pain by doing a physical exam. They will also ask patients about any previous asbestos exposure. They will then order imaging tests to look for signs of tumors in the lungs and abdomen. This could include X-rays CT scans magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or Postron emission Tomography (PET) scans. Since mesothelioma is a rare cancer it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose it accurately. Patients with mesothelioma are often wrongly diagnosed with common illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis. This can delay treatment and cause the disease to spread before it is fully diagnosed. If doctors discover a potential mesothelioma cancer, they'll require a sample of the tissue or fluid to test. These samples will confirm the type of cancer and whether it has spread. The biopsy is a method by which doctors can collect samples of mesothelioma. They can be done by removing a small amount of tissue through surgery or inserting a needle into the chest or abdominal region to remove fluid. The samples will be analyzed to see whether they contain cancerous cells. The type of mesothelioma that the doctor discovers can help them determine the best treatment options. Doctors may suggest lab tests to better understand the tumor. These tests can help identify proteins, genes and other elements that are unique to a tumor. Finally, doctors will be looking to determine if the tumor has spread by staging. This lets them determine the size of the tumor as well as whether it has gotten larger. The doctor will go over the results with you when they are all in. You will also be given an estimate of your prognosis. This is based upon the typical mesothelioma patients with similar symptoms and stages. They will then describe how the prognosis might change as the tumor grows shrinks, shrinks, or when other treatments are employed. If you have any questions then seek an additional opinion from a different doctor. This is a great method to ensure that you receive the highest quality treatment. Treatment Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is just the beginning of a long and difficult road. The treatment options depend on a number of aspects, including the type of mesothelioma, as well as its severity (how quickly it develops). Doctors also take into consideration the person's age, general health and any other medical issues. It can be difficult to determine mesothelioma's diagnosis, because it is a rare disease. A combination of tests, including chest CT scans and Xrays, are frequently used to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. These imaging studies can reveal changes in the lung linings as well as the abdomen, including pleural thickening or fluid buildup. Blood tests can also be conducted to look for high levels of specific proteins that are associated with mesothelioma. A biopsy is usually done when a mesothelioma diagnosis is made. This involves inserting a needle into the affected area to extract a small sample of tissue to be tested. The sample will then be examined in a lab to determine if the sample contains any cancerous cells. Doctors can drain excess fluid from a patient with pleural mesothelioma using the procedure known as thoracentesis. Also, they can use pleurodesis which can help prevent the buildup of fluid in the future. Pleurodesis involves placing an incision into the chest to remove fluid. It can be used in conjunction with medication to decrease the chance that fluid will build up again. Radiation therapy is another popular treatment for mesothelioma, and it can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with chemotherapy or surgery. Doctors can choose to use traditional photon radiation, or a more advanced technique known as intensity-modulated radiotherapy. This sends the radiation at different angles to limit damage to healthy tissues. It can be utilized to facilitate surgery by using drugs that destroy cancerous cells. Patients with peritoneal msothelioma can also receive intraperitoneal chemotherapy, which is heated before being injected into the abdomen. Clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatments are open to certain individuals. These are typically done at larger medical centers and may yield the most promising results. Even after treatment, mesothelioma could recur. The treatment options differ based on the site of the recurrence as well as the treatment options previously used. Prognosis In general the prognosis of a mesothelioma patient depends on the type of cancer they suffer from the stage at when they were diagnosed, their overall health and their age. It is also dependent on how far the mesothelioma spreads and how much the treatment can help them manage their symptoms. A doctor will use several tests to determine a patient's prognosis which include imaging tests such as the CT scan or X-ray, blood tests and biopsy. A biopsy is when doctors collect small amounts of the mesothelioma tissue or tumor and examine it with a magnifying glass to detect cancerous cells. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, affects the tissues that surround organs such as the lining around the chest, abdomen, and the testes. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. A mesothelioma diagnose can be a shock and may cause feelings of anger, fear, or anxiety. Discussing these feelings with an experienced family member, mesothelioma association or a lawyer is crucial. The prognosis for mesothelioma can be improved if the disease is identified in its early stages. If doctors are able to remove a tumor or a large part of it, the patient stands greater chance of a longer lifespan. Fitness is another aspect. The ones who are more fit level are able to handle more intense mesothelioma treatments and have a higher rate of survival. A person's blood chemistry can also affect their mesothelioma prognosis. The more normal a person's haemoglobin levels and platelet and white blood cells counts are the better their chances of survival. A mesothelioma that has not yet reached a critical stage may be treated by radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgery. These treatments can lower the possibility of cancer cells growing and spreading. However, these treatments do not cure cancer. Many mesothelioma patients have outlived their initial prognosis. Some have lived for years, or even a decade after receiving their mesothelioma diagnosis. Stephen Jay Gould, a paleontologist, was able to survive peritoneal msothelio 20 years. However, he passed away from cancer that was not related to mesothelioma.