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What is Mesothelioma?

Rare cancer that is found in the thin layer that covers many internal organs like the lungs, abdomen and the peritoneum. It can cause symptoms such as breathlessness as well as chest pain and dry cough.

A biopsy is a method of diagnosing mesothelioma. Doctors can detect it by images taken with an X-ray, CT scan or an MRI.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma, a cancerous condition that affects organ linings within the body, is a cancer. It is usually caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma can cause pain, nausea, breathing problems and other signs throughout the body. The symptoms differ based on the location of the cancer and what type of mesothelioma it is.

It isn't always easy for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma since the symptoms are similar to other types of cancer. The best method to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma, is to see your doctor and explain your past experiences with asbestos exposure. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and request tests to determine if you have mesothelioma. These could include a chest X-ray, CT scan or blood tests. It is possible to require a biopsy of your tissue to remove a tiny piece of tissue to examine under a microscope.

Your doctor will use these tests to determine the stage of your mesothelioma. A higher number of staging numbers indicates that the cancer has spread. A cure is not possible for most stages of mesothelioma, but treatment can help manage symptoms and prolong life.

Mesothelioma can be classified into three types by doctors based on the tissues affected. About 50 percent of cases are epithelial. The other two types are sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic. Patients with these types typically have lower survival rates.

If a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma their doctor will talk about treatment options.  what mesothelioma  include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Some doctors also suggest multimodal therapy which is a combination of treatments.

For example, pleural mesothelioma patients receive chemotherapy to shrink tumors before surgery. They may also undergo a procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves the use of an ingredient that causes the lung lining to become scarred and stick together, so fluid does not build up in the lung.

People with mesothelioma should talk to their doctor about stress reduction and ways to improve quality of life. Many mesothelioma patients feel stressed out by financial worries and taking care of loved ones. Exercise, meditation and other activities can help reduce stress. Patients can also get help from support groups or a mental health counselor.

Diagnosis

Doctors first diagnose mesothelioma through reviewing the health history of a patient and doing a physical examination. The doctor will ask about the patient's exposure to asbestos, and any other symptoms they may be experiencing. Mesothelioma is difficult to identify since it is extremely rare and the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases.

When doctors receive mesothelioma diagnoses they will perform various tests to determine the stage of the disease. The stage of mesothelioma helps doctors to plan treatment and predict the prognosis. The most frequently used test to determine mesothelioma's stage is an x-ray taken of the chest. This will show whether the cancer has spread into the lungs, and may also reveal the accumulation of fluid or thickening of the pleura.

In addition, a blood test is often taken to see if the mesothelioma cells produce certain markers. However, these tests are not perfect and could be misleading as mesothelioma cell lines can resemble normal cells.

A biopsy is usually ordered by a doctor if an imaging scan shows an underlying tumor or mass. A small portion of tissue is taken from the affected area. A pathologist will then examine the sample under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma-like cells and determine their location, origin and kind.

The most common mesothelioma form, epithelial is a thin layer of cells that line the chest wall and lungs. It is responsible for about 50 percent of mesothelioma cases. Other types include sarcomatoid, biphasic, and larger cell masses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a lower incidence however it is more aggressive and has a poorer prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma.

In some instances biopsies can be done using a tube with a camera and special tools to access the suspect area. In other instances, a surgeon will make an incision to extract a sample of tissue. The tissue will be sent to a lab to be analyzed for mesothelioma. During the biopsy, doctors collect samples of liquid from any area that has mesothelioma.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is a layer of cells that surrounds and protects organs throughout the body. The lining of the chest and abdominal cavities, also known as the pleura, is most frequently affected, but mesothelioma may also affect the pericardium or peritoneum.

A specialist mesothelioma physician is recommended to anyone diagnosed with the disease. The first step is an examination of the affected areas. Doctors can inquire about asbestos exposure in the past and order imaging scans such as a CT or MRI. These tests help doctors identify possible signs of mesothelioma and rule out other diseases such as lung cancer or pneumonia.

These medical records, along with other ones, are used by doctors to determine if mesothelioma-related symptoms are present and also the mesothelioma type like epithelial or sarcomatoid. Doctors will also discuss the available treatments options.

The type of mesothelioma a person has, the location and severity of the tumors and other factors affecting health can impact the treatment. Mesothelioma can be classified into different stages depending on the extent of the cancer and whether it has spread.

Surgery can relieve a variety of symptoms, including breathlessness caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion) and chest pain. In the case of pleural msothelioma surgery, it can be done to drain the fluid, or an extrapleural pleural pneumonectomy is performed. This involves removing some of the lung, pleura and several nearby lymphnodes and lymph nodes, as well as the diaphragm, and a small portion of the pericardium or lining that surrounds the heart.

Pleurodesis, an operation in which the doctor uses a chemical to scar the pleura and make it stick to the lung, may reduce symptoms for people with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. A tube may also be placed in the chest to drain fluid regularly at home.

If mesothelioma hasn't yet spread, chemotherapy may be used to shrink tumors and prolong the time of survival. Chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with other treatments such as radiation therapy or surgery to provide the patient with as comprehensive a treatment as is possible. Palliative treatments can be beneficial for patients suffering from mesothelioma. This can help with pain, fatigue and depression.

Prognosis

The prognosis for a patient with a mesothelioma diagnosis will depend on both the type and the severity of the cancer. The survival rate for mesothelioma is determined by four different stages.

The majority of people are diagnosed with mesothelioma once the cancer is in advanced stages. The majority of the time it affects the lung linings as well as the chest wall. This type of mesothelioma usually results in symptoms like chest pain and breathing difficulties. Mesothelioma-related symptoms can also result in the accumulation of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion). Mesothelioma found in the abdomen lining, referred to as mesothelioma peritoneal, has a different prognosis than pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal Mesothelioma, which is more common than pleural mesothelioma, is more difficult to treat. Mesothelioma found in the heart's lining is known as pericardial mesothelioma and is even more difficult to treat.

Mesothelioma treatments are usually targeted at reducing symptoms and prolonging life. Palliative care is the name of this treatment. Symptoms like pain can be controlled with medication and physical therapy. The fluid can be removed from the chest to relieve pressure on the lung. Patients suffering from mesothelioma at the end of their stage may receive lung transplants to improve their quality.

The outlook for mesothelioma patients can be affected by an individual's gender and age, as well as their general health. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women however both be assured of a favorable outcome when treated by mesothelioma specialists.

People with a poor prognosis tend to be older and have poorer overall health. Patients with these conditions are more likely to suffer from mesothelioma that has spread into other areas of the body. These patients may have difficulties breathing or experience pain and swelling in areas of their body that aren't affected by mesothelioma. Patients with mesothelioma may be treated with a combination chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Whatever treatment is chosen an expert in mesothelioma can help patients understand their prognosis and what to expect. Patients should also discuss their asbestos exposure history.