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Mesothelioma Asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis may be similar. Both are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers as well as dust. Pleural mesothelioma is treatable by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. The four stages of mesothelioma show the extent of cancer's spread. Doctors use staging to determine the best treatment options and life expectancies. Symptoms Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It is most commonly found in the lung linings, the chest cavity, and the abdomen (pleura) however, it can also affect membranes that connect the heart (pericardium) or the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is malignant, meaning it is likely to spread and grow beyond the location of origin. The first sign of a non-phlegmatic cough is common. Other symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and weight loss. In certain cases, patients experience swelling or lumps in the abdomen. A patient's doctor can recommend a specialist if they are experiencing these symptoms. The specialist will conduct a series tests to determine whether the symptoms are due to mesothelioma or a different cancer. The imaging scanners are used to see inside lungs, abdomens or hearts and will perform a biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis. In the case of pleural msothelioma there are two main surgical options. Extrapleural pneumonectomy eliminates part of the lung affected, the diaphragm and a section lining the heart. A pleurectomy or pulmonary decortication only removes the pleura, but not the whole lung. Other forms of treatment include radiation and chemotherapy. The first makes use of high-energy X rays to destroy cancerous cells, while the second uses drugs such as carboplatin or pemetrexed to destroy cancerous cells or slow down their growth. Patients should inform their doctor whether they've ever been exposed to asbestos. This is vital because mesothelioma can develop up to 20 years after initial exposure. The doctor will also inquire about the frequency and duration of exposure, as these factors can impact the development of symptoms. If your GP suspects you have mesothelioma, they will request a CT scan to determine how much the cancer has spread throughout the body. If the mesothelioma is spreading to the lung, a bronchoscopy should be performed to examine the airways of the lungs and lymph nodes. In certain cases doctors may suggest a PET-CT or a chest MRI scan to determine if the cancer has been able to spread to your heart. Diagnosis The most reliable way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis is to obtain a biopsy or fluid sample. The sample is utilized by doctors to determine cancerous cells that are different from normal ones. A biopsy can be done through a needle or surgery. Doctors can also use imaging tests, like x-rays and CT scans to detect mesothelioma. They may also do the positron emission tomography scan (PET) which can be used to detect cancerous cells. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other conditions making it difficult to identify. The chest pain that is caused by mesothelioma can be mistaken as heart disease or lung carcinoma. Pleural effusion, which is a condition caused by asbestos, can be misinterpreted as pneumonia or bronchitis. If doctors suspect that a patient has mesothelioma, they will ask them about their past exposure to asbestos as well as their symptoms. They will also conduct an examination of the body and take a history of the medical history of the patient's family. The doctor will then order urine and blood tests to determine the levels of certain proteins. These tests can be done in the hospital or even at home. These tests can aid doctors in determining how much asbestos is present in the body, as well as how the organs are performing. They also need to find out if the patient had any prior surgeries. A chest xray and CT scan will also be performed to determine the presence of the mesothelioma, such as a thickening of the membrane surrounding the lungs. Doctors will usually take an echocardiogram, which makes use of sound waves to create a picture of the heart if they believe a person has pericardial mesothelioma. In the case of pleural mesothelioma, an MRI scan can be helpful because it gives detailed images of the soft tissues. They may also do mediastinoscopy, which entails inserting a tube with cameras and a light inside the chest to study and sample lymph nodes in the center of the chest. This is particularly beneficial when mesothelioma is spreading to these regions. Treatment Mesothelioma is a slow-moving respiratory disease. However there are treatments that can help you manage the symptoms and improve your quality of living. Doctors may use medications, fluid drainage techniques surgery, or a combination of methods to ease fatigue and lung pain. Doctors can also help patients deal with their lack of energy and how it affects their daily lives. The first step to treat mesothelioma is to find out if cancerous cells are present. The best way to do that is by taking the procedure of a biopsy. When they perform a biopsy, physicians will take a small amount of mesothelium to examine under the microscope. billings asbestos lawyer will search for cancerous cells. A biopsy is usually performed through surgery, but doctors may also perform a procedure known as thoracentesis. This involves inserting a needle in the chest to extract the fluid sample for testing. Once the test results are available the surgeon could decide to take out any parts of the body that have been affected by mesothelioma asbestosis. This is most often performed to treat pleural mesothelioma but it is sometimes used to treat peritoneal cancer as well. Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining (pleura) of the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers are ingested and lodged in the digestive tract. Patients can take steps after surgery to improve their level of ease. These include taking naps earlier during the day, planning shopping trips and other activities when they feel more energetic and engaging in moderate exercise to reduce fatigue. Patients can also inquire about clinical trials that are being conducted for the treatment of mesothelioma with a medical professional. These trials are studies on new mesothelioma treatment options that aren't yet approved by the FDA. Other treatments are also available, including chemotherapy as well as radiation and immunotherapy. Radiation and immunotherapy are used to boost the body's natural defense systems against cancer. Targeted therapy involves using specific drugs to attack vulnerabilities in mesothelioma tumor cells. Every patient's experience is individual. It is crucial to talk to a mesothelioma professional about all possible treatment options. Prognosis A prognosis can be described as a rough estimation of the extent to which mesothelioma develops and the treatments available. It also informs patients how long they should expect to live after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. A patient's overall health is another factor that affects their mesothelioma prognosis. People who are healthier and have higher blood tests, such as normal haemoglobin, as well as higher white and platelet counts are likely to have a higher chance of surviving the disease. They will also be more at enduring chemotherapy and surgery than those with poorer general health. Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor which is agressive tumor and has a lower prognosis than other types of cancer. This is partly because it is usually diagnosed much later, after the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. Mesothelioma is also a difficult cancer to detect because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. In some cases it can take years for a patient to develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos. There are two main kinds of mesothelioma, pleural mesotheliom and peritoneal mesothelioma. Both are caused by exposure to asbestos. It is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells which cover most of the body's internal organs. The cancerous cells that cause mesothelioma pleural affect the membrane that lines the chest cavity. It can also affect the membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardium) or the testicles' lining (testicular mesothelioma). Asbestosis does not have the same symptoms as mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung problems including scarring and stiffness. Both asbestosis and mesothelioma can occur simultaneously. Mesothelioma cancer can only be found in people who have been exposed to asbestos. It typically occurs on the chest lining and abdomen. It is not triggered by smoking, and the majority of people who have developed mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos when they were working. People who smoke or suffer from other conditions like heart disease or diabetes may be more likely to develop mesothelioma over others.