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Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers irritate tissues that surround many of your organs. The cancerous cells then grow.

The lung's lining (pleura) is the most frequent site for mesothelioma. Other types are less common and affect the lining in the abdomen or around the testicles.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma following a thorough examination of samples of tissue or fluid for cancerous cells. They can also order blood tests and imaging tests.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma can affect the linings of several organs. The symptoms differ based on the location the tumor forms in the pleura (lung lining) for pleural mesothelioma and the peritoneum for peritoneal mesothelioma. Fever, fatigue and unexplained weight loss are typical symptoms. Mesothelioma symptoms may also include pain and trouble breathing.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam. Your doctor will inquire about any asbestos exposure you have had in the past and other factors that may increase your likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes the background of working in an industry where asbestos use was common, like manufacturing, shipbuilding, or construction.

In the majority of cases mesothelioma can be diagnosed with images of the abdomen or chest. These include X-rays, CT (computer tomography) scans and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These tests allow doctors to view the inside of your body and check for mesothelioma or other masses in the lung or stomach.

X-rays can reveal a thickening or fluid buildup in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. These are signs of the pleural cancer. They will also identify any fluid in the abdomen which is usually associated with peritoneal mesothelioma.

If a mesothelioma tumor is found, your doctor will order a biopsy. During a biopsy your doctor will take a tiny amount of tissue to test for mesothelioma. A surgeon may insert an instrument into the tumor, or perform an operation to remove the sample.

For mesothelioma pleural, doctors will drain the fluid in the chest cavity with a procedure called pleurodesis. This involves cutting a small incision within the abdomen or chest and using a special tube to drain the fluid. In the latter stages of pleural mesothelioma, patients are often unable to breathe because of the accumulation of fluid. Your doctor may use an indwelling needle or an indwelling cathode to try and reduce the amount of fluid that builds up in your pleura.

In rare instances, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain as well as weight loss and breathing difficulties. These are known as metastatic symptoms, because they occur outside of the tumor that caused them.

Diagnosis

In most cases, doctors will first perform a physical examination to look for signs such as chest pain and coughing. They also inquire with patients about any previous asbestos exposure. Then, they'll conduct imaging tests to search for tumors in the abdomen and lungs. These could include X-rays CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or Postron emission Tomography (PET) scans.

Because mesothelioma is so rare it can be difficult for doctors to identify it accurately. mesothelioma lawyers is often misdiagnosed as common diseases such as bronchitis or pneumonia. This can delay treatment, and can cause the disease to spread before it is detected.

If doctors discover a potential mesothelioma cancer, they'll need a sample of tissue or fluid for testing. These samples will confirm the type of cancer and whether it has spread. Doctors can take mesothelioma samples via a biopsy. They can be done by removing a small amount of tissue via surgery or by inserting a needle into the chest or abdominal area to drain the fluid.

The samples will be examined for cancerous cells. The type of mesothelioma that the doctor finds will help determine the best treatment options.

Doctors may recommend lab tests to understand the tumor. These tests can help identify particular proteins, genes, or other factors that are unique to the tumor.

Finally, doctors will want to know whether the tumor has spread, which is called staging. This helps them describe the size of the tumor and whether it has been able to spread to other organs.

When all of the tests are completed the doctor will discuss them with you. They will also give you an estimate of your prognosis. This is based on averages of other mesothelioma sufferers with similar symptoms and stage. Then, they will explain how the prognosis is likely to alter as the tumor grows or shrinks and other treatments are used. Request a second doctor's opinion if you have any concerns. This is a great way to ensure you get the best treatment.

Treatment

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is just the beginning of a long journey. Treatment options are based on many factors including the type and grade of mesothelioma (how quickly it develops). Doctors will also take into account the general health of a person, age and other medical conditions.

It is often difficult to diagnose mesothelioma compensation, as it is a rare condition. Combinations of tests, such as chest CT scans and Xrays, are frequently used to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. These imaging studies may reveal changes in the lung lining or abdomen, like the thickening of the pleura and the accumulation of fluid. The blood tests can be done to check for high levels associated with mesothelioma.

A biopsy is usually taken when mesothelioma is suspected. A biopsy is done by inserting a needle into the affected area and removing the tissue to be examined. The sample will be analyzed in a lab to determine if the sample contains any cancer cells.

Doctors can drain excess fluid from patients with pleural mesothelioma through a procedure called the thoracentesis. Also, they can use pleurodesis which can help prevent the buildup of fluid in the future. Pleurodesis involves inserting a tube into the chest to aid in draining the fluid. It can be combined with medication to reduce the chance of fluid accumulating again.

Radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with chemotherapy or surgery to treat mesothelioma. Doctors can choose to use traditional photon radiation, or a more sophisticated method known as intensity-modulated radiotherapy. This sends the radiation in different angles to reduce the damage to healthy tissue.

It can be used to aid in surgery by using chemotherapy drugs to kill cancerous cells. Patients suffering from peritoneal msothelioma could also receive intraperitoneal chemotherapy which is heated and injected into the abdomen. Clinical trials of new treatments for mesothelioma are available to a select group of people. These are usually done in larger medical centers, and could yield the most promising results. Mesothelioma can recur, or recur after receiving treatment. The treatment options differ based on the site of the recurrence as well as the treatment options previously used.

Prognosis

In general, a person's mesothelioma prognosis depends on the type of cancer they have and the stage at which they were diagnosed, their overall health and the age of the patient. It is also dependent on how far the mesothelioma spreads and how much the treatment will help in controlling symptoms.

A doctor will perform several tests to determine the outlook of a mesothelioma patient, including imaging tests (a CT scan or X-ray), blood tests and the biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing a small sample of mesothelioma settlement tumor or tissue and examine it under a microscope in order to check for cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, affects the organs' surrounding tissues like the lining that surrounds the chest, abdomen, and the testes. It is caused by asbestos exposure.

A mesothelioma diagnosis may be shocking and cause feelings of anger, shock fear, or anxiety. Talking about these feelings with a trusted family member, mesothelioma association or a lawyer is essential.

The outlook for mesothelioma patients can be improved if the condition is identified in its early stages. If doctors can remove the tumor, or a significant portion of it, patients have a better chance of a longer life.

Another aspect is how fit a mesothelioma victim is. Those with a higher fitness level are able to endure more rigorous mesothelioma treatment and have better survival rates. A person's blood chemistry can be a factor in their mesothelioma prognosis. The better a person's outlook is, the more normal their haemoglobin and white blood cell counts are.

Mesothelioma can be treated if it has not reached the point of critical. It can be treated through radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgery. These treatments can decrease the likelihood of cancer cells growing and spreading. These treatments are not able to cure cancer. Many mesothelioma patients have outlived their initial prognosis. Some mesothelioma victims have lived for years or even a decade after their diagnosis. For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould survived his mesothelioma peritoneal for over 20 years. He later died of cancer that was not connected to his mesothelioma.