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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity and, in some cases the abdomen's lining and the heart. The main cause of mesothelioma lies in asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers may get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This turns cells into mesothelioma-like cancerous cells. Symptoms Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, affects the tissues that connect and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause cancerous cells to transform into mesothelioma tumours. The majority of mesothelioma cases are located in the lung. It can also develop in the linings of the abdomen, the heart and testicles. The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath as well as chest pain and coughing. Patients may also feel abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms can be confusing and difficult to identify in the early stages particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively young disease. It could take years or even decades following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to appear. The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is a physical examination and a medical history. A doctor might require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography). X-rays may reveal an unusual swelling or fluid inside the lungs. These scans can assist the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is located and the type of mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two most prevalent types. About 70% of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. daly city asbestos lawyer is less common and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma. The majority of people diagnosed with pleural melanoma have a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain and difficulty breathing. A person with pleural msothelioma may have an abnormal heart sound or a condition known as pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum. The best way to accurately identify mesothelioma is through an examination of the tissues. The type of mesothelioma determines how a doctor will treat the disease. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer, the doctor will remove excess fluid with a procedure known as pleurodesis, or insert the pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and enhance breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the linings of organs called the mesothelium. The disease is most common in the lungs. However, it can also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes. The signs of mesothelioma may be seen between 10 and fifty years after the initial exposure. Due to this latency period many patients could be mistakenly diagnosed. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This mistake could result in delays in treatment, which may decrease the chance of survival. Those who suspect that they may have mesothelioma need to see their doctor immediately. In the initial appointment, doctors will review a patient's medical history to identify any symptoms or factors that could increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos and asbestos, as well as the type and duration of the exposure. The next step is to have doctors request imaging tests to look at the chest and abdomen for any signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X rays, CT scans and MRIs are all able to reveal changes in the lungs, like pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also show whether mesothelioma cancer has spread to other regions of the body. A doctor may also request a blood test to see if the patient has high levels of certain chemicals that are associated with mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation known as a thoracentesis which involves removal of lungs of fluid and examining for cancerous cells. If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed A biopsy is then performed to test a small amount of the tumor for cancerous cell. This can be done using VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments) or through a needle guided by the aid of a CT scan. The results will help determine which mesothelioma treatments are best for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients may also choose to take part in immunotherapy. This newer form can improve the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life. Treatment Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lung (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is impossible to cure mesothelioma but treatment can help manage symptoms. Your doctor will inquire about your health history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your exposure to asbestos, as it is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to become trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach, chest cavity or the heart. In time, this causes inflammation and transforms normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed using blood tests and imaging tests. Your doctor will make use of a chest X-ray to see changes in your lung tissue, and determine whether you have fluid build-up (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will request an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) to obtain high-quality images. They will also perform a needle biopsy in order to obtain a sample from the affected tissue. A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will look at mesothelioma cells under a microscope in order to find cancerous cells and determine the type of mesothelioma that you have. To establish the diagnosis the doctor will stain the sample using a dye which shows up when certain kinds of protein are present. The doctor will then employ a technique to magnify the tissue. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the cells that cause it are similar to other types of cells in the body. Your healthcare team will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by other tests. They may use blood tests to determine the levels of fibulin-3 as well as soluble mesothelin-related peptide. Your healthcare team will choose a mesothelioma treatment plan depending on the kind of cancer you have and how advanced it is. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is in advanced stages, you may also receive palliative treatment to relieve pain and other symptoms. Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on the stage and type of cancer as well as other factors like age and general health. Patients should work with skilled doctors to know more about the treatment options available to them. Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that line vital organs and safeguard them. The asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma variants are pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining and chest cavity (pleura) as well as peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer form that arises in the lining that protects the abdomen. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend an examination to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves the removal of tiny pieces of tissue to be examined. The doctors can compare biopsy samples against an online database to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can help them determine the patient's mesothelioma's life expectancy and treatment plan. The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid, epithelial and epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma kind develops at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. Epithelioid cancer accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a better survival rate than biphasic or sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Mesothelioma may develop for up to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Many patients don't receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they experience serious symptoms. Asbestos victims should disclose their exposure to a physician and be checked regularly. During these visits, doctors will check for signs of asbestos exposure like scarring on the lungs and other respiratory problems. They can also do simple blood tests to determine the health of the patient. If the results indicate that a patient is at an increased risk of mesothelioma, they can schedule additional tests to receive an estimate of the prognosis. This could include imaging tests like X radiographs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, in addition to the lung function test or chest MRI, or PET scan.