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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line the chest cavity, lungs and, in rare cases the tissues of the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the primary reason for mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers may get stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. This changes cells into mesothelioma cancer cells. Symptoms Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cancerous cells to grow into mesothelioma-related tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases occur in the lungs (pleura). It can also develop in the linings of the abdomen, the heart and testicles. Breathlessness, chest discomfort and coughing are the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Some patients also experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms can be confusing and difficult to identify in the beginning particularly when mesothelioma is still a relatively new condition. The signs of mesothelioma might not appear for years or even decades following asbestos exposure. The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is an examination and a health history. To determine the severity of symptoms, a doctor may order tests for blood and imaging scans. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography). X-rays can reveal a strange lump or a fluid that is present in the lungs. These scans can assist the doctor determine the location of the mesothelioma and the type of mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two main types. About 70% of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is less prevalent than epithelioid. The majority of patients with pleural cancer suffer from a painful, nonproductive cough and breathing problems. In certain cases, people with pleural mesothelioma could have an abnormal heart murmur an issue called pericardial effusion, or a swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis). The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is take a tissue sample, or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma also determines the way a doctor treats the illness. If a patient is diagnosed with pericardial cancer doctors will remove excess fluid with a procedure known as pleurodesis, or insert an pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and improve respiration. Other treatments include surgery or chemotherapy. Diagnosis Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, develops in the organ's linings, known as the mesothelium. The disease is most prevalent in the lungs, however it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes. The signs of mesothelioma may appear between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Due to this latency period many patients could be incorrectly diagnosed. It is often mistaken for other, less serious illnesses, like pneumonia or the flu. This can result in delays in treatment, which may reduce the chances of surviving. If you suspect mesothelioma, see their doctor as soon as they can. During the initial visit, doctors take a patient's full medical history to identify signs and any other factors that might make them more likely to have mesothelioma. This includes any prior exposure to asbestos, as well as the nature and duration of exposure. The doctor will then order imaging tests of the chest and abdomen to determine if there are signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays CT scans and MRIs all offer detailed images of the interior of the body and can show lung issues, such as the pleural thickening process or the accumulation of fluid. They can also tell whether the mesothelioma tumor has spread to other areas of the body. A doctor will also order a blood test to see whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation known as a Thoracentesis which involves removing fluid from the lungs and examining the lungs for cancerous cells. If a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed the biopsy procedure is carried out to check a small sample of the tumor for cancerous cell. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan can be used to carry out this procedure. The results will help determine the best mesothelioma treatment option for the patient. This could include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Some patients will also opt to undergo immunotherapy. This latest form of treatment 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 lungs (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Bolingbrook asbestos lawsuits is not possible to cure mesothelioma but treatment can help reduce symptoms. Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and look for symptoms of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your asbestos exposure as asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibers to be trapped in the linings the chest cavity (mesothelium), stomach or the heart. This can cause inflammation over time, and can transform normal cells into cancerous cells. Blood tests and imaging tests can be used to diagnose mesothelioma. Your doctor uses an X-ray of the chest to determine if there is fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Your doctor will request MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain precise images of the affected region. They may also perform the procedure of a needle biopsy to obtain a sample from the affected tissue. A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will look at the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine the type of mesothelioma that you have. The pathologist will employ a dye to stain the tissue samples in order to identify the cancer. The dye is visible when certain types of cancer are present. They will then employ a specific method to obtain an in-depth look at the tissue under microscope. Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because mesothelioma cells appear similar to other kinds of cell within the body. Your care team will try to confirm the diagnosis with other tests. These tests involve an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3 or soluble mesothelin related peptide. Your healthcare provider will decide the best treatment option for mesothelioma based on your cancer type and stage. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most commonly used treatment options for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma is in advanced stages you could also be offered palliative care to relieve discomfort and other signs. Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma varies on the type and the stage of cancer, as well as other factors such as the patient's age and general health. Patients should work with experienced doctors to learn more about the treatment options available to them. Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or ingested and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that turn normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma variants are pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura) as well as mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer type that is found in the lining of the abdomen. Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend that a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is when you take small amounts of tissue to be tested. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples to a database in order to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can be used to predict the life expectancy of a person suffering from mesothelioma as well as their treatment plan. The mesothelioma types are epithelioid, epithelial and epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells, and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma type grows at an individual rate and responds to treatment in a different way. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma. It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos. Therefore, many patients do not get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they show signs of. Asbestos exposure must be reported to a doctor, and victims should undergo periodic checks. During these visits, doctors can check for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring on the lung and other respiratory issues. They may also conduct simple blood tests to check the health of a patient's general. If the results show that a patient's risk of developing mesothelioma is high, they can arrange for further tests to determine mesothelioma-related prognosis. This may include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as lung function tests, and a chest MRI or PET scan.