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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesothelioma-related symptoms are first diagnosed, doctors will perform imaging scans to determine whether a patient is suffering from possible cancerous growths on their chest or abdomen. Mesothelioma signs can be mistaken for other illnesses such as lung cancer or pneumonia. A biopsy will be performed by the doctor to diagnose mesothelioma. There are three primary mesothelioma types which include epithelial (epidermal), Sarcomatoid (sarcoma) and biphasic. Each type responds to treatment differently and has a different impact on life expectancy. Diagnosis Doctors will perform several tests if mesothelioma was suspected. This includes a chest X ray, CT scans, and biopsies. The X-ray shows the accumulation of fluid on one side of the chest. This is known as pleural effusion and is often the first indication of mesothelioma. X-rays might not be the most reliable method for diagnosis. The next step is the chest CT scan, which provides a detailed picture of your lungs as well as other organs. A doctor can inject you with a color, which will highlight areas of potential cancer. During the CT scanner, you'll be lying on a bed and passed through a doughnut shaped scanner. The procedure only takes a few minutes and is not particularly uncomfortable, even for people who are claustrophobic. In some cases doctors will also perform an MRI. These scans use strong radio waves and magnetic fields to create high-quality pictures of soft tissues, including the lungs. An MRI can be used to determine if there is mesothelioma of the diaphragm, and to determine the stage of the disease. Some patients may also have a PET scan. In this test, you'll be given a shot the radioactive dye. Cancer cells absorb the dye more than healthy cells, so they will show up brighter in the images. A biopsy is the most definitive test to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. A doctor will take tiny portions of the lining that is affected, which will then be tested under a microscope in order to determine if cancer cells are present. This can be done under local anaesthesia or by using the CT scan or needle. If the biopsy results confirm mesothelioma your doctor will then utilize the results of the other tests to determine its stage. This stage defines the severity of the mesothelioma, and what treatment is the best for you. Learn more about staging by reading the section in this guide titled Staging. Treatment There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. Certain treatments may improve the quality of life and extend life for a longer amount of time than other. Patients with mesothelioma need to discuss their goals and figure out the best treatment strategy. Surgery can be used to treat mesothelioma. In this procedure, surgeons attempt to remove all cancerous tissues. If mesothelioma reaches an advanced stage the doctors may not be able to remove the cancer completely. Regardless, surgeons can still minimize the symptoms. The most common mesothelioma form is found within the lining that surrounds the lungs. In rare instances, a person may develop mesothelioma inside the membrane surrounding the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). In rare instances, mesothelioma could affect the testicles. Mesothelioma is treated by chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments are usually administered in mesothelioma centres that are specially designed by mesothelioma specialists who are experienced. Chemotherapy employs drugs to kill mesothelioma cancer cells and inhibit their growth. The drug combination of pemetrexed and Cisplatin is the first-line treatment for pleural mesothelioma. Radiation therapy makes use of high energy beams to kill cancerous cells. This therapy is usually used in conjunction with other mesothelioma treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery. It is also a method to kill any remaining microscopic mesothelioma which surgeons could not remove during surgery. Mesothelioma patients may experience many different side effects from these treatments. The symptoms include nausea, fatigue, and even hair loss. A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients find the best medication that meets their specific requirements. They can also suggest alternative ways to improve a patient's quality of living. These could include regular lymphatic drainage to alleviate breathing problems or powerful painkillers. Patients should inform their doctors know about any other medications, including supplements, herbal remedies or prescription drugs. This will allow them to avoid any potentially harmful interactions between these drugs. Prognosis Mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma pleural, is a cancerous tumor that affects the membrane that lines the internal cavities of our bodies like the chest cavity and abdomen. If someone develops mesothelioma, malignant cells develop in this tissue and be spread to other areas of the body and cause symptoms like difficulty breathing and pain. A specialist doctor's diagnosis of mesothelioma's is essential as it is the first step towards receiving treatment. It may take multiple steps to determine mesothelioma including a physical exam as well as lab tests and biopsy. A biopsy collects a small sample of the tumor or mass to check for mesothelioma. A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma could be very dangerous as it can delay treatment and even worsen the likelihood of a positive outcome. Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of lung cancer, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Because of this, mesothelioma is often mistakenly identified as a respiratory issue. The prognosis for mesothelioma is based on the stage and type, as well as age, general health, and medical history. There is no cure for mesothelioma however, the cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Palliative care can be provided for patients to treat symptoms such as fatigue, pain and other signs and symptoms. The mesothelioma staging stage of a patient refers to how the disease has advanced and how much of it has already expanded to other parts of the body. The doctor will employ his or their best judgment when determining the stage, taking into consideration the symptoms and the rate of growth of the cancer. The rate of survival for mesothelioma is dependent on the patient's stage and the type of cancer and the location. The prognosis of those diagnosed with less common forms of mesothelioma are less favorable. Patients who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma for example, have a better chance of living a longer life because it tends to grow slower in the abdomen than pleural mesothelioma does in the chest. Patients with an increased tolerance to treatment could also live longer than those who have an insufficient tolerance. A few patients with peritoneal mesothelioma had good results when they combined surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Symptoms Asbestos fibers can cause tumors in organs when swallowed or inhaled. Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs. However, it can also occur in the abdomen, chest, and testicles of men. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't manifest until 40-50 years after exposure. The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is taking a background of exposure to asbestos. Your doctor will perform an examination and review your symptoms. A chest X-ray may detect abnormal thickening or fluid in the space that separates the lungs from the chest wall. A lung CT scan can also be used to test for mesothelioma or other cancers of the lungs. You may undergo blood tests to check on the health of your liver and kidneys. The doctor might also recommend a chest MRI or an PET scan to determine other mesothelioma-related cancers or mesothelio of the chest wall, lungs or abdomen. If a biopsy is needed, doctors can take a sample of the tumor by surgery or by using the use of a needle through the chest wall under local anesthesia. The doctor will examine the tissue with magnifying glasses to determine if it is malignant mesothelioma, or another type of cancer. Following cary mesothelioma lawyer of mesothelioma, doctors will use the results of all tests to determine how advanced the cancer is. They will assign a staging number for mesothelioma. This can be helpful for planning your treatment. They aren't cancerous and they aren't able to grow back after removal surgically. They typically form in the abdominal lining or pleura. Mesothelioma in the pericardium is more difficult to treat due to the fact that it affects the heart. It is also possible to recur after surgery. Mesothelioma is also able to spread to other areas of the body including the lymph nodes and bones outside the chest and abdomen. It is sometimes difficult to determine if you have mesothelioma based on the similarity of symptoms to other conditions that are less serious. This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and delay treatment. In the meantime, delay in treatment can result in complications and lower the chance of surviving.