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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity and, in rare instances the lining of the abdomen and heart. The main cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. The result is that cells transform into mesothelioma cancer cells. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect the organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause these cells to undergo a change and form mesothelioma tumors. Most cases of mesothelioma are located in the lung. It can also develop in the tissues of the heart, abdomen and testicles. Chest discomfort and coughing are among the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Additionally patients may experience abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms are similar to many other ailments and are difficult to diagnose, especially in the initial stages of mesothelioma. The symptoms of mesothelioma could not be evident for a long time or even decades following asbestos exposure. The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is an examination and a health history. A doctor might require blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography). X-rays can reveal a mass or fluid that is not normal in the lung. These scans can help the doctor determine the location of the mesothelioma and the type of mesothelioma. The two most common types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up around 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, on the other hand, is and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma. The majority of patients with pleural cancer suffer from a painful, nonproductive cough and breathing issues. In some cases, people suffering from pleural mesothelioma might have an abnormal heart murmur, which is called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis). The most effective method to diagnose mesothelioma involves the taking of a biopsy of the tissue. The type of mesothelioma also determines how a doctor will treat the condition. For instance when a patient has pericardial mesothelioma the doctor could remove excess fluid using pleurodesis procedure or insert a pleural catheter in the body to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include chemotherapy and surgery. 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 be found 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 time of latency, many patients are misdiagnosed. The disease is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious conditions like the flu or pneumonia. This misdiagnosis can lead to delays in treatment, which could lower a patient's chances of surviving. Anyone who suspects that they might have mesothelioma must consult their physician immediately. In the initial visit, doctors will take a patient's full medical history to look for signs and any other factors that could make them more susceptible to mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos, and also the type and duration of exposure. The next step is to have doctors request imaging tests to look at the abdomen and chest for signs of mesothelioma and other abnormalities. Chest X-rays CT scans and MRIs can all reveal changes in the lungs, including pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also show whether mesothelioma has spread other parts of the body. A doctor will also order an examination of the blood to determine whether the patient has elevated levels of certain chemicals that are linked to mesothelioma. They may also carry out an operation known as a thoracentesis which involves removing fluid from the lungs and looking for cancer cells. If a mesothelioma is confirmed A biopsy is then performed to check a small sample of the tumor for cancerous cell. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle-guided CT scan may be used to carry out this procedure. The results of this test will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment plan for the patient. This could include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Certain patients may also choose to undergo immunotherapy. This newer form of mesothelioma treatment can boost a patient's quality of life and improve their chances of survival. Treatment Mesothelioma affects tissues that line and protect organs, like the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart or testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). It is not possible to cure mesothelioma, but treatment can help reduce symptoms. Your doctor will inquire about your health history and check for symptoms 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 of the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach or the heart. Over time this causes inflammation and transforms normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be identified using blood tests and imaging tests. Your doctor will use chest X-rays to determine if you suffer from an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). Your doctor will request MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to obtain precise images of the affected area. They will also perform a needle biopsy in order to collect a sample from the affected tissue. A pathologist, a mesothelioma specialist, will look at the tissue under a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cells and determine their type. The doctor will use a dye to color the tissue samples in order to diagnose the cancer. The dye will be visible when certain types of cancer are present. They will then employ a specific method to obtain an even closer view of the tissue under microscope. nevada asbestos lawsuit is sometimes difficult to identify mesothelioma since the cells that cause it are similar to other types of cells in the body. Your medical team will attempt to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. These include a blood test to determine levels of fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptide. Your healthcare team will determine a mesothelioma treatment plan depending on the type of cancer you have and the degree to which it is advanced. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most commonly used treatment options for mesothelioma. Palliative treatment may be offered when your mesothelioma is at an advanced stage. This will alleviate your pain and other symptoms. Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma patients is based on the type and stage cancer as well as factors such as age and general health. Patients should consult with doctors who are knowledgeable about the treatment options available to them. Asbestos fibers can cause damage to tissues that connect vital organs and shield them from harm. These asbestos fibers are inhaled or consumed, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation that can transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most common mesothelioma types are mesothelioma pleural (which develops on the linings of the lungs, chest cavity, and abdomen) mesothelioma. The doctor diagnoses mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue to be tested. The doctors can compare biopsy samples against a database in order to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information will help them predict a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy and treatment plan. Mesothelioma cells can be classified into three categories: epithelioid epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each mesothelioma kind develops at different rates and responds to treatment in a different way. Epithelioid cancer makes up 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 exposure to asbestos. Many patients aren't diagnosed of mesothelioma until they have significant symptoms. Asbestos sufferers should report their exposure to a doctor and be checked regularly. During these visits, doctors check for signs of exposure to asbestos such as scarring on the lung and other respiratory issues. They can also perform simple blood tests to determine the patient's health. If the results indicate that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is high, they can schedule further tests to receive an estimate of the prognosis for mesothelioma. This will include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound as well as a lung function test and a chest MRI or PET scan.