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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesothelioma is diagnosed for the first time doctors will order imaging scans to determine if there are any cancerous growths on the abdomen or chest. Mesothelioma can be a sign of other illnesses like lung cancer, pneumonia, or pneumonia and can cause incorrect diagnosis. A biopsy will be taken by a doctor to determine mesothelioma. There are three mesothelioma cell types: epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each type responds to treatment differently and has a different impact on the life expectancy. Diagnosis Doctors will perform several tests if mesothelioma is suspected. This may include chest X-rays, CT scans and biopsies. The X-ray shows a build-up of fluid on one side of the chest. This is referred to as pleural effusion, and is usually the first indication of mesothelioma. X-rays may not be the most reliable method for diagnosis. The next step is the chest CT scan, which will give you a a detailed picture of your lungs and other organs. A doctor can inject you with a dye that will reveal areas that could be cancerous. During the CT scan, you will be scanned through a doughnut-shaped scanner as you lie on the bed. The procedure takes only minutes and isn't too uncomfortable for people who are claustrophobic. In certain instances, a doctor might perform an MRI test. The scans make use of powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to produce high-quality images of soft tissues like lung tissues. An MRI can be used to detect mesothelioma that affects the diaphragm, and to determine its stage. Some patients might also undergo a PET scan. You will be given a radioactive color in this test. Cancer cells absorb dye more than healthy cells, and they will show up brighter on the images. A biopsy is the most definitive test to confirm mesothelioma. A doctor will remove a small amount of the lining that is affected, which will be examined under a microscope, to determine whether cancerous cells are present. This can be done under local or general anaesthesia and by using the CT scan or a needle. If the biopsy results confirm mesothelioma the doctor will then consider the results of the other tests to determine its stage. The stage identifies the extent of the mesothelioma and which treatment is best for you. Learn more about staging by reading the section in this guide, titled Staging. Treatment Many treatment options are available for mesothelioma. Certain treatments can improve the quality of life and extend life for a longer amount of time than others. Patients suffering from mesothelioma should talk about their goals and decide on the most effective treatment plan. Surgery is a method to treat mesothelioma. During this procedure surgeons attempt to remove all cancerous tissues. However the mesothelioma that is in an advanced stage, it's unlikely surgeons will be able to completely eliminate the tumor. Regardless, surgeons can still reduce symptoms. The most common mesothelioma type is found in the lining of the lungs. The mesothelioma can develop around the lungs in a few instances (pericardial msothelioma). In rare instances, mesothelioma could affect the testicles. Mesothelioma is treated with radiation and chemotherapy. These treatments are usually delivered by mesothelioma experts at special centers. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill the mesothelioma cancer cells and stop their growth. Cisplatin and pemetrexed are the preferred first-line treatment for pleural msothelioma. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams that kill cancerous cells. This procedure is usually utilized in combination with other mesothelioma treatments like surgery or chemotherapy. This treatment is also applied to any mesothelioma that is microscopic left behind by the surgeons after surgery. Mesothelioma patients can experience many diverse side effects as a result from these treatments. The symptoms include nausea, fatigue and hair loss. A mesothelioma expert can help patients choose the best medication to meet their individual requirements. They can also recommend other methods to improve a patient's quality of life. These could include regular pleural fluid drainage to reduce breathing and strong painkillers. Patients should ensure their medical team is aware of any other medications they take for example, supplements, herbs or prescription drugs. This will help avoid any potentially harmful interactions between these medications. Prognosis Mesothelioma, also called mesothelioma of the pleural region is a tumor that causes cancer that affects the membrane that lines the body's cavities such as the abdomen and chest cavity. When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma cells that are malignant form in this tissue and can spread to other parts of the body and cause symptoms like pain and difficulty breathing. It is very important to have a mesothelioma diagnosis from a specialist doctor because this is the initial step to receiving treatment. Mesothelioma diagnosis can be made in various ways, including physical examination, laboratory tests and biopsy. A biopsy is a tiny sample taken from the tumor or mass to look for mesothelioma. The consequences of a mesothelioma diagnosis error can be very risky because it could delay treatment and deteriorate the prognosis. Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. Because of this, mesothelioma is often mistakenly diagnosed as a respiratory disease. The prognosis of mesothelioma varies on the type and stage along with the patient's age, general health and medical history. The cancer can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Palliative treatment can be offered to patients to manage 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 has already been spread to other parts of the body. A doctor will use their best judgment to determine the staging by taking into consideration the symptoms and how fast the cancer is growing. The rate of survival for mesothelioma is dependent on the stage and type, as well as the location of the cancer. The prognosis of those diagnosed with less frequent types of mesothelioma are less favorable. baldwin park mesothelioma attorneys suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma for example has a higher probability of living a longer life because it tends to grow slower in the abdomen than pleural mesothelioma can do in the chest. Patients who have an increased tolerance to treatment may also have a longer life span than those with a low tolerance. For instance, a few patients with peritoneal cancer have had good results after the combination of surgical removal, chemotherapy and radiation. Symptoms Asbestos fibers can create tumors within organs when swallowed, inhaled or inhaled. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in the lungs. However, it can also be found in the chest wall, abdomen, and testicles (in men). Mesothelioma symptoms generally don't appear until 40 to 50 years after exposure. The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma involves taking a review of your history regarding asbestos exposure. Your doctor will conduct an examination of your body and review your symptoms. A chest Xray can reveal abnormal swelling of the pleura or fluid that is located between the lung and the chest wall. A lung CT scan may also be used to detect mesothelioma and other cancers in the lungs. You may undergo blood tests to check on the health of your liver and kidneys. The doctor could request an chest MRI, or an PET scan, to look for other possible cancers or mesothelioma that is located in the lungs or the chest wall. If a biopsy is needed doctors can take a sample of the tumor using surgery or an instrument that is inserted through the chest wall while under local anesthesia. The doctor will then examine the area under the magnifying glass to determine whether it is malignant mesothelioma or a different kind of cancer. The results of these tests will allow doctors to determine the extent of the mesothelioma cancer following a mesothelioma. They will assign mesothelioma a staging number that is important in planning your treatment. Benign mesotheliomas aren't cancerous, and won't recur when they're completely removed surgically. They usually develop within the pleura and the abdominal lining. Mesothelioma of the pericardium is more difficult to treat because it affects the heart. It is also prone to recur following surgery. Mesothelioma is also able to spread to other parts of the body including the lymph nodes that are located outside the abdomen and chest. It can be hard to identify mesothelioma due the similarity of symptoms to other less serious diseases. This can result in incorrect diagnosis and delay treatment. A delay in treatment can cause complications and decrease your chance of survival.