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A specialist should be consulted by anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma. Doctors can offer a variety of treatment options based on the location and size of the cancer.

Women and men who have worked with asbestos are most likely to develop mesothelioma. This includes asbestos workers, miners, railroad, auto repair and shipyard workers.

Diagnosis

A series of tests are necessary to determine if you have mesothelioma. Doctors look over your medical history and perform physical examinations to check for signs. They also conduct tests for imaging and blood tests to diagnose mesothelioma. A tissue biopsy is the only sure method of making a mesothelioma diagnosis, Asbestos lawsuit but it is often not the first test that doctors do.

Mesothelioma is most common in the pleura, or lining that surrounds the lungs and the chest cavity. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma pleural is the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity, known as pleural effusion. This can be seen in a chest CT scan or Xray. It aids doctors in determining the best place to biopsy.

A mesothelioma biopsy can be performed by a doctor by using a needle or by surgery. The biopsy is then examined under microscope to determine whether the cells found in the sample are cancerous. The mesothelioma cells are classified into three distinct kinds, based on their appearance under a microscope. These include epithelioid (epidermoid), the sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) and mixed (biphasic).

Depending on your symptoms and the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from, your doctor may suggest different types of tests for blood or imaging scans. A complete blood count (CBC) is a test that measures red and white blood cell levels, as well platelets, is a valuable test. It can help doctors identify signs of mesothelioma like increased levels of an enzyme known as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

An echocardiogram is a special type of ultrasound that can show how the heart functions. It is commonly used to detect pericardial mesothelioma which affects the lining the heart.

A chest CT scan makes use of x-rays, computers, and a software to create an image of your lung. It can help doctors detect mesothelioma tumors and asbestos lawsuit determine the thickness of tissue.

To diagnose pleural mesothelioma a lung function test or pulmonary function test could be needed to determine how well the lungs function. This is done by having a flexible tube, known as a bronchoscope, inserted into the mouth or throat and down the airway. The bronchoscope is equipped with a camera and may be connected to a huge monitor that allows doctors to observe the lungs and the surrounding area. The test lasts between 30 minutes and 60 minutes.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary according to the location and kind of cancer it is. Most mesothelioma cancers are in the pleural (meaning they are found in the lining of lung). However, about 10% of cases are peritoneal, which are found in the lining of the abdomen. Both types of mesothelioma can cause chest pain, fatigue and chest pain and breathing difficulties.

Mesothelioma is a rare illness and many doctors may not be familiar with its signs and symptoms. For this reason, patients should bring a list with their symptoms to every appointment and inform their doctor about any history of exposure to asbestos. This will ensure that the patient receives a timely diagnosis.

A doctor will typically begin the mesothelioma treatment by asking about past exposure to asbestos and performing a physical exam. A chest X-ray or CT scan is ordered to determine if mesothelioma is present and other lung problems or chest wall. A blood test can also be required to determine the presence of antibodies that suggest asbestos or mesothelioma exposure.

If mesothelioma is identified and a biopsy is performed to examine tissue under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy can be carried out by VATS surgery, which is a minimally invasive procedure, or by a CT-guided needle aspiration.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are back or chest pain, difficulty breathing and dry throat. These symptoms can be mistaken for the flu, bronchitis, or lung cancer. In addition, a mesothelioma patient may feel constipated, bloated and unintentional weight loss. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdomen, swelling and a feeling of fullness or an obstruction in the stomach. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever and a loss of appetite. Mesothelioma can cause severe symptoms and may even cause death, particularly if it is at an advanced stage. Early detection is important to get a mesothelioma treatment diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible. If you or someone close to you is suffering from mesothelioma symptoms contact a mesothelioma specialist today.

Treatment

The mesothelioma treatment options depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Patients should seek out a mesothelioma specialist who is familiar with the disease and can discuss their needs for treatment. This is known as shared decision-making.

A patient's physician will first conduct imaging tests, which could include chest X-rays. They can reveal changes in the lung lining, including thickening or fluid build-up. They can also show whether the mesothelioma has spread to other organs of the body. Other tests could include an CT scan or an MRI and an PET (positron emission tomography) scan. Blood tests can detect high levels of certain chemical linked to mesothelioma.

When mesothelioma is identified doctors will request an examination. A small portion of the lining is removed to be examined under a microscope. Doctors can obtain an organ sample using VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) which is a form of keyhole surgery, or by using CT-guided core biopsies, which uses a needle guided by images taken of the CT scan. A biopsy can be used to determine the type of cells in mesothelioma. This will impact the way in which the cancer responds. Epithelioid mesothelioma cells are the most responsive to treatment, whereas sarcomatoid and mixed cell types are not.

The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These treatments can prolong the lifespan of a patient by 30-40 percent. In certain instances, doctors may recommend immunotherapy. These drugs boost the body's immune system to fight off cancer. They can be used in combination with other treatments, like chemotherapy and surgery.

Mesothelioma patients should always consider taking part in a clinical trial as this can result in more effective and novel treatments. Researchers conduct these trials to find new ways to treat the disease and improve the quality of life for patients.

For patients suffering from advanced mesothelioma aim of treatment is to reduce symptoms and keep them under control. These symptoms include pain, breathlessness and swelling. Breathing problems can be alleviated by surgical procedures like drainage of the pleura. For people who cannot undergo surgery, an at-home treatment such as TTFields may be recommended.

Prognosis

If doctors can determine the stage of a patient's mesothelioma they can formulate better treatment plans. The prognosis depends on the type and location of the cancer, what part of the body it affects and the general state of the patient's health. Patients with advanced mesothelioma can live less than a year after diagnosis. Treatments can prolong the duration of survival.

Mesothelioma develops when sharp, loose asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the lungs or abdomen. It can form as a single tumour or spread to adjacent tissues as it grows. In advanced stages, mesothelioma can cause fluid to accumulate in the stomach and chest cavity and cause coughing, other respiratory problems, abdominal pain, swelling, and weight loss.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using the combination of tests and procedures. They may conduct an examination, collect samples of mesothelioma cancer for testing and look over a person's medical history. Mesothelioma patients typically have a history involving asbestos lawsuit (sites) exposure which is a major risk factor for the disease.

The most accurate way to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is through a biopsy, which is the process of removing tissue or fluid from a mesothelioma to examine it for malignant cells. Doctors also examine the blood samples to determine if the mesothelioma has different types of cells. The most frequent cells are epithelioid, which respond well to treatment. Sarcomatoid cell, which show up in fewer cases and are more difficult to treat.

When a patient is diagnosed with pleural msothelioma doctors may treat the buildup of fluid in the chest cavity with the procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves using a chemical to scar the lung lining and stop the accumulation of fluid. They can also flush the fluid using an instrument placed inside the chest (percutaneous thoracostomy).

Doctors cannot predict with certainty the lifespan of patients with peritoneal cancer because the cancer of this type develops on the lining of the abdomen. The prognosis for peritoneal cancer is much better than that of other types, since it responds to treatment well and spreads less quickly.