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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity, lungs and, in rare instances, the tissues of the heart and abdomen. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers can get stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. This causes cells to transform into mesothelioma cancer cells. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause these cancerous cells to develop into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in the lungs. It can also occur in the tissues of the abdomen, heart and testicles. The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath as well as chest pain and coughing. In addition certain patients are suffering from abdominal pain as well as fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. These symptoms can be a bit confusing and difficult to identify in the early stages particularly when mesothelioma still a relatively new disease. The symptoms of mesothelioma may not manifest for years or even decades after asbestos exposure. A physical exam and a medical history of the patient is the first step to diagnose mesothelioma. To determine the severity of symptoms, a doctor may order blood tests and imaging scans. These scans could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRI and PET (positron emission tomography). X-rays can reveal a strange mass or fluid in the lung. These scans aid the doctor determine the type and location of the mesothelioma. The two most common types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Around 70% of mesothelioma are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a lesser-known type and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma. Most people diagnosed with pleural melanoma suffer from a nonproductive cough as well as chest wall pain, and difficulty breathing. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart tone, a condition called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum. The best way to accurately identify mesothelioma is to take the taking of a biopsy of the tissue. The type of mesothelioma determines the way a doctor treats the illness. For long beach asbestos law firm , if a person has mesothelioma pericardial the doctor could drain excess fluid with a procedure called pleurodesis or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy. Diagnosis The mesothelioma-related cancer develops on the linings of the organs. The disease is most common in the lungs. However, it can also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes. It takes between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma or mesothelioma onset. Because of this time period of latency many patients are incorrectly diagnosed. It is often misinterpreted as other, less serious diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. This mistake could lead to a delay in treatment, which can decrease the chances of survival for a patient. Those who suspect mesothelioma should consult their physician as soon as they can. During the initial appointment, doctors will review the medical history of a patient in order to identify any signs or symptoms that may increase their risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes past asbestos exposure and the kind and duration. 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 can all reveal changes in the lungs, like the thickness of the pleural wall or the accumulation of fluid. They can also show if mesothelioma has spread to other organs of the body. A doctor may also recommend a blood test to see whether the patient has elevated levels of certain substances that are associated with mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation known as a thoracentesis which involves removal of lungs of fluid and looking for cancer cells. If a mesothelioma is confirmed, a biopsy is performed to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or a needle-guided CT scan may be used to perform this procedure. The results of this will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment option for the patient. This could include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Some patients will also opt to undergo immunotherapy. This latest mesothelioma treatment could improve the quality of life for patients and improve their outlook. Treatment Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the tissues that line and protect organs, including the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart or testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). It is not possible to treat mesothelioma completely, however treatment can help manage symptoms. Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and search for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will inquire about asbestos exposure since it is the leading mesothelioma risk factor. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to be trapped in the linings of the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach or heart. As time passes this causes inflammation and changes normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed using blood tests and imaging tests. Your doctor will make use of an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue and determine if you suffer from fluid build-up (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will request an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) to obtain detailed images. They may also perform a needle biopsy to obtain an in-situ sample of the affected tissue. A mesothelioma specialist called a pathologist will look at the mesothelioma tissues under a microscope to identify cancerous cells and determine the type of mesothelioma you suffer from. To make the diagnosis the doctor will stain the tissue sample with a dye that lights up when certain kinds of proteins are present. The doctor will then use a technique to magnify the tissue. Mesothelioma may be difficult to recognize because the mesothelioma cells look similar to other kinds of cells found in the body. Your healthcare team will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by other tests. These tests include the collection of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3, or soluble mesothelin related peptide. Your medical team will decide on mesothelioma treatments based on the kind of cancer you have and how advanced it is. The most popular mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stages you could also receive palliative care to ease pain and other symptoms. Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma varies on the type and stage of cancer, in addition to other factors, such as the patient's age as well as general health. Patients should consult with knowledgeable doctors to find out more about the treatment options available to them. Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that line vital organs and safeguard them from harm. These asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested and, over time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most frequent mesothelioma variants are pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lung lining and the chest cavity (pleura) and peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer type that is found in the lining of the abdomen. The doctor diagnoses mesothelioma based on symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend an examination to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal a small piece of tissue to be tested. Doctors can then compare biopsy samples to databases to determine the most likely mesothelioma-related cell type. This information can be used to predict the life expectancy of a person with mesothelioma and their treatment plan. The mesothelioma types are epithelioid and epithelial, epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells, and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma kind develops at a different rate and responds to treatment in a different way. Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 60% to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma. It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma develop after exposure to asbestos. Therefore, many patients don't be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they begin to experience serious symptoms. Asbestos sufferers should report their exposure to a doctor and be checked regularly. During these visits, doctors can examine for signs of exposure to asbestos, such as scarring around the lungs, or other respiratory issues. They can also conduct simple blood tests to assess a patient's overall health. If the results show that an individual is at a an increased risk of mesothelioma, they can schedule additional tests to receive a prognosis. This may include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound and a lung function test and a chest MRI or PET scan.