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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues lining the lungs and chest cavity, and in rare cases the lining of the abdomen and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the principal cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers may get stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. This changes cells into mesothelioma cancer cells. Symptoms Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect the organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause the cells to change and develop into mesothelioma tumors. Most cases of mesothelioma are located in the lungs. It can also be found in the linings of the abdomen, heart and testicles. Chest discomfort and coughing are the most common symptoms of mesothelioma. Patients may also feel abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms can be confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning, especially when mesothelioma is still a relatively new condition. The symptoms of mesothelioma could not appear for years or even decades following asbestos exposure. A physical examination and health history of the patient are the first steps in determining mesothelioma. To determine the severity of symptoms the doctor can order tests for blood and imaging scans. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography). X-rays can reveal a mass or fluid that is not normal in the lung. These scans may help the doctor determine where the mesothelioma is and the kind of mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two main kinds. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for around 70% of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is less prevalent than epithelioid. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough as well as chest wall pain and difficulty breathing. In some cases, a person with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur, an issue called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis). The most effective method to identify mesothelioma is to take a biopsy of tissue. The type of mesothelioma determines how a doctor will treat the condition. For instance when a patient has pericardial mesothelioma doctors may drain excess fluid with pleurodesis procedure or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other options include chemotherapy and surgery. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the organ's linings called the mesothelium. The majority of the time, the disease develops in the lung (pleura) but it may also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis). The signs of mesothelioma may appear between 10 and fifty years after the initial exposure. Due to this time of latency, many patients are misdiagnosed. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious illnesses like the flu or pneumonia. This mistake can result in delays in treatment, which can decrease the chance of surviving. Anyone who suspects that they might have mesothelioma must see their doctor immediately. In the initial visit, doctors will examine a patient's complete medical history to look for symptoms and any factors that might make them more susceptible to mesothelioma. This includes past asbestos exposure and the type and duration. The doctor will then order imaging tests of the chest and abdomen to look for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays CT scans, and MRIs can all show changes in the lungs, such as pleural thickness or fluid accumulation. They can also tell whether mesothelioma has spread other parts of the body. A doctor might also recommend a test of the blood to determine whether a patient has elevated levels in certain substances linked to mesothelioma. They may also carry out an operation called a thoracentesis which involves taking out the lungs of fluid and examining the lungs for cancerous cells. If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed the biopsy procedure will be performed to examine a small piece of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be done using VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments) or by using the use of a needle that is guided by the aid of a CT scan. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are most suitable for the patient. This may include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients might also opt to participate in immunotherapy. This newer type of treatment can enhance the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life. Treatment Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line and protect organs, like the lung (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is not possible to cure mesothelioma but treatment may help control symptoms. Your doctor will inquire about your health background and will look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask you about asbestos exposure because it is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the lining of the chest cavity, tummy or heart (mesothelium). As time passes, this causes inflammation and changes normal cells into cancerous ones. Mesothelioma is diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests. Your doctor uses an X-ray of the chest to determine if you have an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). The doctor will recommend MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to get detailed images of the affected area. They may also perform a needle biopsy to obtain a sample of the affected tissue. A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will study the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope in order to find cancerous cells and determine what type of mesothelioma you suffer from. To establish the diagnosis the doctor will stain the tissue sample with a dye that lights up when certain kinds of proteins are present. They will then use a specific method to obtain an even closer view of the tissue under the microscope. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the mesothelioma-causing cells look similar to those of other types of cells within the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma using other tests. They may use blood tests to measure levels of fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related, soluble peptide. Your medical team will decide on the mesothelioma treatment plan based on the kind of cancer you have and the degree to which it is advanced. The most commonly used mesothelioma treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is at an advanced stages you could also receive palliative treatment to relieve discomfort and other signs. Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma varies on the type and stage of cancer, as well as other factors such as the patient's age as well as general health. Patients should consult with doctors who are skilled to find out about their treatment options. Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers cause damage to the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation, which transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most common mesothelioma forms are pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lung lining and chest cavity (pleura) as well as mesothelioma peritoneal, a less common form that develops in the protective lining of the abdomen. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on symptoms, lab 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 examined. The doctors can compare the biopsy samples with a database in order to determine the most likely type of mesothelioma cells. This information can help them predict a patient's mesothelioma life expectancy and treatment plan. The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and epithelial, epithelial cells, sarcomatoid cells and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma forms at a different rate and responds differently to treatment. pasadena asbestos lawyer is responsible for 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a higher survival rate than biphasic mesothelioma or sarcomatoid. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed up to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Many patients don't receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they show severe symptoms. Asbestos exposure should be disclosed to a doctor and the victims must undergo regular checks. During these visits doctors can check for signs of asbestos-related exposure, such as scarring around the lungs or other respiratory problems. They can also perform a simple blood check to determine the health of the patient. If the results indicate that a patient's risk for mesothelioma is very high, they can schedule further tests to receive mesothelioma-related prognosis. This may include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound, as well as lung function tests, and a chest MRI or PET scan.