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Mesothelioma Asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis may be similar. Both are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers and dust. Pleural mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy, surgery or radiation. Mesothelioma has four stages that indicate how the cancer has spread. Doctors utilize staging to determine the treatment options and expectations for life. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It is typically found in the linings of the lungs, the abdomen and chest cavity (pleura) but it can also affect the membranes that line the heart (pericardium) or abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma can be malignant. This means that it is able to expand and spread beyond the original site. The first symptom is typically a cough that doesn't produce phlegm. Other symptoms include breathlessness, weight loss and fatigue. Some patients may experience swelling or lumps on the abdomen. A patient's doctor may recommend a specialist if they are experiencing these symptoms. The specialist will conduct several tests to determine if mesothelioma or other cancers are the cause. Imaging scans are used to examine the abdomen, lungs or heart and perform biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. When it comes to pleural mesothelioma doctors have two surgical options: an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), which removes the cancer and a part of the lung affected, the diaphragm and a part of the lining of the heart; and a pleurectomy with pulmonary decortication (P/D) that removes the pleura but not the entire affected lung. Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. The first makes use of high-energy X radiation to destroy cancerous cells, while the second utilizes drugs like carboplatin or pemetrexed to kill cancerous cells or slow their growth. Patients should tell their doctor about any previous asbestos exposure. This is vital because mesothelioma is a cancer that can be diagnosed as early as 20 years after initial exposure. The doctor will ask about the frequency of exposure and the duration of exposure, as these factors can influence the development of symptoms. If your GP suspects that you are suffering from mesothelioma, they will request a CT scan in order to determine how far the cancer spreads throughout the body. If the mesothelioma has spread to the lungs, a bronchoscopy will be performed to examine the lungs' airways and lymph nodes. In certain cases the doctor might recommend an chest MRI or PET-CT scans to determine whether the cancer has developed into the heart. Diagnosis The most reliable method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is to obtain a biopsy or fluid sample. This sample is used by doctors to determine cancerous cells that are different from normal ones. A biopsy can be performed surgically or through the use of needles. To detect mesothelioma, doctors can use imaging tests like CT scans and x-rays. They can also conduct an positron-emission tomography (PET) scan (PET) which can be used to detect cancerous cells. Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms may be so similar to other conditions. The chest pain caused by mesothelioma can be mistaken as a heart disease or lung cancer. Pleural effusion, a condition caused by asbestos, can be mistaken for pneumonia or bronchitis. If doctors suspect that a patient has mesothelioma, they will inquire about the patient's prior exposure to asbestos and their symptoms. The doctor will also conduct physical examination and inquire about the medical history of family members. The doctor will then order blood and urine tests to determine the levels of certain proteins. These tests can be conducted in a hospital or at home. These tests can help doctors determine the amount of asbestos in the body as well as how well other organs function. They will also want to be aware of whether the patient has been through any surgeries previously. A chest xray and CT scan will also be done to look for signs of mesothelioma, like a thickening of the lining around the lung. Doctors will usually take an echocardiogram, which utilizes sound waves to produce an image of the heart if they suspect that a patient has pericardial cancer. In cases of pleural msothelioma an MRI scan could be beneficial, as it provides detailed images of the soft tissues. It is also possible to perform mediastinoscopy. This involves placing a tube with an imager and a light inside the chest to look at and sample lymph nodes in the center of the chest. This is especially beneficial in cases where mesothelioma has spread to these regions. Treatment Mesothelioma is a chronic respiratory illness that is slow to progress. However there are treatments available that can help you manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life. Doctors may use treatments, fluid drainage techniques, surgeries or a combination of these methods to relieve fatigue and lung pain. Doctors can also help patients cope with the loss of their normal energy levels and how it impacts their daily activities. The first step to treat mesothelioma is to find out if cancer cells are present. The best method for doing this is to take an examination. The biopsy will take a small portion of mesothelium. They then examine it under a microscope to determine whether there are any cancerous cells. A biopsy is typically performed by surgery, however, doctors may also perform the thoracentesis procedure. This involves inserting an needle through the chest to take out fluid samples for testing. After the test results are available the surgeon can decide to take out any parts of the body affected by the mesothelioma asbestosis. This is usually done for pleural but may also be done to treat peritoneal or peritoneal asbestosis. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lining (pleura) of the lung. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers are ingested and stuck in the digestive tract. Patients can take steps following surgery to increase their level of ease. This can be done by taking napping in the morning, planning trips to the store and other activities when you feel better and exercising. Patients can also inquire about clinical trials that are being conducted for the treatment of mesothelioma by speaking with their healthcare provider. These trials are studies of new mesothelioma treatments that are not yet approved by the FDA. Other treatments, such as radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, may be available. Chemotherapy is a method of killing cancer cells, while radiation and immunotherapy increase the body's natural defense system against the cancer. The term “targeted therapy” refers to the use of specific drugs to combat the weaknesses of mesothelioma cancer cells. Since each patient and situation is unique, it is important to discuss all treatment options with a mesothelioma expert. Prognosis A prognosis can be described as a rough estimate of the extent to which mesothelioma grows and the treatments available. It can also tell how long patients will have to live with mesothelioma. The general health of a patient can be an important factor in the likelihood of them surviving mesothelioma. People who are fitter and have better blood tests like a normal level of haemoglobin and higher platelet and white cell counts will have a higher chance of beating mesothelioma. They will also be better at enduring chemotherapy and surgery than those with poorer general health. Mesothelioma can be described as a highly aggressive cancer that is often a poor prognosis than other forms of cancer. newport news asbestos lawsuit is partly due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed later when the disease has already progressed. Mesothelioma is also a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. In some instances it could take years from the moment asbestos exposure occurs to when mesothelioma develops in a patient. There are two kinds of mesothelioma: pleural and peritoneal. Both are caused by exposure to asbestos. The mesothelial tissues that cover the majority of the internal organs of the body. The cancerous cells that cause mesothelioma pleural affect the membrane that surrounds the chest cavity. It can also affect the membranes that surround the heart (pericardium) or around the testicles. Asbestosis is not a type of mesothelioma, but it does exhibit similar symptoms to those of mesothelioma. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and it can lead to lung problems, including the development of scarring and stiffness of the lungs. Both mesothelioma as well as asbestosis can occur simultaneously. Only people who have been exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is most often found in the chest lining, abdomen and other organs. It is not a result of smoking cigarettes, and the majority of people with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos while at work. People who smoke or suffer from other illnesses like diabetes or heart disease may be more likely to develop mesothelioma over others.