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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines the chest cavity, lungs, and, in rare instances, the linings of the abdomen and the heart. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers become stuck in tissues and cause DNA damage. The result is that cells transform into mesothelioma cancer cells. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects tissues that line and protect the organs within the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to change and form mesothelioma tumors. The majority of cases of mesothelioma occur in the lungs (pleura). It can also be found in the linings of the heart, abdomen and testicles. The most frequent mesothelioma-related symptoms are shortness of breath as well as chest pain and coughing. In addition certain patients experience abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms can be confusing and difficult to recognize in the beginning particularly when mesothelioma still a relatively new condition. It could take several years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma-related symptoms to manifest. The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam and a medical history. A doctor may request blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography). X-rays may reveal an unusual lump or a fluid that is present in the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine the nature and location of the mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid are the two main types. Epithelioid mesothelioma makes up around 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is less common, and has a worse prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma. The majority of people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough as well as chest wall pain, and trouble breathing. People with pleural mesothelioma can have an abnormal heart sound or a condition known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum. The most accurate method to diagnose mesothelioma involves an examination of the tissues. The type of mesothelioma determines the method used by a doctor to treat the illness. If a patient has pericardial cancer doctors will drain the excess fluid through the procedure known as pleurodesis or insert the pleural catheter to reduce inflammation and improve respiration. Other options include chemotherapy and surgery. Diagnosis Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is found in the linings of organs known as the mesothelium. The majority of cases occur in the lung (pleura) but it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis). The signs of mesothelioma may be noticed between 10 and 50 years after the initial exposure. Due to this time of latency, many patients can be incorrectly diagnosed. wichita asbestos attorney is often misdiagnosed as other, less serious conditions, such as pneumonia or the flu. This mistake could cause delays in treatment, which could reduce the chance of a patient's survival. Those who suspect that they might have mesothelioma must visit their doctor right away. During the initial visit, doctors examine the medical history of a patient to determine if there are any signs or symptoms that increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes any past exposure to asbestos, as well as the nature and duration of the exposure. The next step is to have doctors conduct imaging tests to examine the chest and abdomen for signs of mesothelioma and other abnormalities. Chest X rays, CT scans, and MRIs can all reveal changes in the lungs, such as an increase in pleural thickness or accumulation of fluid. They can also tell if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other areas of the body. A doctor might also recommend a test of the blood to determine if a patient has high levels of certain substances that are linked to mesothelioma. They may also perform a procedure called the thoracentesis. This involves removing a sample of the lungs' fluid to check for cancerous cells. If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed the biopsy procedure will be taken to check a small piece of the tumor to detect cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a needle guided CT scan can be used to perform this procedure. The results will help determine which mesothelioma treatments are most suitable for the patient. This can include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Some patients might also opt to participate in immunotherapy. This latest form of treatment can improve a patient's prognosis and boost their quality of life. Treatment Mesothelioma affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart or testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Although mesothelioma cannot be cured but treatment can help manage symptoms. Your doctor will ask you about your health history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your exposure to asbestos, as it is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the tissues of the chest cavity the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). In time, this causes inflammation, and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Blood tests and imaging tests can be used to detect mesothelioma. Your healthcare provider uses a chest X ray to determine if you have fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will order an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET), to get detailed images. They will also do an incisional needle biopsy to collect an in-situ sample of the affected tissue. A pathologist, a mesothelioma expert, will analyze the tissue with a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cells and determine the kind. To make the diagnosis, the pathologist will stain the sample using a dye which shows up when certain types of protein are present. The doctor will then employ an instrument to magnify the tissue. It can be difficult to determine if you have mesothelioma as the mesothelioma-causing cells are similar to other types of cells in the body. Your healthcare team will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. This includes a blood test to determine the levels of fibulin-3 as well as mesothelin-related peptide that is soluble. Your medical team will choose a mesothelioma treatment plan depending on the kind of cancer you have and the degree to which it is advanced. The most popular mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Palliative treatment may be offered in the event that your mesothelioma has progressed to an advanced stage. This will relieve your pain and other symptoms. Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma varies on the type and stage of cancer, and other factors, such as the patient's age and general health. Patients should work with skilled doctors to know more about their treatment options. Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that line vital organs and protect them. These asbestos fibers can be breathed in or ingested and, in time, cause inflammation and genetic changes that transform normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most common mesothelioma forms are pleural mesothelioma that occurs in the lung lining and the chest cavity (pleura), as well as peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer form that develops in the lining of the abdomen. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using symptoms, laboratory tests and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue to be tested. Doctors then compare the samples of the biopsy to a database to determine the most likely mesothelioma cell type. This information can help them predict the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan. The three types of mesothelioma are epithelioid, epithelial or epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma kind develops at different rates and responds to treatment in a different way. Epithelioid cancer makes up 60 to 80 percent of all cases, and has a higher survival rate than biphasic or sarcomatoid mesothelioma. It could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to be diagnosed following exposure to asbestos, which is why many patients do not be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they show signs of. Asbestos sufferers should report their exposure to a doctor and undergo periodic checkups. During these visits, doctors check for signs of asbestos exposure such as scarring on the lungs, as well as other respiratory problems. They can also perform simple blood tests to assess the overall health of a patient. If the results indicate that the patient is at a high risk for mesothelioma, they can schedule further tests to receive an outlook. This will include imaging exams like X radiographs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, along with the lung function test or chest MRI, or PET scan.