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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesothelioma-related symptoms are first observed, doctors will conduct imaging scans to determine whether a patient is suffering from possible cancerous growths on their chest or abdomen. Mesothelioma signs can be mistaken for other illnesses such as pneumonia or lung cancer. A biopsy will be taken by the doctor to diagnose mesothelioma. There are three primary mesothelioma cell types classified as epithelial (epidermal), sarcomatoid (sarcoma) and biphasic. Each type responds to treatment differently and has a different impact on the length of life. Diagnosis If mesothelioma is suspected doctors will run several tests to confirm it. This may include chest X-ray, CT scans, and biopsies. The X-ray can show a build-up of fluid on one side of the chest. This is referred to as pleural effusion, and is often the first indication of mesothelioma. However, X-rays may not be the most reliable method to identify the disease. A chest CT scan is the next step. It creates a clear image of your lungs and organs. A doctor will inject you with a dye to highlight any areas that may be cancerous. During independence mesothelioma attorney , you'll be lying on a bed, and passed through a doughnut shaped scanner. The procedure is only about a minute and isn't particularly uncomfortable, even for those who are claustrophobic. In certain instances, a doctor might perform an MRI test. These scans produce high-quality images with radio waves and strong magnetic fields. An MRI can be used to determine if there is mesothelioma in the diaphragm and determine the stage of the disease. Certain patients may also undergo a PET scan. You will receive a radioactive dye during this test. Cancer cells absorb dye more than healthy cells, and they will appear brighter on the images. A biopsy is the most definitive test to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. A doctor will remove a small sample of the lining affected, which is then examined under a microscope, to determine if cancer cells are present. This can be done under local anaesthesia or by using a CT scan or a needle. If the biopsy confirms mesothelioma, your doctor will use the results of the other tests to determine the stage. This stage describes the extent of the mesothelioma, and what treatment is the best for you. Learn more about staging by reading the section in the guide titled Staging. Treatment There are many options for treatment for mesothelioma. Some can improve the quality of life and extend life for a longer amount of time than others. Patients with mesothelioma should discuss their goals and determine the best treatment option. Surgery is one of the ways to treat mesothelioma. Surgeons strive to remove any cancerous tissue during this procedure. If mesothelioma has progressed to an advanced stage doctors may not be able remove the tumor completely. However, surgeons can manage to reduce symptoms. The most common mesothelioma is found in the lining around the lung. In certain instances it is possible for a patient to develop mesothelioma that is located in the membrane around the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). In rare cases it is possible to suffer from mesothelioma that affects the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is treated with radiation and chemotherapy. These treatments are usually delivered by experts in mesothelioma at specific centers. Chemotherapy is a method of treatment that uses drugs to kill the mesothelioma cancer cells and stop their growth. Pemetrexed and cisplatin are common first-line combination of drugs for pleural mesothelioma. Radiation therapy employs high-energy beams to kill cancerous cell. This procedure is usually employed in conjunction with other mesothelioma therapies like surgery and chemotherapy. It is also a method to kill any remaining microscopic mesothelioma that surgeons did not remove during surgery. These treatments can trigger numerous adverse effects on mesothelioma patients. These include nausea, fatigue and hair loss. A mesothelioma expert can assist patients select the appropriate treatment for their specific requirements. They can also suggest other ways to help improve the quality of life of patients. This could include regular pleural drainage to help with breathing, or powerful painkillers. Patients should inform their doctors know about any other medications, including supplements, herbal remedies or over-the-counter drugs. This helps avoid risky interactions with these medications. Prognosis Mesothelioma, also referred to as mesothelioma of the pleural region is a cancerous tumor that affects the membrane that forms the internal cavities of our bodies like the chest cavity and abdomen. If a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma, cancerous cells can develop in the tissue, which can be spread to other parts of the body, causing symptoms like breathing difficulty or pain. A specialist doctor's diagnosis of mesothelioma is vital because it's the first step in receiving treatment. There may be multiple steps to determine if mesothelioma is present, which may include a physical examination along with lab tests and a biopsy. A biopsy collects a small sample of the tumor or mass in order to detect mesothelioma. A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma is extremely risky as it can delay treatment and even worsen the likelihood of a positive outcome. Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to detect, as the symptoms can be similar to lung cancer or other common ailments like pneumonia or bronchitis. Because of this, mesothelioma gets mistakenly identified as a respiratory issue. The prognosis for mesothelioma can vary by the type and stage of mesothelioma, as well depending on the patient's age and general health history. There is no cure for mesothelioma, however, the cancer can be controlled by surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Palliative treatment can be offered for patients to manage symptoms like fatigue, pain, and other symptoms. The mesothelioma staging stage of a patient refers to how the disease has progressed and how much of it has already been spread to other parts of the body. The doctor will apply his or their best judgment when determining the stage, taking into consideration the symptoms and the rate of growth of the cancer. The chance of survival for mesothelioma depends on the stage of the patient and kind of cancer and its location. The prognosis for those diagnosed with less frequent types of mesothelioma is lower. Patients with peritoneal msothelioma stand greater chances of living a longer life, as it grows more slowly in the abdomen as compared to mesothelioma pleural in the chest. Patients who have high tolerance to treatment may also live longer than those who have a low tolerance. People with peritoneal Msothelioma experienced good results when they combined chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Signs and symptoms Asbestos fibers may cause tumors in organs when they are inhaled, or swallowed. Mesothelioma most commonly occurs in the lungs. However it can also develop in the abdomen, chest, and testicles of men. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 40 to 50 years after exposure. The first step to determine if you have mesothelioma is taking a history of exposure to asbestos. Your doctor will conduct an examination and examine your symptoms. A chest X-ray may reveal abnormal thickening or fluid in the space that separates the lungs from chest wall. A lung CT scan may also be used to identify mesothelioma as well as other lung cancers. You could have blood tests to determine the health of your liver and kidneys. The doctor could request an chest MRI, or an PET scan to look for other possible cancers or mesothelioma within the lungs or the chest wall. If a biopsy is needed, doctors can take a sample of the tumor using surgery or by using a needle that is inserted through the chest wall while under local anesthesia. The doctor will examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine whether it is malignant mesothelioma, or another type of cancer. The results from the tests will assist doctors in determining the extent of mesothelioma after a diagnosis. They will assign mesothelioma a staging number that is important in the planning of your treatment. Benign mesotheliomas don't cause cancer and can't be regrown after they've been completely removed surgically. They typically develop in the abdominal lining or pleura. Mesothelioma of the pericardium is more difficult to treat due to the fact that it affects the heart. It can also recur following surgery. Mesothelioma could also spread to other parts of the body, like the lymph nodes or the bones that are outside the abdomen and chest. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other, less serious diseases. This can make it difficult to identify. This can result in confusion and delay treatment. A delay can lead to more complications and reduce your chances of survival.