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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesothelioma symptoms are first observed, doctors will conduct imaging scans to determine whether the patient has potential cancerous growths in their chest or abdomen. Mesothelioma symptoms could be mistaken for other illnesses like lung cancer or pneumonia. A biopsy is performed by the doctor to diagnose mesothelioma. There are three major mesothelioma cell types: epithelial (epidermal) and Sarcomatoid (sarcoma) and biphasic. Each type responds to treatment differently and has a different impact on the life expectancy. Diagnosis Doctors may perform a variety of tests when mesothelioma is suspected. This may include chest X-ray, CT scans, and biopsies. The X-ray shows a build-up of fluid on one side of the chest. This is known as an effusion of the pleura and is usually the first indication of mesothelioma. However, X-rays may not be the most reliable way to diagnose the condition. The next step is a chest CT scan, which will give you a an exact picture of your lungs and other organs. A doctor will inject you with a dye to highlight any areas that might be cancerous. During the CT scanner, you'll be lying on a bed, and passing through a doughnut-shaped scanner. The procedure will take only just a few minutes and isn't terribly uncomfortable, even for people who are claustrophobic. In some instances the doctor may perform an MRI test. These scans produce high-quality images made of radio waves and powerful magnetic fields. An MRI can be used to identify mesothelioma of the diaphragm and determine its stage. arkansas mesothelioma attorney may also undergo an PET scan. You will receive a radioactive dye during this test. Cancer cells absorb the dye more than healthy cells, so they will show up more clearly on the pictures. A biopsy is the final test to confirm mesothelioma. A doctor will take an infected lining. It will be examined under a microscope to detect cancer cells. This can be done under local anaesthesia or by using the CT scan or a needle. Your doctor will use the results of the other tests to confirm that mesothelioma has been diagnosed. This stage describes the extent of the mesothelioma, and what treatment is best for you. You can find out more about staging by reading the section in this guide titled Staging. Treatment There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. Some can improve the quality of life and extend life for a longer period of time than others. Mesothelioma patients must discuss their goals with their medical team to determine the best method of treatment. Surgery is one option to treat mesothelioma. The surgeons attempt to eliminate all cancerous tissues during this operation. If mesothelioma is at an advanced stage it is possible that doctors will not be able to eliminate the cancer completely. In any case, surgeons can reduce the symptoms. The most commonly encountered mesothelioma form is mesothelioma that is found in the lining surrounding the lung. In certain instances it is possible for a patient to develop mesothelioma within the membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). In rare instances there is also the possibility that a person could suffer from mesothelioma of the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is treated using radiation and chemotherapy. These treatments are usually administered in mesothelioma clinics that are specialized by highly experienced mesothelioma experts. Chemotherapy, a treatment, uses drugs to kill the mesothelioma cancer cells and stop their growth. Pemetrexed and Cisplatin are the preferred first-line treatment for pleural mesothelioma. Radiation therapy employs high-energy beams to kill cancerous cells. This treatment is often combined alongside other mesothelioma treatments, like chemotherapy and surgery. This treatment can also be applied to any mesothelioma that is microscopic left behind by the surgeons following surgery. These treatments can have numerous adverse consequences for patients suffering from mesothelioma. The symptoms include nausea, fatigue and hair loss. A mesothelioma doctor can help patients choose the best medication to fit their individual requirements. They may also suggest other ways to improve a patient's quality of life. This could include regular lymphatic drainage to reduce breathing and strong painkillers. Patients should also ensure they inform their medical professional of any other medications they are taking such as supplements, herbs or over-the-counter drugs. This helps to avoid any dangers from interactions with these drugs. Prognosis Mesothelioma, also known as pleural mesothelioma is a tumor that causes cancer that affects the membrane that forms the cavities of our bodies like the chest cavity and abdomen. When a person gets mesothelioma malignant cells grow in the mesothelium and expand to other parts of the body which can cause symptoms such as breathing difficulties and pain. A specialist doctor's diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial because it's the first step in receiving treatment. There may be multiple steps to determine if mesothelioma is present, including a physical exam along with lab tests and a biopsy. A biopsy is a small sample taken from the tumor or mass to determine if mesothelioma is present. A misdiagnosis for mesothelioma may be dangerous as it can delay treatment or worsen the prognosis. Mesothelioma is difficult to identify due to the fact that its symptoms could be similar to lung cancer or other common ailments like pneumonia or bronchitis. Because of this, mesothelioma is frequently misdiagnosed as a respiratory condition. The prognosis of mesothelioma varies on the stage and type, along with the age, general health and medical history. There is no cure for mesothelioma, but the cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Patients can also receive palliative treatments to alleviate fatigue, pain and other signs. A person's mesothelioma stage refers to how the disease has advanced and how much of it has already moved to other areas of the body. A doctor will use their best judgment to determine the stage, taking into account the symptoms and the speed at which the cancer is growing. The chance of survival for mesothelioma is contingent on the patient's stage, the type of cancer, and the location. The prognosis of patients diagnosed with less common forms of mesothelioma is poorer. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, for example have a higher chance of surviving longer due to the fact that it is more likely to develop in the abdomen than pleural mesothelioma grows in the chest. Additionally, those with a high tolerance for treatment could live longer than patients with lower tolerance. Some people with peritoneal msothelioma were able to achieve good results when they combined chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Symptoms When asbestos fibers are swallowed or inhaled they adhere to the organ's lining, and cause them to grow into tumors. Mesothelioma usually occurs in the lung. However, it can also occur in the chest, abdomen and testicles of males. The symptoms of mesothelioma are usually not likely to develop until around 40-50 years after exposure. The first step in determining mesothelioma begins with taking a history of asbestos exposure. Your doctor will conduct physical examination and then examine your symptoms. A chest X-ray may reveal abnormal swelling of the pleura or fluid in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. A lung CT scan could also be used to test for mesothelioma or other types of cancer of the lungs. A blood test can be ordered to assess how your liver and kidneys are functioning. The doctor can also request a chest MRI or a PET scan to look for other mesothelioma-related cancers or mesothelio of the lungs, chest wall or abdomen. If an examination of the tumor is needed, doctors can remove it through surgery or by insertion of a needle through the chest wall while under local anesthesia. The doctor will examine the tissue under the magnifying glass to determine if this is malignant mesothelioma, or a different type of cancer. The results from the tests will assist doctors in determining the extent of the cancer after a mesothelioma diagnosis. They will assign a mesothelioma staging number that is useful in the planning of your treatment. Benign mesotheliomas aren't cancerous, and can't grow back after they've been completely removed surgically. They typically develop in the abdominal lining of the pleura. Because it affects the heart, mesothelioma that develops in the pericardium may be more difficult to treat. It is also possible to recur after surgery. Mesothelioma can also spread to other body parts such as the lymph nodes or bones that are located outside the chest and abdomen. It is sometimes difficult to determine if you have mesothelioma based on the similarity of symptoms with other conditions that are less serious. This can lead mistaken diagnosis, which can delay your treatment. In the meantime, delay in treatment can result in complications and lower the chances of surviving.