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What is Mesothelioma?

The diagnosis of Mesothelioma can be an extremely devastating one. It's normal for people to be overwhelmed, confused, and upset.

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the pleura that is the lung's protective wall. The cancer causes the accumulation of fluid in the lungs which makes it difficult for the patient to breathe.

Asbestos exposure is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Anyone who has worked with asbestos or lived with someone who did are at risk.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the tissues' lining, called the mesothelium. The mesothelium liner protects your chest, heart, and abdomen, as well as most of your other organs. It is composed of two layers that create a sac around inner layer of your organs. It is separated by fluids to allow the organs to move easily. Mesothelioma cancer cell growth can destroy the tissue around them. They can also expand (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

People who are the most at risk of developing mesothelioma include those who have been exposed to asbestos while at work. Asbestos workers include builders, plumbers, electricians, welders, asbestos miners, auto industry workers, and many more. Workers who live or work near asbestos plants, such as factories and power plants, are also at higher risk. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have typically been exposed to asbestos for between 20 and 60 years before their illness appears.

Pleural mesothelioma is most often found in the lining of the lungs. This mesothelioma attorney type can cause chest pain, trouble breathing and weight loss. It is usually found in the lungs, but can also affect the heart or stomach. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare form of the disease that affects the lining in the abdominal cavity. It can cause pain and difficulty eating.

The pericardial mesothelioma as well as the tunica vaginalis are the two other forms of mesothelioma. They both develop in the tissue covering the linings of the abdomen, chest or testicles. These types of mesothelioma are not often diagnosed and have a less of a chance of survival than other types.

The mesothelioma treatment options depend on the nature and location of the cancer and the stage at which it was diagnosed and general patient health. Some patients can be successfully treated by undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Patients with mesothelioma that is more advanced may be offered experimental treatments like immunotherapy and gene therapy. In either case the treatment options available could significantly increase a person's duration.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, most commonly occurs in the linings of the chest cavity or abdomen. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, a heat - and fire-resistant mineral used in construction, asbestos insulation ships power generation, as well as home renovations prior to being banned in the 1970s. The main reason for exposure is working in the asbestos industry, but people who have cleaned up work clothing containing asbestos fibres or disturbed asbestos during home renovations are also at risk of developing mesothelioma.

The majority of patients suffering from mesothelioma suffer general symptoms like fatigue and weight loss and coughing that alters in intensity or pattern, and chest pain. These symptoms could be caused by a variety of illnesses, so patients should always consult their doctor about their symptoms. It is also important to tell their doctor if they have been exposed to asbestos.

In pleural asbestosis, symptoms are often caused by the tumor that causes fluid to build up in the region around the lungs. This build-up, known as a pleural effusion, causes pressure on the lungs, making breathing difficult. The amount of fluid within the pleural cavity plays a role in decreasing breathlessness.

Other symptoms of mesothelioma include the night sweats, a fever and abdominal pain. The body's temperature increases as it fights against the disease. This causes the fever. The body attempts to cool itself down by producing night sweats as a response to the fever. These symptoms are signs that cancer is getting worse and is causing stress to the body.

The less common mesothelioma symptoms are an abdominal swelling and fatigue, as well as difficulty walking. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue surrounding the heart that can cause chest pain as well as difficulty breathing. Mesothelioma may also grow in the membrane that surrounds the testicles. This can lead to swelling or lumps.

Since mesothelioma is a rare disease, it can be difficult to detect early. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other diseases and are often mistaken for a pneumonia or a flu. Mesothelioma can last for up to years before symptoms are identified.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify. Before diagnosing mesothelioma, doctors need to exclude any other diseases that have similar symptoms. After they have done this, they can determine the best treatment option for you.

The first step for mesothelioma diagnosis is to have your doctor ask about your symptoms and conduct a an examination. Your doctor might also recommend blood tests to see how your organs are working. One of these tests is a complete blood count (CBC) which looks at the number of red and white blood cells, how well your liver and kidneys are working, and other vital information. Mesothelioma cells often show up in these blood tests, however they are difficult to identify because they appear like normal cells.

If your doctor suspects you have mesothelioma, they will likely order imaging tests to determine the location and extent of any growth or fluid in the abdomen or lungs. The most commonly used test is a chest x-ray. If the test does not detect any abnormalities, the doctor may order more detailed tests, such as an CT or MRI.

These tests offer high-resolution images of the body through radio waves and powerful magnets to create high-quality images. They can detect fluid and thickening in the pleura or peritoneum which could be a sign of mesothelioma. A CT scan can reveal other health issues, such as pneumonia or a lung infection.

Doctors may get a better idea of the type of mesothelioma that you have by examining a sample of your tissue taken during a biopsy. This is the only method to identify mesothelioma. The samples are then examined under a microscope to determine the mesothelioma's cell type, and how far the cancer has been able to spread.

Certain doctors may also inject dye into a vein or perform other tests to pinpoint the region in which the cancer is. This is referred to as staging mesothelioma and helps doctors determine how far the cancer has spread.

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is a result of the lung's lining cells and organs. These cells can grow beyond their limits, and eventually form tumors (masses). The cancer spreads because cells aren't able to respond to signals that prevent their growth from speeding up. It may also infiltrate the blood vessels that provide oxygen to the lung. This can cause breathing difficulties and a cough.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of an individual's symptoms and history of asbestos exposure. They may also order imaging tests and other laboratory tests to help find and identify tumors. Chest Xrays, for instance are a way to examine lung conditions, such as pleural thickening and pleural effusion (fluid build-up). They may also order CT scans, asbestos an MRI and a PET scan to see where the tumors are located and determine how far mesothelioma is spreading. They may also take samples of the fluid surrounding the lungs, called a thoracentesis to check for mesothelioma tumors and to ease pressure on the lungs caused by fluid accumulation.

Once mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can determine the best treatment to manage the disease. It is important to discuss the treatment options with your mesothelioma physician. Some patients want aggressive treatment to extend their life and improve survival, while others prefer a less-intensive approach to reduce pain, nausea and other adverse effects.

Mesothelioma treatments can include radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. The type of treatment one receives is determined by the stage of their mesothelioma, and whether or not it's composed of epithelioid or sarcomatoid cells. Epithelioid cells are simpler to remove surgically, and they have better outcomes than the sarcomatoid cells. Certain patients suffer from a combination of both types and have a worse outcome than those who have only epithelioid cancer.

It is important to visit your mesothelioma specialist regularly after completing the treatment. This will keep the cancer from recurring. If it occurs again in the future, your mesothelioma specialists will create an entirely new treatment strategy.

Some patients with mesothelioma are enrolled in clinical trials to test new treatments. Clinical trials allow patients access to cutting-edge treatments that are not yet approved for use in general.