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Mesothelioma Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma when they cause irritation to the tissue around many of your internal organs. The cancerous cells begin to grow. The most well-known mesothelioma type affects the lung's lining (pleura). Less-common forms affect the lining of the abdomen and the tissue around the testicles. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by examining a tissue or fluid sample for cancerous cells. They may also request imaging tests and blood work. Symptoms Mesothelioma can affect the linings of various organs. The symptoms differ based on the location of the tumor, such as in the pleura or peritoneum (lung lining) for pleural and peritoneal cancers. Fatigue, fever, and an unproven weight loss are common symptoms. Mesothelioma symptoms could also include pain and trouble breathing. A physical examination is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will ask about your prior exposure to asbestos, as well as any other factors that might increase the risk of mesothelioma. This includes any past history of asbestos exposure such as in shipbuilding, construction or manufacturing industries. In the majority of cases, mesothelioma is diagnosed through imaging scans of the chest or abdomen. These include X rays, CT scans (computer tomography) and MRIs (magnetic imaging). hammond mesothelioma lawsuit offer doctors to look the inside of your body, and look for mesothelioma or other lung tumors or stomach. X-rays will show an increase in the Pleura or a buildup of fluid in the space between your lungs and chest wall, which are common symptoms of mesothelioma pleural. They will also identify any fluid in the abdomen that is typically associated with mesothelioma peritoneal. Your doctor will request a biopsied if a mesothelioma tumor is discovered. During a biopsy your doctor will extract small amounts of tissue to test for mesothelioma. A surgeon can either insert an instrument into the tumor or perform the procedure surgically to remove the sample. For patients with pleural mesothelioma doctors drain the fluid in the chest cavity with pleurodesis, a procedure. This involves making a small cut within the abdomen or chest, and then using tubes to drain the fluid. Fluid buildup can cause difficulty breathing for patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma. Your doctor might try to stop the buildup of fluid in your pleura by insertion of an indwelling catheter or ultrasound-guided needle aspiration. In rare cases mesothelioma can spread to other areas of the body, causing symptoms like abdominal pain weight loss and trouble breathing. These are known as metastatic symptoms, because they occur outside of the original tumor. Diagnosis In most instances, doctors will perform a physical examination to look for signs such as chest pain and coughing. Patients are asked about their exposure to asbestos. They will then order imaging tests to look for lung tumors and abdomen. These could include X-rays CT scans magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or Postron emission Tomography (PET) scans. Because mesothelioma can be so rare, it can be hard for doctors to diagnose it correctly. Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as more common illnesses like pneumonia or bronchitis. This could delay treatment and lead to the disease to progress before it is properly diagnosed. Once doctors find a possible mesothelioma tumor, they will have to collect an in-person sample of the tissue or fluid for testing. These samples will confirm the nature of the cancer and if it has spread. The biopsy is one method doctors can collect samples of mesothelioma. These can be done by taking a small amount of tissue using surgery or by inserting a needle in the abdomen or chest to withdraw fluid. These samples will be evaluated for cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma the doctor discovers will help determine the most effective treatment options. Doctors may suggest lab tests to better understand the tumor. These tests can reveal particular proteins, genes or other factors that are specific to the tumor. The doctors also need to determine if the tumor has been able to spread. This is called staging. This allows them to determine the size of the tumor as well as whether it has spread. The doctor will go over the results with you after they are all in. You will also receive a prognosis. It is based on averages of mesothelioma sufferers with similar symptoms and staging. They will explain how the prognosis could change as the tumor grows, shrinks, or other treatments are used. If you have any concerns then seek an opinion from another doctor. This is an excellent way to make sure you receive the best care. Treatment The journey to a mesothelioma diagnosis is not over once you've been diagnosed. Treatment options are based on many factors including the type and grade of mesothelioma (how fast it grows). Doctors also take into consideration the person's age, general health and any other medical issues. It is often difficult to diagnose mesothelioma, because it is a rare disease. A combination of tests are often used to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, such as chest X-rays as well as CT scans. These imaging studies can reveal changes in the linings of the lungs and abdomen, like thickening of the pleura or accumulation of fluid. The blood tests can be done to check for high levels associated with mesothelioma. A biopsy is typically performed when mesothelioma is suspected. A biopsy is done by inserting a needle into the affected area and removing some of the tissue to be tested. A laboratory will analyze the tissue to determine whether it contains cancerous cells. If a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma pleural, doctors can eliminate the excess fluid through a procedure called Thorcentesis. Patients can also undergo pleurodesis which can help prevent the buildup of fluid in the future. Pleurodesis involves placing an incision into the chest to eliminate fluid. It is often combined with medications to decrease the chance that fluid will build up again. Radiation therapy is a different treatment for mesothelioma, and it can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with chemotherapy or surgery. Doctors can use traditional photon radiation or an advanced method known as intensity-modulated radiation therapy, which sends the radiation at different angles in order to limit the damage to healthy tissues. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells, and it can be used before or after surgery to make the procedure simpler. Patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma may also receive intraperitoneal chemotherapy which is heated and injected into the abdomen. Some people are eligible to participate in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatments. These are typically done at larger medical facilities and may offer the most promising outcomes. Mesothelioma can recur or recur after receiving treatment. The treatment options vary depending on the area of the recurrence, as well as the previous treatments. Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors such as the stage and type of cancer, overall health and age. It is also dependent on the extent to which the mesothelioma spreads and how much treatment will help in controlling symptoms. A doctor will conduct several tests to determine the prognosis for a mesothelioma patient, including imaging tests (a CT scan or X-ray) as well as blood tests, and a biopsy. A biopsy is the process of taking a small sample from the mesothelioma or tumor and examine it under an magnifying glass to detect cancerous cells. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, affects the organs' tissues, such as the lining of the abdomen, chest, and testes. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be shocking and trigger feelings of anger, shock and anxiety. It is important to discuss these feelings with a trusted family member, mesothelioma support group or mesothelioma lawyer. The outlook for mesothelioma patients can be improved if the condition is discovered in its earliest stages. If doctors can eliminate the tumor or a large portion of it, patients stand an increased chance of living being able to live for longer. Fitness is another aspect. The level of fitness is linked to better survival rates for mesothelioma patients. A person's blood chemistry can also play a role in their mesothelioma prognosis. The better the prognosis of a patient, the more normal their haemoglobin as well as white blood cell counts are. Mesothelioma can be treated even if it isn't in the point of critical. This can be done with radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgery. These treatments can make the cancer cells less likely to grow and spread. These treatments are not able to cure cancer. Many mesothelioma patients have outlived their initial prognosis. Some mesothelioma patients have lived for years or even a decade, after their diagnosis. Stephen Jay Gould, a paleontologist, survived peritoneal msothelioma 20 years ago. However, he passed away from cancer not linked to his mesothelioma.