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Mesothelioma Cases

People diagnosed with mesothelioma should consult an expert. Doctors can offer a variety of treatment options depending on the location and size of the cancer.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are found in women and men who worked with asbestos materials. This includes miners, asbestos (Home Page) workers railroad workers, auto repair technicians, and shipyard workers.

Diagnosis

A mesothelioma diagnosis requires an array of testing methods. Doctors examine your medical history and perform an examination to look for signs. They also run tests for imaging and blood tests to diagnose mesothelioma. A tissue biopsy is the only way to make an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma however, it is usually not the first test doctors perform.

Mesothelioma is most common in the pleura, which is the lining around the lungs and asbestos the chest cavity. The most common sign of mesothelioma in the pleura is fluid buildup in the chest cavity, also known as pleural effusion. This can be seen on a chest X-ray or CT scan and helps doctors determine where to biopsy the affected area.

To perform a mesothelioma biopsies, doctors may use a needle or surgery to remove a small amount of the affected tissue. The biopsy is examined under microscope to determine whether the cells present in the sample are cancerous. Mesothelioma is classified into three types based on how the cells appear under a microscope: epithelioid, sarcomatoid and mixed (biphasic) mesothelioma.

Based on your symptoms and the type of mesothelioma you have, your doctor may recommend different blood tests or imaging scans. A complete blood count (CBC) examines the amount of red and white blood cells, as well as platelets. It can help doctors spot mesothelioma signs including the elevated levels of an enzyme known as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

An echocardiogram is a special kind of ultrasound that shows how well the heart functions. This can be used to diagnose pericardial msothelioma which affects the lining of the heart.

A chest CT scan is a non-invasive, painless scan that uses x-rays and computers to create images of your lungs and the tissues surrounding them. It can help doctors detect mesothelioma cancers and measure the thickness of the tissue.

A diagnosis of pleural mysothelioma could require a lung function test, or pulmonary function tests to determine how well the lungs are functioning. This is accomplished by using a flexible tube, known as a bronchoscope, inserted into the throat or mouth, and asbestos down the airway. The bronchoscope is equipped with an end-to-end camera and connects to an enormous screen so doctors can view the lungs and the surrounding areas. The test lasts between 30 and 60 minutes.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on where and what type of cancer it is. The majority of mesothelioma cases are pleural, which means they develop in the lining surrounding the lung (pleura). However, around 10 percent of cases are peritoneal which are found in the abdominal lining. Both types of mesothelioma result in difficulty breathing and coughing, abdominal or chest pain and fatigue.

Mesothelioma is a rare disease and many doctors may not be familiar with its signs and symptoms. Therefore, patients should bring a list of their symptoms to every appointment. They should also tell their doctor about any previous exposure to asbestos. This will help ensure that the patient receives an immediate diagnosis and treatment.

A doctor usually begins the mesothelioma treatment by asking about past exposure to asbestos and then conducting a physical exam. They will also order a chest X-ray and CT scan to determine if there is mesothelioma or other problems around the lungs and chest wall. A blood test can also be ordered to confirm the presence of certain antibodies that indicate mesothelioma or asbestos exposure.

A biopsy is done following the diagnosis of mesothelioma to examine tissue under a microscope and confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy can be performed using VATS surgery (a minimally-invasive procedure) or with the use of a CT guided needle aspiration.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include chest or back discomfort, breathing difficulties and dry throat. These symptoms are often mistaken for flu, bronchitis or pneumonia. A mesothelioma patient may also experience bloating or constipation, as well as an unidentified loss of weight. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling of the abdomen and the sensation of being full or an obstruction in the stomach. Other symptoms that may be experienced include an appetite loss, fever and tiredness. Mesothelioma symptoms can be extremely severe and life-threatening, particularly if it is at an advanced stage. Early detection is important to receive a fast mesothelioma diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as it is possible. Consult a mesothelioma specialist if you or someone you love has experienced symptoms of mesothelioma.

Treatment

The treatment options for mesothelioma are dependent on the type and the stage of cancer. Patients should choose mesothelioma specialists who are familiar with the disease and can discuss their treatment goals. This is known as shared decision-making.

A patient's physician will first conduct imaging tests, which could include chest X-rays. These tests can reveal changes to the lung's lining, such as thickening and fluid buildup. They can also determine if the mesothelioma has spread to other organs of the body. Other tests could include the use of a CT scan as well as an MRI and a PET (positron emission tomography) scan. Tests for blood can also identify the presence of certain chemicals linked to mesothelioma.

When mesothelioma is identified, doctors will order a biopsy. This involves removing a small sample of the lining to look at under a microscope for mesothelioma cells. Doctors can obtain a tissue sample through VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) which is a type of keyhole surgery. They can also perform a CT guided core biopsy, which makes use of a needle that is guided by images taken from an CT scan. A biopsy will determine the type of mesothelioma cell and can affect how the cancer responds to treatments. Epithelioid cells of mesothelioma respond better to treatment than mixed or sarcomatoid cell types.

The most popular treatments for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. These treatments can improve a patient's life expectancy by 30-40 percent. Doctors may recommend immunotherapy in some instances. These medications stimulate the body's immune system to attack cancer. These medications can be used with other treatments like chemotherapy and surgery.

Mesothelioma patients should consider joining a clinical trial, since it can result in more effective and novel treatments. Researchers conduct these trials to find new ways to treat the disease and improve patients' lives.

For those suffering from advanced mesothelioma goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and keep them under control. The symptoms may include pain, breathlessness and swelling. Breathing problems can be alleviated by surgical procedures like a drain for the pleura. The TTFields home treatment that is recommended for those who are not able to undergo surgery.

Prognosis

If doctors can determine the stage of a patient's mesothelioma they can formulate better treatment plans. The prognosis depends on the nature and location of the cancer, the part of the body it affects and the general state of a patient's health. Patients with more advanced mesothelioma could live less than a year after diagnosis, although treatments can extend survival.

Mesothelioma occurs when sharp, loose asbestos fibers irritate the linings of the lungs or abdomen. It can form as a single tumour or spread to adjacent tissues as it grows. In advanced stages, mesothelioma can cause fluid accumulation in the stomach or chest cavity and cause coughing or other respiratory problems, and abdominal pain, swelling and weight loss.

Doctors use a combination of procedures and tests to determine mesothelioma. They may perform a physical exam, take an in-situ sample of a mesothelioma tumor for testing and review a person's medical history. Patients with mesothelioma typically have an exposure history to asbestos which is the primary risk cause for the disease.

A biopsy is the most precise method of confirming mesothelioma. It takes fluids or tissue from a mesothelioma lawyer with cancer and then examines them for malignant cells. Doctors examine blood samples to determine whether mesothelioma has various kinds of cancerous cells. Epithelioid cell types are the most prevalent and respond well to treatment. Sarcomatoid cells, which are seen in less cases is more difficult to treat.

When diagnosing pleural mesothelioma, doctors may treat the buildup of fluid inside the chest cavity by performing the procedure known as a pleurodesis. This involves using an agent to damage the lung lining and stop the growth of fluid. They can also drain the fluid by using a tube placed in the chest (percutaneous thoracostomy).

Doctors cannot predict with certainty the life expectancy of peritoneal patients because this type cancer develops on the lining of the abdomen. However, peritoneal mesothelioma is responsive well to treatment and has a higher outlook than other types of mesothelioma, which tend to grow more rapidly.