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Mesothelioma Asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis may be similar. Both are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers as well as dust. Pleural mesothelioma can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. The four stages of mesothelioma indicate the extent of the cancer's spread. Doctors use staging in order to determine treatment options and life expectations. Symptoms Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It usually affects the lung lining as well as the chest cavity (pleura) however it can also affect the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or around the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma is malignant, meaning it is able to grow and spread beyond the site of origin. The first symptom of a non-phlegmatic cough is quite common. Other symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and weight loss. Some patients may experience lumps or swelling on the abdomen. A patient's doctor may refer them to a specialist if they are experiencing these symptoms. The specialist will perform several tests to determine if mesothelioma or other cancers are responsible for the. Imaging scans are used to look inside the abdomen, lungs or the heart, and then perform biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. When it comes to pleural mesothelioma, doctors have two primary surgical options which include an extrapleural phlemonectomy (EPP), which removes the tumour and part of the affected lung, as well as the diaphragm and a part of the lining of the heart and a pleurectomy accompanied by pulmonary decortication (P/D) that removes the pleura but not the entire lung affected. Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. The former directs high-energy X-rays toward cancer cells to destroy them, while the latter makes use of drugs such as pemetrexed and carboplatin to kill cancerous cells or slow their growth. Patients should inform their doctor about any history of asbestos exposure. This is important, as mesothelioma could develop for within a period of time of up to 20 years following the initial exposure to asbestos. The doctor will also ask about the frequency and duration of exposure as these can impact the development of symptoms. If your GP suspects that you have mesothelioma, they will request a CT scan in order to determine how far the cancer spreads throughout the body. If mesothelioma has spread to the lung, they'll perform a bronchoscopy examine the lungs' airways as well as lymph nodes. In some cases doctors may recommend a PET-CT or chest MRI scan to determine if cancer has developed to the heart. Diagnosis The best method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is by collecting samples of tissue or fluid. This sample is used by doctors to look for cancerous cells that differ from normal ones. A biopsy can be carried out surgically or through the use of a needle. Doctors may also utilize imaging tests like x-rays and CT scans to find mesothelioma. They may also do a positron-emission tomography scan (PET) which can be used to detect cancerous cells. Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms may be similar to other conditions. For example the chest pain that occurs with mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as lung cancer or heart disease. In addition asbestos-related diseases such as pleural effusion can be confused with pneumonia or bronchitis. If doctors suspect a person has mesothelioma, they will ask them about their past exposure to asbestos and the symptoms. The doctor will also conduct physical examination and inquire about the medical history of family members. The doctor will then conduct urine and blood tests to check for elevated levels of certain proteins. These tests can be performed in the hospital or at home. These tests will aid doctors in determining the amount of asbestos is present in the body and how well the organs are working. They will also want to know if the patient has had any prior surgeries. A CT scan and chest xray will be done to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors usually conduct an echocardiogram, a test that uses sound waves to create a picture of the heart, if they believe a person has pericardial cancer. In cases of pleural msothelioma an MRI scan could be beneficial because it gives detailed images of the soft tissues. Mediastinoscopy can be performed by inserting a tube with an imager and a light into the chest in order to look at and sample the lymph nodes close to the middle. This is particularly helpful if mesothelioma spreads to these areas. Treatment Mesothelioma is a respiratory disease that is slow-moving. However, there are treatments that can ease the symptoms and improve your quality of living. To alleviate the pain and fatigue in the lung doctors can prescribe medications, fluid draining techniques, or surgery. Doctors also can help patients cope with the loss of normal levels of energy and how this impacts their daily activities. wilmington asbestos attorney in treating mesothelioma is to determine whether cancerous cells are present. A biopsy is the most effective method to determine. In a biopsy, doctors will take a small piece of mesothelium for examination under a microscope. They will look for cancerous cells. A biopsy is usually performed by surgery, however, doctors can also perform the procedure known as thoracentesis. This involves inserting a needle into the chest in order to collect samples of fluid for testing. A surgeon might decide, following the test results have been confirmed to remove any affected parts of the body. This is most often performed to treat pleural mesothelioma however, it can be used to treat peritoneal cancer as well. Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining (pleura) of the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled and lodged in the digestive tract. After surgery, patients can make steps to increase their level of comfort. This can be done by taking breaks in the morning, planning trips to the grocery store and other activities for when you feel better and performing light exercises. Patients may also inquire with their physician about clinical trials for mesothelioma treatment. These trials are studies on new mesothelioma treatment options which aren't yet approved by the FDA. Other treatments could also be available, such as chemotherapy as well as radiation and immunotherapy. Chemotherapy is a method of killing cancer cells, whereas radiation and immunotherapy enhance the body's natural defense mechanisms against the cancer. Targeted therapy involves the use of specific medications to attack vulnerabilities within mesothelioma cancer cells. Since each patient and situation is unique, it's essential to discuss all treatment options with a mesothelioma specialist. Prognosis A prognosis is an estimate of how far mesothelioma is spreading and what the most effective treatment options will be. It can also tell patients how long they can expect to live after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. The health of the patient is a different factor in their mesothelioma prognosis. Healthier patients with better blood tests, like normal haemoglobin and higher white cell and platelet counts, will have a greater chance of being able to beat the cancer. They are also more able to tolerate chemo and surgery than those with lower general health. Mesothelioma can be described as a highly aggressive cancer that is often a poor prognosis than other types of cancer. This is partly because it is typically diagnosed later, once the disease has already spread to other parts of the body. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other illnesses which makes it difficult to diagnose. In certain cases it can take a long time from the point that asbestos exposure begins until the patient develops mesothelioma. There are two types of mesothelioma: peritoneal and pleural. Both are the result of exposure to asbestos. It is a kind of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells which cover most of the body's internal organs. The cancerous cells that cause pleural mesothelioma affect the membrane that surrounds the chest cavity. It can also affect the membranes that surround the heart (pericardium), or those around the testicles. Asbestosis is not a type of mesothelioma, but it does have similar symptoms as mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung issues including scarring and stiffness. Both asbestosis and mesothelioma can be present at the same time. Mesothelioma tumors are only seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos. It typically develops in the chest lining stomach, abdomen and other organs. It is not a result of smoking, and most people affected by mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos while at work. Smokers or suffer from other diseases such as heart disease or diabetes may be more likely to develop mesothelioma over others.