Mesothelioma Cases A specialist should be consulted by anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma. Based on the location of the tumor and how much it has spread, doctors can provide patients with a variety of treatments. Men and women who have been exposed to asbestos are more likely develop mesothelioma. These include miners, insulation workers railway and auto repair workers and shipyard workers. Diagnosis A series of tests are required to diagnose mesothelioma. Doctors look at your medical history and perform physical examinations to check for symptoms. They may also use blood markers and imaging tests to diagnose mesothelioma. A tissue biopsy is the only sure way to make an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma however, it is usually not the first test that doctors perform. The majority of mesothelioma is found in the pleura or the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Pleural effusion is the most common symptom for pleural cancer. This can be seen on the chest CT scan or Xray. It helps doctors determine the best location to biopsy. A biopsy of mesothelioma can be taken by a doctor with a needle, or by surgery. The biopsy is then looked at under a microscope to determine whether the cells are cancerous. The mesothelioma-related cells are classified into three distinct types, based on their appearance under microscopes. They are epithelioid (epidermoid), the sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) and mixed (biphasic). Based on the type of mesothelioma and the symptoms you are experiencing, doctors can recommend a variety of scans or blood tests. A complete blood count (CBC) examines the amount of red and white blood cells as well as platelets. It can help doctors spot mesothelioma-related signs, such as increased levels of an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). An echocardiogram is a special kind of ultrasound that shows how the heart functions. This is often used to detect pericardial mesothelioma which is a disease that affects the lining of the heart. A chest CT scan is a non-invasive, painless scan that utilizes x-rays as well as a computer to create a picture of your lungs as well as the tissues that surround them. It can help doctors identify mesothelioma tumors and determine how thick the tissue is. To determine if you have pleural mesothelioma lung function or pulmonary function test might be necessary to determine the efficiency of the lungs. A flexible tube called a bronchoscope is put into the throat or mouth and then down the airway. The bronchoscope is fitted with a camera and can be connected to a large monitor so that doctors can see the lungs and the surrounding area. The test usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. Symptoms The symptoms of mesothelioma can differ based on the type and location of the cancer. The majority of mesothelioma tumors are pleural (meaning they are found within the lining of the lungs). About 10 percent of mesothelioma cases are peritoneal and develop in the lining surrounding the abdomen. Both mesothelioma types can cause breathing difficulties, coughing, abdominal or chest discomfort and fatigue. Mesothelioma is a rare condition and many doctors aren't familiar with its symptoms and signs. Patients should bring a detailed list of symptoms to every appointment and inform the doctor of any history of exposure to asbestos. This will ensure that the patient gets an immediate diagnosis and treatment. A doctor will make with a diagnosis of mesothelioma asking about previous asbestos exposure and then performing a physical examination. The doctor may also recommend a chest Xray and CT scan to check for mesothelioma, or other issues that affect the lungs and chest wall. A blood test can also be ordered to check for the presence of certain antibodies that may indicate asbestos exposure or mesothelioma. A biopsy is done following the diagnosis of mesothelioma to examine tissue under a microscope and confirm a diagnosis. A biopsy can be performed by VATS surgery, which is a minimally invasive procedure, or by the CT-guided needle aspiration. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include back or chest discomfort, breathing difficulties and a dry throat. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as pneumonia, bronchitis, or flu. Additionally mesothelioma patients can suffer from constipation, bloating and an unproven loss of weight. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdominal swelling and a feeling of fullness or an obstruction in the stomach. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever and a loss of appetite. Mesothelioma symptoms can be extremely severe and life-threatening, especially if it has advanced to a stage. Early detection is crucial to receiving a rapid mesothelioma diagnose and starting treatment as soon as you can. Consult a mesothelioma doctor for advice if you or someone you love is suffering from mesothelioma symptoms. Treatment The treatment options for mesothelioma are dependent on the type and the stage of cancer. Patients should select mesothelioma specialists who are experienced with the disease and is able to discuss their goals for care. This is called shared decision making. Chest X-rays are usually the first imaging tests that the doctor of a patient orders. These can reveal changes in the lining of the lungs, like thickening, and the buildup of fluid. They can also reveal whether the mesothelioma has spread to other parts of the body. Other tests include a CT, MRI, and PET (positron-emission tomography). Blood tests can detect the presence of a certain chemical that are linked to mesothelioma. Following a mesothelioma diagnosis doctors will request an invasive biopsy. Vimeo involves removing a small sample of the lining to look at under microscopes to look for mesothelioma-like cells. Doctors can obtain a tissue sample using VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments) which is a form of keyhole surgery, or through a CT-guided core biopsy, that uses a needle that is guided by images taken of the CT scan. A biopsy can be used to determine the type of cell present in mesothelioma. This will impact the way in which the cancer responds. Epithelioid mesothelioma cells 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 the life expectancy of a patient by 30-40 percent. In certain instances doctors may suggest immunotherapy. These drugs stimulate the patient's own immune system to attack cancer. These drugs can be paired with other treatments like chemotherapy and surgery. Patients suffering from mesothelioma should consider participating in a clinical study. This could result in better and more advanced treatments. Researchers conduct these trials to find new ways to treat the disease and improve the quality of life for patients. Treatment for mesothelioma with advanced stages seeks to lessen symptoms and to keep them under control. The symptoms include pain, breathlessness, and swelling. Surgical procedures, such as a pleural drain, can help with breathing difficulties. For people who cannot undergo surgery, an at-home treatment such as TTFields may be suggested. Prognosis Doctors can plan better treatment when they know the stage of mesothelioma. The prognosis is based on the type and location of the cancer, what part of the body it affects, and the general condition of a patient's health. Patients with advanced mesothelioma can be able to live for less than one year after being diagnosed. Treatments can extend the time to survival. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when sharp, loose asbestos fibers irritate the lining of the abdomen or lungs. The cancer may develop as a single tumor or it could grow and spreads to nearby tissues. In advanced stages, mesothelioma could cause fluid buildup in the stomach or chest cavity, leading to a cough or other respiratory problems, and abdominal pain and swelling, as well as weight loss. Doctors use a combination of procedures and tests to determine mesothelioma. They may conduct an examination of the body, take an in-situ sample of a mesothelioma tumor for testing and look over a person's medical history. People with mesothelioma often have a history of exposure to asbestos which is the primary risk factor for the disease. The most accurate way to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is with a biopsy, which is the process of removing tissue or fluid from a mesothelioma in order to check it for malignant cells. Doctors examine blood samples to determine if mesothelioma is composed of different kinds of cancerous cells. Epithelioid cells are most common and respond well to treatment. Sarcomatoid cell, which is seen in fewer cases and is more difficult to treat. In the diagnosis of Pleural Msothelioma, doctors can treat fluid buildup in the chest cavity with the procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves using a chemical to scar the lung lining and stop the buildup of fluid. They can also drain the fluid using an in chest tube. Doctors are unable to accurately predict the lifespan of peritoneal patients because the cancer of this type develops on the lining of the abdomen. The prognosis for peritoneal cancer is higher than other types, as it responds to treatment well and is less likely to spread.
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