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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is associated with exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral. The disease is usually diagnosed years after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three kinds of mesothelioma. The type of cell makes up the tumor and its stage affects prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? The cancerous mesothelioma forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue that line organs inside). It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of fibrous minerals. The exposure to asbestos is usually when people inhale or swallow asbestos fibers. The asbestos particles stick to the linings of organs and can cause irritation, which then causes tumors. Mesothelioma is identified when doctors examine these tumors and then take an x-ray of the tissue, known as a biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified by type depending on the type of cells seen in the tumours. The three types are epithelial biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Epithelial Mesothelioma comprises about 50 percent of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma makes up 10% of all cases and has a worse prognosis than the epithelial form. Biphasic Mesothelioma can be described as a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid. It accounts for 30 to 40 percent of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing problems and chest pain or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms are similar to symptoms of other diseases, so it is imperative to see an expert if you are suffering from these symptoms. Treatment for mesothelioma might help alleviate symptoms, slow tumor development and help patients live longer. Treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Patients can also seek palliative care, which can help to manage discomfort and pain. Doctors continue to study ways to treat mesothelioma, and how it expands. Immunotherapy is a novel treatment that relies on your own immune system to fight cancer. This experimental treatment has shown promise in some mesothelioma cases. Patients are also able to take part in clinical trials, which are research studies of new treatments. The majority of mesothelioma patients will be treated at specialist cancer centers where they have the opportunity to consult with doctors who are experienced in treating the condition. Diagnosis The first step to receiving treatment to prolong your life span is a mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Your doctors will begin the process by looking over your health history and symptoms and then determining the kind of mesothelioma you have. This information is crucial because the three primary mesothelioma cancer cells respond differently to treatment. The first test your doctor might order is a chest X-ray or CT scan. During this procedure, you lie on a table as the X-ray or CT machine creates a detailed image of your chest and the organs surrounding it. A small dose of a dye, usually iodine, is usually given before the procedure. This makes the tissue of your abdomen or chest lighter, making it easier to be able to. During this time, you could be asked to perform a breathing test. If these tests show an indication of a cancerous tumor mass the doctor may take an examination for biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing a sample of the tumor or mass, either surgically or by inserting a needle into the area. The specimen is then examined under a microscope for mesothelioma. In some instances our experts use ultrasound to help find enlarged lymph nodes that could be mesothelioma. This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, or EBNA. This procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can return home on the same day. A mesothelioma specialist will be required to determine your stage of mesothelioma. The stages are determined based on how the cancer has spread and the type of mesothelioma you have. Receiving a precise diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist is the best way to ensure that you receive the proper treatment. Treatment The treatment plan of a mesothelioma patient is determined by the extent of their disease and their general health. Patients with mesothelioma typically receive multimodal treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The first step in treating mesothelioma begins with an examination of the body and informing the doctor about any previous exposure to asbestos. Doctors may also request images and blood tests to look for mesothelioma and rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) and mediastinoscopy. Surgery is an option for most pleural mesothelioma cases. Patients can undergo a minimally invasive procedure known as video-assisted surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can increase the patient's life expectancy as well as reduce symptoms. Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancerous cells and prevent their growth. It is a standard treatment for mesothelioma and can prolong the survival of patients. It is available as an intravenous drip (IV) or in pill form. Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment which can shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It is available at various stages of pleural mesothelioma as well as to relieve the pain and make patients live longer. In the last stage of mesothelioma treatment doctors concentrate on reducing symptoms to extend the lifespan of patients as long as is feasible. Palliative treatment is the name of this kind of treatment. Despite the poor survival rate of mesothelioma, there are still many survivors. For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1982, remained alive for 20 years before passing away due to complications from a different illness. Symptoms Many patients with mesothelioma experience symptoms for months or years before they are diagnosed. Early symptoms may be mistaken for other ailments or overlooked. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is important that you see your doctor immediately. Your body's organs are wrapped in a layer of tissue called the mesothelium. This layer protects them from rubbing against one the other. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel that form the lining of a number of your organs. The majority of cases of mesothelioma occur in the lining around your lungs, but it could also occur in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and in the lining around testicles (tunica vaginalis). The first symptoms of mesothelioma are often breathlessness and chest pain as well as fatigue. Mesothelioma may also cause fluid accumulation in the lungs or chest wall and cause an pleural effusion. Pleural effusions can place pressure on the lungs and cause coughing difficulties and breathing problems. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma following a thorough medical exam and taking the patient's medical history. They may ask for chest X-rays which can reveal signs of abnormalities, such as thickening of lung lining or the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall. They can also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to have a more detailed look at your lungs or other tissues. They can also flush any fluid that collects in the pleura and the peritoneum using an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure. A biopsy can identify which mesothelioma types are making up the cancer and how they are growing. This can help doctors determine the best treatment options. The three types of mesothelioma treatment include radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Prevention Mesothelioma can't be prevented but you can decrease the risk by avoiding asbestos and staying away from people who have it. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer, as well as other diseases that affect organ linings. There are many types of mesothelioma and some are more serious than others. Certain types of mesothelioma are easier to treat. Asbestos is a group of minerals that contain tiny micro-sized fibers. It was used in construction and industrial products by companies who were not aware of the dangers it posed. Workers and veterans in blue collar jobs were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is now recognized to be hazardous and you should never live in a home or work in an old plant which has asbestos. Talk to your doctor about regular screenings if your family has an antecedent history of asbestos exposure. X-rays, CT or MRI scanners will reveal any issues in your lungs, abdomen or stomach. A biopsy can help identify the presence of a tumor in the lining of your stomach or chest. Doctors can analyze tissue samples from this area to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma. You could have pleural msothelioma that affects the lungs' interior. Other types include testicular, pericardial or peritoneal. After exposure to asbestos, it can take many years before mesothelioma begins to develop. Even then, peoria mesothelioma lawyer may be difficult to determine. It often is misdiagnosed as a different condition or illness like lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis. This can hinder you from receiving the right treatment. Researchers are trying to improve diagnosis and design tests that detect mesothelioma earlier. This could lead to better treatments and a higher rate of survival. Genetic testing is used to determine those who are most likely the disease.