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Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissues lining the chest cavity and lungs, and in rare cases, the abdominal lining and heart. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers are entangled in tissues and cause DNA damage. Cells turn into mesothelioma cancerous cells. pasadena asbestos attorneys is a form of cancer that affects the tissues that line and protect organs inside the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to undergo a change and grow into mesothelioma cancers. The majority of cases of mesothelioma occur in the lungs (pleura). It can also develop in the linings of the heart, abdomen and testicles. The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. Patients also experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms are akin to other ailments and are difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stages of mesothelioma. The signs of mesothelioma might not appear for years or even decades following asbestos exposure. The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to conduct a physical exam and a health history. A doctor can request blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of symptoms. These scans comprise CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography). X-rays could reveal a lump or fluid that isn't normal in the lungs. These scans can help the doctor determine the kind and location of mesothelioma. The two main mesothelioma types are sarcomatoid and epithelioid. About 70% of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis, and is less frequent than epithelioid. People with pleural cancer typically suffer from a painful, non-productive cough and breathing difficulties. In rare instances, a patient with pleural mesothelioma may have an abnormal heart murmur an issue called pericardial effusion, or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis). The best way to accurately identify mesothelioma is to take the taking of a biopsy of the tissue. The type of mesothelioma also determines the way a doctor treats the condition. For instance when a patient has mesothelioma pericardial doctors may drain excess fluid with pleurodesis, a procedure that is known as pleurodesis, or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to ease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include surgery and chemotherapy. Diagnosis The mesothelioma cancerous form develops on the organ's linings. The disease most commonly occurs in the lungs (pleura), though it can also develop in the abdomen (peritoneum) or around the testes (tunica vaginalis). It takes between 10 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Because of this latency time, many patients can be misdiagnosed. It is often mistaken for other less serious illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This mistake could result in delays in treatment, which could decrease the chance of survival. If you suspect that you might have mesothelioma should see their doctor immediately. In the initial visit, doctors examine a patient's medical history to determine if there are any symptoms or conditions that increase the risk of mesothelioma. This includes asbestos exposure in the past and the nature and duration of the exposure. The doctor will then recommend imaging tests for the chest and abdomen to look for signs of mesothelioma. Chest X-rays CT scans and MRIs all provide precise images of the inside of the body. They also show lung changes, such as the pleural thickening process or the accumulation of fluid. They can also reveal the extent to which mesothelioma is spreading to other areas of the body. A doctor may also request an analysis of blood to determine whether the patient has high levels of certain substances related to mesothelioma. They may also carry out an operation known as a Thoracentesis which involves removal of lungs of fluid and looking for cancer cells. If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, a biopsy will be performed to examine small portions of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be done using VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments) or through the use of a needle that is guided by an CT scan. The results will aid in determining the most effective mesothelioma treatment plan for the patient. This could include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Some patients might also opt to participate in immunotherapy. This newer type of treatment can enhance the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life. Treatment Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects the tissues that line and protect organs, such as the stomach, lungs (peritoneal) or heart, or testicles. It is impossible to cure mesothelioma but treatment may help control symptoms. Your doctor will inquire about your medical background and will look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also inquire about your asbestos exposure, because this is the number one risk factor for mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become trapped in the lining of the chest cavity the stomach, tummy or the heart (mesothelium). As time passes this causes inflammation and transforms normal cells into cancerous ones. Blood tests and imaging tests can be used to detect mesothelioma. Your healthcare provider will employ an X-ray of your chest to detect changes in your lung tissue and determine if you suffer from fluid build-up (pleural effusion). Your healthcare provider will order an MRI, CT scan, or FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET), to get precise images. They will also do an incisional needle biopsy to collect an in-situ sample of the affected tissue. A mesothelioma specialist, also known as a pathologist will look at the mesothelioma tissue under a microscope in order to find cancerous cells and determine the kind of mesothelioma you have. To make the diagnosis the pathologist will stain the sample using a dye which shows up when certain types of proteins are present. They will then use a specific method to obtain an even closer view of the tissue under a microscope. It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma since the mesothelioma-causing cells appear similar to those of other types of cells within the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma with other tests. These tests involve an analysis of blood samples to determine the levels of fibulin-3 or mesothelin related protein that is soluble. Your care team will decide on mesothelioma treatments based on the kind of cancer you have and the degree to which it is advanced. The most common mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. If your mesothelioma is in advanced stages, you may also receive palliative care to relieve discomfort and other symptoms. Prognosis The prognosis of mesothelioma is determined by the stage and type of cancer as well as other factors like age and general health. Patients should consult experienced doctors to learn more about their treatment options. Asbestos fibers can damage tissues that line vital organs and safeguard them from harm. The asbestos fibers can be breathed in or ingested, and over time they cause inflammation and genetic changes that convert normal cells into mesothelioma-related tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma that occurs in the lung lining and the chest cavity (pleura), as well as peritoneal mesothelioma, a rarer form that arises in the protective lining of the abdomen. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma on the basis of symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal tiny pieces of tissue to be examined. Doctors then compare the biopsy samples against databases to determine the most likely mesothelioma-related cell type. This information can help them predict the patient's mesothelioma's life expectancy and treatment plan. The mesothelioma types are epithelioid and epithelial, epithelial cells as well as sarcomatoid and biphasic cells. Each mesothelioma type grows at different rates and responds to treatment in a different way. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60 percent to 80% of cases and has a better survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. It can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos, so many patients don't get a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they show signs of. Asbestos sufferers should report their exposure to a physician and undergo periodic checkups. During these visits, doctors examine for signs of exposure to asbestos such as scarring on the lung and other respiratory issues. They may also conduct a simple blood test to assess a patient's overall health. If the results show that the risk of a patient developing mesothelioma is high they can schedule further tests to get an estimate of the prognosis for mesothelioma. This may include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound and lung function tests, and an chest MRI or PET scan.