Mesothelioma Asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis may be similar Both conditions are caused from exposure to asbestos fibers as well as dust Patients suffering from mesothelioma of the pleural may undergo treatment such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation The four stages of mesothelioma reveal the extent of the cancer's spread Doctors use staging to determine available treatments and life expectation Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs It is typically found in the linings of the lungs, chest cavity and abdomen pleura but it may also affect the membranes that line the heart pericardium or abdominal cavity Mesothelioma is malignant, meaning it has the potential to expand and spread beyond the area of origin The first symptom is typically an unremitting cough that does not produce Phlegm Other symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue and weight loss Some patients may experience swelling or lumps on the abdomen A patient's doctor may refer them to specialists if they're experiencing these symptoms The specialist will perform a series tests to determine if the symptoms are due to mesothelioma or a different cancer They will employ imaging scanners to look inside stomachs, lungs, or heart and then perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis In the case of pleural mesothelioma there are two main surgical options https//vimeocom/704892145 eliminates part of the lung affected, including the diaphragm, as well as a part that surrounds the heart A pleurectomy and pulmonary decortication removes only the pleura, but not the whole lung Radiation and chemotherapy are also options The first makes use of high-energy X radiation to kill cancerous cells, while the second makes use of drugs like carboplatin or pemetrexed to destroy cancerous cells or slow down their growth Patients should inform their doctor whether they've ever been exposed to asbestos This is important because mesothelioma is a cancer that can grow up to 20 years after initial exposure The doctor will inquire about the frequency of exposure and the duration of the exposure, as these variables can influence the development of symptoms If the GP suspects mesothelioma, they will arrange an CT scan to determine how the cancer has spread throughout the body If mesothelioma has spread to the lung, a bronchoscopy should be performed to examine the lungs' airways and lymph nodes In certain instances, a doctor may also suggest a PET-CT or a chest MRI scan to determine if the cancer has been able to spread to your heart Diagnosis The most reliable method to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis is to collect a tissue or fluid sample Doctors use this sample to search for cancerous cells that are different from normal cells A biopsy can be done surgically or with a needle Doctors can also perform imaging tests like x-rays and CT scans to identify mesothelioma They may also do an positron-emission tomography PET scan PET which is used to identify cancerous cells Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are so similar to other conditions For example the chest pain that is associated mesothelioma could be misinterpreted as heart disease or lung cancer In addition asbestos-related conditions such as pleural effusion could be confused with pneumonia or bronchitis If a doctor suspects that a patient has mesothelioma, they will inquire about their previous exposure to asbestos as well as their symptoms They will also perform an examination and take a history of the patient's family's medical history The doctor will request blood and urine testing to determine if there are elevated levels These tests can be done in a hospital or at home These tests will help doctors determine the amount of asbestos in the body and also how well other organs function They will also ask if the patient had undergone any prior surgery A CT scan and chest x-ray will be done to look for signs of mesothelioma Doctors usually conduct an echocardiogram, a test which uses sound waves to create an image of the heart, if they believe that a person has pericardial cancer In the case of pleural mesothelioma, an MRI scan could be beneficial since it provides precise images of the soft tissues Mediastinoscopy is a procedure that can be done by inserting a tube that contains cameras and a light inside the chest in order to study and sample lymph nodes close to the center This is particularly beneficial if mesothelioma spreads to these areas Treatment Mesothelioma is a slow-moving respiratory disease However there are treatments available that can help you manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life To alleviate the pain and fatigue in the lung, doctors can use treatments, fluid draining techniques, or surgery Doctors also can help patients deal with the loss of normal levels of energy and how this impacts their daily activities The first step in treating mesothelioma is to determine if cancerous cells are present The best way to do that is by taking a biopsy During the biopsy, doctors take a small portion of mesothelium, and examine it under a microscope in order to determine whether there are any cancerous cells A biopsy is typically performed by surgery, however, doctors can also perform the thoracentesis procedure This involves inserting a needle into the chest to remove a sample of fluid to test A surgeon may decide, after the results of the test have been obtained, to remove any affected parts of the body This is done most often for pleural, but can be performed to treat peritoneal or peritoneal asbestosis Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the lining pleura of the lung Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers are consumed and become trapped in the digestive tract Patients can take actions following surgery to increase their comfort You can do this by taking naps in the morning, planning trips to the grocery store and other outings when you feel better and doing light exercise Patients may also inquire about clinical trials for the treatment of mesothelioma with a health care provider These trials are studies on new mesothelioma treatment options which aren't yet approved by the FDA Other treatments, like radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, could be available The use of radiation and immunotherapy is to enhance the body's natural defense systems against cancer The targeted therapy uses specific drugs to target weaknesses in mesothelioma tumor cells Since each patient and situation is different, it is crucial to discuss all treatment options with a mesothelioma expert Prognosis A prognosis is an estimate of how far mesothelioma is spreading and what the best treatment options will be It also indicates how long patients will have to live with mesothelioma The general health of a patient can be an important factor in the likelihood of them surviving mesothelioma People who are fitter and have better blood tests such as normal haemoglobin levels and higher platelet and white cell counts will have a better chance of surviving mesothelioma They will also be better at enduring chemotherapy and surgery than those with lower general health Mesothelioma can be described as a highly aggressive cancer that typically has a less favorable prognosis than other forms of cancer This is mainly because it is usually diagnosed later when the cancer has already taken hold Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer to detect because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses In certain cases, it could take years for a person to develop mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos There are two types of mesothelioma pleural and peritoneal Both are triggered by exposure to asbestos This cancer affects the mesothelial tissues which cover the majority of the internal organs in the body If a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma pleural, it affects the membrane that surrounds the chest cavity pleura It can also affect the membranes that surround the heart pericardium, or those around the testicles Asbestosis is not characterized by the same symptoms as mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos can cause lung issues like stiffness and scarring It is possible to develop both asbestosis and mesothelioma simultaneously Only people who have been exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma It usually develops in the lining of the chest stomach, abdomen and other organs It is not caused by smoking, and the majority of people who have developed mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos when they worked People who smoke and suffer from other illnesses, like heart disease or diabetes are more likely to be affected by the disease