Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesothelioma symptoms are first noticed, doctors will order imaging scans to determine whether a patient is suffering from potential cancerous growths in their chest or abdomen Mesothelioma is a common cause of other illnesses like lung cancer, pneumonia, or pneumonia and can cause confusion in diagnosis A biopsy is taken by a doctor to determine mesothelioma There are three mesothelioma cell types classified as epithelial epidermal and the sarcomatoid sarcoma and biphasic Each type responds to treatment differently and has a different impact on life expectancy Diagnosis Doctors will run several tests when mesothelioma is suspected These include chest Xrays, CT scans and biopsies The X-ray reveals an accumulation of fluid on the chest's left side This is referred to as pleural effusion and is often the first manifestation of mesothelioma However, X-rays aren't the most reliable method to diagnose the condition The next step is the chest CT scan, which will give you a an exact picture of your lungs and other organs A doctor can inject you with a color, which will highlight areas that could be cancerous During the CT scan, you'll be taken through a doughnut-shaped scanner while lying on a bed The procedure only takes some minutes and isn't too uncomfortable for people who are claustrophobic In certain situations, a doctor might perform an MRI test These scans create high-quality images made of radio waves and powerful magnetic fields If you have a mesothelioma affecting the diaphragm or the diaphragm, then an MRI can assist doctors in locating the disease and determine how advanced it is Some patients could also have an PET scan You will receive a radioactive dye in this test Cancer cells absorb the dye more than healthy cells, and they will appear brighter in the images A biopsy is the last test to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma A doctor will remove a portion of the affected lining The lining will then be examined under a microscope to identify cancerous cells This can be done under local anaesthesia or by using the CT scan or needle If the biopsy confirms mesothelioma, your doctor will use the results of the other tests to determine the stage The stage identifies how far mesothelioma spread and what kinds of treatment are best for you This guide contains the section titled Stages that will give you more information about staging Treatment Several treatment options are available for mesothelioma There are a variety of treatment options available Some can improve the quality of life and prolong life for a longer period of time than others Mesothelioma patients should discuss their goals with their medical team to determine the best method of treatment Surgery is a method to treat mesothelioma The surgeons attempt to eliminate all cancerous tissue during the operation If mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage the doctors may not be able to remove the cancer completely However, surgeons can manage to reduce symptoms The most commonly encountered mesothelioma form is mesothelioma of the pleura, which is formed in the lining surrounding the lung In some instances, a person may develop mesothelioma inside the membrane surrounding the heart pericardial mesothelioma Rarely, mesothelioma may affect the testicles Mesothelioma can be treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy These treatments are usually delivered by mesothelioma experts at specialized centers Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill mesothelioma cells and prevent their growth The drug combination of pemetrexed with Cisplatin is the first-line treatment of pleural mesothelioma Radiation therapy makes use of high energy beams to kill cancerous cells This treatment is most often utilized in conjunction with other mesothelioma treatment like surgery and chemotherapy It can also be used to kill any remaining microscopic mesothelioma that surgeons were unable to remove during surgery These treatments may cause numerous adverse consequences for patients suffering from mesothelioma These include nausea, fatigue and hair loss A mesothelioma expert can help a patient choose the right treatment for their specific needs They can also suggest alternative ways to improve the quality of life of patients These include regular Pleural fluid drainage to help ease breathing, or powerful painkillers Patients should also make sure their medical team knows about any other medications they are taking, including supplements, herbs or prescription drugs This helps avoid risky interactions with these medications Prognosis Mesothelioma is also known as mesothelioma of the pleural region is a cancerous tumor that affects the membrane that line the cavities of our bodies such as the abdomen and chest cavity When a person gets mesothelioma, malignant cells develop in this tissue and can grow to other parts of the body that can cause symptoms such breathing difficulties and pain A specialist doctor's diagnosis of mesothelioma is vital as it is the first step to receiving treatment Mesothelioma can be diagnosed various ways, including physical examination, laboratory tests, and the biopsy A biopsy collects a small sample of the tumor or mass in order to detect mesothelioma The consequences of a mesothelioma diagnosis error can be extremely dangerous because it can delay treatment and worsen the prognosis Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of lung cancer, bronchitis, or pneumonia Because of this, mesothelioma can be mistakenly interpreted as a respiratory illness The prognosis of mesothelioma depends on the type and stage along with age, general health and medical history The cancer can be controlled by surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy Palliative care is available for patients to manage symptoms like fatigue, pain and other signs and symptoms The mesothelioma stage of a person is related to how the disease has progressed and how much of it has already been spread to other parts of the body A doctor will make use of their best judgment to determine the stage, taking into account the symptoms and how quickly the cancer is growing The survival rate of mesothelioma varies based on the stage and type as well the location of the cancer The prognosis of those diagnosed with less prevalent types of mesothelioma is less favorable Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, for instance have a higher chance of living longer because it is more likely to develop in the abdomen than mesothelioma that is pleural in the chest In addition, patients who have a high tolerance for treatment might live longer than those who have an intolerant For instance, some individuals who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma have experienced success with the combination of chemotherapy, surgical removal and radiation Symptoms When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed they adhere to the organ's lining and can cause them to form tumors Mesothelioma is most prevalent in the lungs, however it can also be found in the chest wall, abdomen and testicles in men Mesothelioma symptoms generally don't appear until 40-50 years after exposure The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is to take a detailed history of asbestos exposure Your doctor will then conduct a physical exam and review your symptoms A chest X-ray could reveal abnormal thickening of the lungs or fluid in the space that separates the lungs and the chest wall A lung CT scan may also be used to detect mesothelioma and other cancers in the lungs The blood tests can be performed to check how your kidneys and liver are working The doctor could also suggest a chest MRI or an PET scan to detect other mesothelioma-related cancers or mesothelio of the lungs, chest wall or abdomen If a biopsy is required doctors can remove a portion of the tumor with surgical procedures or using the use of a needle through the chest wall under local anesthesia The doctor will examine the tissue with the magnifying glass to determine if this is malignant mesothelioma, or a different type of cancer The results from the tests will assist doctors in determining the extent of cancer after a mesothelioma diagnosis They will assign a staging number for mesothelioma This can help you plan your treatment https//vimeocom/705024263 and they can't grow again even if they are surgically removed They typically occur in the abdominal lining of the pleura Because it affects the heart, mesothelioma that develops in the pericardium might be more difficult to treat It can also recur after surgery Mesothelioma can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes or the bones that are outside the abdomen and chest The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to the symptoms of other less serious conditions This makes it difficult to diagnose This could lead to confusion and delay treatment A delay in treatment can result in complications and lower the chance of surviving