Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that can be traced with exposure to asbestos an element that occurs naturally The disease typically develops over the course of decades after the exposure The treatment of mesothelioma by doctors is chemotherapy, radiation and surgery Treatment can help patients live longer There are three types of mesothelioma The stage and type of cells that compose the tumor influence the prognosis What is mesothelioma The mesothelioma-related cancer develops in the mesothelium a thin layer of tissue lining organs within the body It is caused by asbestos, which is a grouping of fibrous minerals The exposure to asbestos is usually when people swallow or inhale stray asbestos fibers These asbestos particles adhere to organ linings they irritate and cause tumors The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be made by doctors after they examine the tumors, and take a tissue sample also known as biopsy Mesothelioma is classified by type depending on the type of cells seen in the tumours The three types are epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma Epithelial mesothelioma is by far the most popular type and accounts for 50 of all diagnoses Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma accounts for 10 percent of all cases and has a poorer prognosis than the epithelial form Biphasic Mesothelioma is a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones It accounts for 30 to 40 percent of all diagnoses The signs of mesothelioma could include difficulty breathing and chest pain as well as pain in the abdomen These symptoms are similar to symptoms of other diseases, so it is important to see a doctor if you have these symptoms Treatment for mesothelioma can help alleviate symptoms, slow tumor development and help patients live longer Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy Palliative care is offered to patients and can help reduce discomfort and pain Doctors are still researching ways to treat mesothelioma and the ways it expands Immunotherapy is an innovative treatment that makes use of your immune system to fight cancer This experimental treatment has shown promise in certain mesothelioma cases Patients can also try clinical trials, which are studies of new treatments Mesothelioma patients are typically treated in specialist cancer centers where they are able to get access to doctors with experience treating the disease Diagnosis The first step in receiving treatment to prolong your life is to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis Your doctor will analyze your symptoms and medical history to determine the type of mesothelioma you are suffering from This information is essential because the three mesothelioma cells respond differently to treatment Your doctor may recommend an X-ray of the chest or CT scan as the initial test During the test, you will be lying on a table while the X-ray machine or CT scan produces a detailed image of your chest as well as the surrounding organs Prior to the procedure, a tiny injection of dye, usually iodine, is given This makes the tissue in your abdomen or chest lighter which makes it easier to see You might be asked to take a a breathing test during this period of time If these tests reveal an indication of a cancerous tumor mass, your doctor will probably order a biopsy A biopsy is the process of removing a sample of the tumor or mass, either surgically or by inserting an instrument into the site The sample is then examined under a microscope to determine if mesothelioma is present Our doctors can employ ultrasound to find enlarged lymph nodes, which could be mesothelioma This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, or EBNA It is performed on an outpatient basis which means you can return home the same day A mesothelioma specialist must also know your stage of the disease The stages are determined by how much the cancer has spread and which mesothelioma type it is A mesothelioma specialist can provide you with a precise diagnosis to ensure that you get the best treatment Treatment A patient's mesothelioma treatment program depends on how much the disease has advanced and their overall health Mesothelioma patients usually receive multimodal therapy, which is a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation The first step in treating mesothelioma begins with a physical examination and telling the doctor about any prior exposure to asbestos Doctors may also recommend blood tests or imaging scans to determine if mesothelioma is present and to rule out other ailments These include CT computerized tomography scans; MRI magnetic resonance imaging scans as well as FDG-PET fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission tomography scans; and mediastinoscopy used to study and sample lymph nodes inside the chest cavity The majority of mesothelioma-related pleural cases can be treated through surgery A patient can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure called video-assisted needle biopsy or CT-guided thoracoscopic surgical Both surgeries can reduce symptoms and increase the patient's life expectancy Chemotherapy is a method of treatment that makes use of drugs to destroy cancerous cells and stop them from growing It is standard mesothelioma treatment and can help extend survival It can be given via intravenous IV drip or pill form Radiation is a different mesothelioma treatment which can kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors It is used to treat pleural cancer at various stages, and also to ease pain and prolong the life span of patients In the later stages of mesothelioma doctors usually concentrate on reducing symptoms and prolonging the patient's life for as long as is possible https//vimeocom/705023513 is a term used to describe the goal for this type of treatment Although the average mesothelioma survival rate is very low There are many survivors Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with cancer of the peritoneal peritoneal area in 1982 He lived for 20 years before he passed away of complications from a different illness Symptoms Mesothelioma is a cancer that can manifest symptoms for weeks or even years prior to the diagnosis is made The early symptoms are similar to those triggered by other diseases and it's easy to overlook or mistake them for minor ailments However, if you have any of these symptoms, it is crucial to see your doctor as soon as possible The organs of your body are covered by mesothelium, which is a layer of skin This layer keeps them from colliding Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium cells that form the lining of a number of your organs The majority of cases of mesothelioma start in the lining that surrounds your lungs However, it can also occur in the lining of your heart pericardium or abdomen peritoneum and in the lining of your testicles tunica vaginalis The first signs of mesothelioma include breathlessness, chest pain and fatigue Mesothelioma may also cause fluid accumulation in the chest wall or lungs that can lead to pleural effusion A pleural effusion can put pressure on lungs, which can cause coughing and breathing difficulties Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by looking over a patient's medical history and doing an exam They may request chest X-rays that can reveal abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining, or the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall They may also request an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to have a more detailed look at your lungs and other tissues They can also use ultrasound-guided needles in order to drain fluid from the pleura and peritoneum A biopsy can assist in determining the type of mesothelioma that is forming the tumor, and the rate at which it is growing This can help doctors decide on the best treatment options The three mesothelioma treatments are radiation, surgery and chemotherapy Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable, however you can reduce your chance of developing it by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos, and avoiding it Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer, as well as other diseases that affect organ linings There are a variety of mesothelioma types and some are more serious than others Certain types of mesothelioma are more manageable Asbestos is a group of minerals that are made up of thin micro-sized fibers Manufacturers used it in the construction industry and other products, without knowing about its potential dangers Veterans and blue-collar workers were particularly exposed to asbestos Asbestos is now known to be a risk and you should never live in a house or work in an old plant that has asbestos Discuss with your doctor regular screenings, especially if you have an antecedent history of asbestos exposure X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can reveal problems in your lungs, abdomen or stomach A biopsy may also reveal cancer in the lining of your chest or stomach Doctors can analyze tissue samples from this area to determine if you suffer from mesothelioma You could have pleural melanoma, which affects the lining of your lungs Other kinds include testicular, pericardial or the peritoneal It can take several years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos Even then, it is difficult to recognize It is often misdiagnosed with other diseases or conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis or cancer This could prevent you from receiving the proper treatment Researchers are working to improve diagnosis and developing tests that detect mesothelioma sooner This could lead to better treatment and a higher rate of survival The research involves genetic tests to determine those most likely develop mesothelioma