Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is associated with exposure to asbestos the mineral that occurs naturally The disease usually manifests for years after exposure Doctors treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery Treatment can help patients live longer There are three kinds The stage and the type of cells that make up the tumor can affect the prognosis What is Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the mesothelium, thin layer of tissue that linings organs within the body It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of fibrous minerals Exposure to asbestos usually occurs when people inhale or swallow stray asbestos fibers The asbestos particles stick to organ linings and cause irritation They can also cause tumors Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors examine these tumors and take an in-depth sample of tissue known as biopsy Mesothelioma is classified based on the kind of cells are located in the tumors The three types of mesothelioma are epithelial also called sarcomatoid, biphasic and sarcomatoid Epithelial mesothelioma is the most common type and accounts for 50 of all diagnoses Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma accounts for 10 of all cases and has a less favorable prognosis compared to the epithelial Biphasic Mesothelioma can be described as a mix of epithelial cells and sarcomatoid ones https//vimeocom/704997279 accounts for 30-40 percent of all diagnoses Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, chest pain and breathing difficulties These symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, and it is important to see an expert if you are suffering from these symptoms The treatment for mesothelioma can help improve symptoms, slow tumour growth and make it easier for patients to live longer Treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery Palliative care is offered to patients, and helps alleviate discomfort and pain Doctors continue to research ways to treat mesothelioma and how it expands Immunotherapy is an innovative treatment that relies on your own 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 therapies The majority of mesothelioma patients will be treated in specialist cancer centers, where they can consult with doctors who are experienced in treating the condition Diagnosis The first step towards receiving treatment to prolong your life span is a mesothelioma-related diagnosis Your doctors will begin the process by examining your symptoms and health history, then determining the type of mesothelioma you're suffering from This information is important because the three mesothelioma primary cell kinds respond differently to treatment The first test that your doctor might order is an X-ray chest scan or CT scan In this procedure, you lie on tables while the Xray or CT machine takes a clear image of your chest and the organs around it A small dose of dye, usually iodine, is usually administered prior to the procedure This makes the tissue in your abdomen and chest lighter, which makes it easier to observe During this time, you may be asked to perform an exercise to test your breathing If these tests show an indication of a tumor or mass that could be cancerous, your doctor may decide to take biopsy A biopsy involves the removal of the tumor or mass, either surgically or by inserting an instrument into the site The sample is examined under a microscope to determine if mesothelioma is present In certain cases our specialists employ ultrasound to identify lymph nodes with enlarged lymphatic vessels that could be mesothelioma This procedure is known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, or EBNA It is done on an outpatient basis, which means you can return home the next day A mesothelioma doctor will also be required to determine the stage of mesothelioma The stages are determined by how far the cancer has spread, and also which mesothelioma type it is A precise diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist the best way to make sure that you receive the correct treatment Treatment The treatment plan for mesothelioma patients depends on how far the disease has advanced and their overall health Patients who have mesothelioma usually receive multimodal treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation The first step in treating mesothelioma is getting an examination for physical health and telling the doctor about any prior exposure to asbestos Doctors may also request scans of the blood and imaging to detect mesothelioma and rule out any other ailments These include CT computerized tomography scans; MRI magnetic resonance imaging scans; FDG-PET fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission tomography scans; and mediastinoscopy used to look at and sample lymph nodes in the chest cavity The majority of mesothelioma cases that are pleural can be treated through surgery Patients can undergo a minimally invasive procedure known as video-assisted surgery VAT or a CT-guided needle biopsy Both surgeries can help reduce symptoms and increase the patient's life expectancy Chemotherapy is a treatment that utilizes drugs to destroy cancerous cells and stop them from expanding It is a common mesothelioma treatment, and can prolong the life expectancy of patients It can be administered by intravenous drip IV or pill form Radiation is a different mesothelioma treatment that can kill cancer cells and shrink tumors It is available at various stages of pleural mesothelioma as well as to alleviate pain and help patients live longer In the latter stages of mesothelioma, doctors usually concentrate on controlling symptoms and prolonging the patient's life for as long as possible This type of treatment is called palliative treatment While the mesothelioma average survival rate is very low, there are many survivors For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, lived for another 20 years until he passed away due to complications from a different illness Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma can cause symptoms months or even years before it is diagnosed The early symptoms are similar to those triggered by other conditions and it is easy to overlook or mistake them for minor illnesses However, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's crucial to see your doctor as soon as possible Organs in your body are encased in a tissue layer known as mesothelium This layer keeps them from colliding with each and rubbing against each other Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, targets mesothelium, the cell that line your organs The majority of cases of mesothelioma start 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 of your testicles tunica vaginalis The first signs of mesothelioma can be chest pain, fatigue and breathlessness Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to build up inside the chest wall and lungs leading to pleural effusion Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs, causing difficulty breathing and a cough Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through taking the medical history of the patient and doing an exam They may order chest Xrays to look for signs of abnormalities like thickening of the lining of the lungs or a buildup of fluid on the chest wall They may also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to get an examination of your lung and other tissues within your body They can also make use of ultrasound-guided needles to drain fluid from the pleura and peritoneum A biopsy may help determine the type of mesothelioma that is forming the tumor and how it is growing This will allow doctors to determine the best treatment options Treatment, radiation, and surgery are the three different types of mesothelioma therapies that are common Prevention Mesothelioma can't be prevented but you can decrease your risk by abstaining from asbestos and staying away from people with it Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer as well as other ailments that affect organ linings Many types of mesothelioma exist, and some are more serious than others Certain types of mesothelioma can be easier to treat Asbestos is made up of a group of minerals that have microscopic fibers Manufacturers used asbestos in the construction industry as well as other industrial products, without knowing about its potential dangers Blue-collar workers and veterans were especially exposed to asbestos Asbestos is known to be a risk and you shouldn't stay in an old factory or work there If you have a history of exposure to asbestos, talk with your doctor about getting regular screening X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can detect problems in your abdomen or lungs A biopsy can also reveal a tumor in the chest's lining or stomach Doctors can test tissue samples from this area to determine if you're suffering from mesothelioma You may have pleural mesothelioma that affects the lungs' interior Other kinds include testicular, pericardial or peritoneal After exposure to asbestos it could take several years before mesothelioma begins to develop Even so, it can be difficult to recognize It is often mistakenly diagnosed as another illness or condition like lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis This can hinder you from getting the right treatment Researchers are trying to improve diagnosis and design tests that detect mesothelioma earlier This could lead better treatments and a higher survival rate Genetic testing is used to identify those most likely to develop the disease