Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesothelioma is first diagnosed doctors request imaging scans to determine if there are any cancerous growths on the abdomen or chest Mesothelioma can be a sign of other illnesses like pneumonia or lung cancer which can lead to the wrong diagnosis A biopsy is taken by the doctor to diagnose mesothelioma There are three main mesothelioma cell types classified as epithelial epidermal, the sarcomatoid sarcoma and biphasic Each type responds to treatment differently and has a distinct impact on the length of life Diagnosis Doctors will run several tests when mesothelioma is suspected This may include chest X ray, CT scans, and biopsies The Xrays reveal a buildup of fluid to one side of the chest This is known as Pleural effusion It 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 creates a detailed picture of your lungs and other organs A doctor will inject you with a dye to identify any areas that could be cancerous During the CT scan, you will be taken through a doughnut-shaped scanner while lying on a mattress The procedure takes just several minutes and isn't too uncomfortable for those who suffer from claustrophobia In some cases doctors may also perform an MRI test These tests make use of strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce high-quality images of soft tissues, like the lungs An MRI can be used to detect mesothelioma that affects the diaphragm and identify its stage Some patients will also undergo a PET scan You will receive a radioactive substance during this test Cancer cells will absorb the dye more than healthy ones, and thus appear brighter on the images A biopsy is the most definitive test to confirm mesothelioma A doctor will remove an infected lining The sample will be examined under a microscope to detect cancerous cells This can be done under local anaesthesia and by using the CT scan or needle If the biopsy confirms mesothelioma your doctor will use the results of the other tests to determine its stage This stage describes how far mesothelioma has spread and what kinds of treatment are most suitable for you This guide includes an article titled Staging which will give you more information about staging Treatment There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma Certain treatments can improve quality of life, or extend the duration of life more than others Patients with mesothelioma must discuss their goals and choose the best treatment plan Surgery is one way to treat mesothelioma The surgeons attempt to eliminate any cancerous tissue during this procedure If mesothelioma reaches an advanced stage it is possible that doctors will not be able remove the tumor completely Surgery can reduce symptoms The most frequent mesothelioma type is found in the lining of the lungs Mesothelioma can form around the heart in certain instances pericardial mesothelioma Rarely, mesothelioma may affect the testicles Mesothelioma is treated with radiation and chemotherapy The treatments are usually given in mesothelioma clinics that are specialized by highly experienced mesothelioma experts Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill mesothelioma cancer cells and inhibit their growth Cisplatin and pemetrexed are the standard first-line drug combination for pleural mesothelioma Radiation therapy employs high-energy beams of energy to kill cancerous cells This type of treatment is typically utilized in combination with other mesothelioma treatments like surgery and chemotherapy This procedure can also be applied to any mesothelioma that is microscopic left by surgeons following surgery Mesothelioma patients are susceptible to different side effects as a result of these treatments These include nausea, fatigue, and hair loss A mesothelioma expert can assist patients choose the best medication for their requirements They can also recommend other methods to improve the quality of life of a patient This could include regular drainage of the pleural fluid to ease breathing, or powerful painkillers Patients should ensure they inform their medical professional of any other medications they are taking such as supplements, herbs or prescription drugs This will allow them to avoid any potentially hazardous interactions between these drugs Prognosis Mesothelioma is also known as mesothelioma pleural is a cancerous tumor that affects the membrane that forms the body's cavities like the abdomen and chest cavity When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, malignant cells develop in this tissue and spread to other parts of the body which can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing and pain A specialist doctor's diagnosis of mesothelioma is vital because it's the first step to receive treatment Mesothelioma is diagnosed in different ways, such as physical examination, laboratory tests and the procedure of a biopsy A biopsy takes a small sample of the tumor or mass to determine if it is mesothelioma A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma can be dangerous, as it can delay treatment or make it more difficult to predict the outcome Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms can mimic lung cancer or common illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis Because of this, mesothelioma is often mistakenly diagnosed as respiratory diseases The prognosis for mesothelioma is determined by the type and stage of mesothelioma, aswell depending on the patient's age, general health and medical history There is no cure for mesothelioma but the cancer can be controlled by chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy Patients are also able to receive palliative treatment to help control fatigue, pain and other signs The mesothelioma level of a patient is a reference to how the disease has progressed and how much of it has already been spread to other parts of the body The doctor will use his or best judgment in determining the stage, taking into account the symptoms and the rate of growth of the cancer The rate of survival for mesothelioma is dependent on the stage and type as well the location of the cancer The prognosis of those diagnosed with less frequent types of mesothelioma is lower Patients with peritoneal msothelioma stand higher odds of living longer because it grows more slowly in the abdomen compared to pleural msothelioma that is found in the chest In addition, patients who are tolerant for treatment might be more successful than those with a low tolerance For instance, some individuals with peritoneal mesothelioma have had positive results using a combination of surgical removal, chemotherapy and radiation Symptoms Asbestos fibers can cause tumors in organs if they are inhaled, or swallowed Mesothelioma is most often found in the lungs However it can also manifest in the chest, abdomen and testicles in men The signs of mesothelioma generally don't develop until around 40-50 years after exposure The first step to determine if you have mesothelioma begins with a thorough history of exposure to asbestos Your doctor will then do an examination and review your symptoms A chest X-ray may reveal abnormal swelling of the pleura or fluid in the space between the lung and the chest wall A lung CT scan may also be used to look for mesothelioma or other cancers of the lungs You can undergo blood tests to check on the health of your kidneys and liver The doctor could also suggest a chest MRI or a PET scan to look for any other mesothelioma or cancers of the lungs, chest wall or abdomen If a biopsy is needed, doctors can remove a sample of the tumor using surgery or by using an instrument that is inserted through the chest wall under local anesthesia The doctor will then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it is malignant mesothelioma, or a different kind of cancer After a diagnosis of mesothelioma, doctors use the information gathered from all tests to determine how advanced the cancer is They will assign a mesothelioma staging number, which is helpful in planning your treatment Benign mesotheliomas do not cause cancer and can't grow back in the event that they are removed completely surgically They typically develop in the abdominal lining or pleura Because it affects the heart, mesothelioma which forms in the pericardium can be more difficult to treat It can also recur following surgery Mesothelioma can also spread other parts of the body such as the bones or lymph nodes outside the chest and abdomen It is sometimes difficult to determine if you have mesothelioma based on the similarity of symptoms with other less serious diseases https//vimeocom/705022979 can lead to misdiagnosis that could delay treatment Delay can cause more complications and reduce the chances of survival