Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancer associated with exposure to asbestos which is a mineral that occurs naturally The disease is usually diagnosed years after exposure Doctors treat mesothelioma with chemotherapy radiation, surgery and chemotherapy Treatment can help patients live longer There are three types The type of cell that composes the tumor, and the stage of the tumor affects the prognosis What is mesothelioma The mesothelioma-related cancer develops in the mesothelium a thin layer of tissue lining internal organs It is caused by asbestos, which is a grouping of fibrous minerals Asbestos exposure happens when people take in or breathe in stray fibers These asbestos particles stick to the lining of organs and irritate them, leading to tumors Mesothelioma is identified when doctors examine these tumors and then take an in-depth sample of tissue known as biopsy Mesothelioma can be classified based on what kind of cells are present in the tumors The three types of mesothelioma are epithelial also known as sarcomatoid, biphasic and sarcomatoid Epithelial mesothelioma is responsible for around 50 of all diagnoses Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the cause of 10 percent of cases, and has a lower prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma Biphasic mesothelioma consists of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells, and can be found in 30 to 40 of all diagnoses The symptoms of mesothelioma can include breathing difficulties or chest pain, or pain in the abdomen These symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions It is essential to consult a doctor immediately in the event that you experience any of these Treatment for mesothelioma may improve symptoms, slow tumour development and help patients to live longer https//vimeocom/705041432 include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery Palliative treatment is available to patients, and helps manage pain and discomfort Doctors continue to research ways to treat mesothelioma and how it spreads Immunotherapy is a novel treatment that makes use of your immune system to fight cancer This experimental treatment has proven effective in a number of mesothelioma cases Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials, which are studies on new treatments Patients with mesothelioma tend to be treated in cancer centers that have specialized physicians who treat this condition Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis is the initial step towards receiving treatment that could prolong your life Your doctor will begin by analyzing your health history and symptoms and then determining the kind of mesothelioma that you have This is vital because the three primary mesothelioma cancer cells respond differently to treatment The first test your doctor might order is chest X-rays or CT scan During the procedure, you'll lay on a table while the X-ray machine or CT scan produces a detailed image of your chest and the surrounding organs A small amount of dye, typically iodine, is usually given before the procedure This makes the tissues in your chest and abdomen lighter, which makes it easier to be able to You may be asked to take a breathing test during this time If these tests show the possibility of a cancerous tumor or mass the doctor will most likely take the procedure of a biopsy A biopsy is the process of removing a sample of the mass or tumor either surgically or by inserting a needle into the area The sample is examined under a microscope for mesothelioma Our doctors can employ ultrasound to detect lymph nodes that are enlarged, which could be mesothelioma This procedure is called endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, or EBNA The procedure is performed as an outpatient, so you can return home the same day A mesothelioma specialist will need to determine your mesothelioma's stage The stages are determined by how much the cancer has spread and the kind of mesothelioma it is A mesothelioma expert can give you a precise diagnosis to ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment Treatment A patient's mesothelioma treatment plan depends on how far the disease has progressed and their overall health Mesothelioma patients generally receive multimodal therapy that consists of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation The first step to treat mesothelioma begins with an examination of the body and informing the doctor about any past exposure to asbestos Doctors may also order blood tests or imaging scans to look for mesothelioma and rule out any other conditions These include CT computerized tomography scans; MRI magnetic resonance imaging scans; FDG-PET fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans and mediastinoscopy used to examine and test lymph nodes that are located in the chest cavity The majority of mesothelioma cases that are pleural are treated surgically A patient can undergo a minimally invasive procedure, such as video-assisted needle biopsy, or CT-guided thoracoscopic surgical Both surgeries can boost the patient's life expectancy as well as reduce symptoms Chemotherapy is a therapy that makes use of drugs to destroy cancerous cells and stop them from growing It is a standard mesothelioma therapy and can extend the duration of survival It can be administered by intravenous drip IV or pill form Radiation is a mesothelioma therapy that can shrink tumors and kill cancerous cells It can be used to treat pleural cancer at different stages, and also to reduce pain and prolong the life of patients In the latter stages of mesothelioma patients, doctors typically concentrate on reducing symptoms and prolonging the life of patients for as long as possible This kind of treatment is called palliative care Although the average mesothelioma survival rate is very low however, there are many who have survived For instance paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region in 1982, remained alive for 20 years before passing away due to complications from another disease Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma can cause symptoms that last for months or even years before a diagnosis is made Initial symptoms may be misinterpreted as other illnesses or ignored If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is crucial that you consult your doctor immediately The organs in your body are protected by mesothelium, which is a layer of skin This layer prevents them from touching each and rubbing against each other Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium cells which form the linings of many of your organs The lining around your lung is the most commonly area where mesothelioma first appears However, it can also be found in your heart pericardium or abdomen peritoneum or the skin around your testicles tunica vulginalis The first symptoms of mesothelioma include breathlessness as well as chest pain and fatigue Mesothelioma can also cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs and chest wall leading to an edema called pleural A pleural effusion can cause pressure on the lungs, making coughing difficult and difficult breathing Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by taking an individual's medical history before doing an exam They may order chest Xrays to look for signs of abnormalities such as thickening in the lung's lining or a buildup of fluid on the chest wall They can also request an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to get an in-depth look at your lung or other tissues within your body They can also remove any fluid that has accumulated in the pleura, or the peritoneum with an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration procedure A biopsy can help determine the mesothelioma type that is forming the tumor, and how fast it is growing This can help doctors determine the most effective treatment options The three most common types of mesothelioma treatment are radiation, surgery and chemotherapy The following is a list with preventions Mesothelioma is not preventable, however you can reduce the chance of developing it by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos and avoiding them Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer and other diseases that can affect the lining of certain organs There are a variety of types of mesothelioma, some more severe than others Certain types of mesothelioma are more manageable Asbestos is a group of minerals with tiny micro-sized fibers It was used in industrial and construction materials by manufacturers who were not aware of the dangers Blue-collar workers and veterans were especially exposed to asbestos Asbestos has been found to be a risk and you shouldn't stay in an old factory or work there Consult your physician about regular screenings if your family has an antecedent history of exposure to asbestos X-rays, CT or MRI scanners can reveal problems in your lungs or abdomen A biopsy may reveal an abnormality in the lining of your stomach or chest Doctors can examine tissue samples from this area to determine whether you suffer from mesothelioma There is a possibility that you have pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung's lining Other kinds include testicular, pericardial or the peritoneal It can take years for mesothelioma's development after exposure to asbestos Even then, it is difficult to recognize It often is misdiagnosed as a different condition or illness like lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis This could prevent you from receiving the right treatment Researchers are working to improve the diagnosis of cancer and developing tests to detect mesothelioma sooner This could lead better treatments and a higher rate of survival The research involves genetic testing to identify who is most likely to develop mesothelioma