Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that grows in the protective linings around certain organs It is usually found in the linings of the lungs or abdomen peritoneum Mesothelioma is more prone to develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos People who have worked with asbestos, or lived near an asbestos mine or factory are at risk Symptoms Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor, that develops in the thin layer tissue that surrounds and protects organs Exposure to asbestos is typically what causes cancerous tumors to grow within these tissues, but symptoms may not show up for years after exposure The people who develop mesothelioma are more often experience pleural lung cavity mesothelioma Other types include mesothelioma of the peritoneal region abdominal cavity testicular, pericardial and testicular mesothelioma lining of the hearts Symptoms include fluid buildup, breathing problems and pain Because these symptoms may be similar to those that are associated with other illnesses and are often mistakenly diagnosed Mesothelioma sufferers are likely to visit several medical professionals prior to being diagnosed Mesothelioma is a rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure is a rare condition It takes between 10 and 50 years for the first signs of mesothelioma be evident, but it can be difficult to identify because the illness has a long time of latency A doctor will start by conducting a physical examination They will ask about your family and work background The doctor may recommend a chest CT scan or X-ray to check for evidence of asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques or other anomalies These tests may also detect fluid accumulation between the lungs, the chest wall, and the pleural effusion A PET or MRI scan can help doctors identify tumors and differentiate between mesothelioma and other types of cancer These tests may also identify asbestos-related changes in the heart of a patient which is known as pericardial msothelioma A biopsy is performed by doctors to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma The biopsy involves inserting a needle into the affected region of the body to take an insignificant amount of tissue to be examined under a magnifying microscope A biopsy is a method to identify mesothelioma and establish the kind of cancer A biopsy can be done as part of a routine checkup, or when patients experience mesothelioma-related symptoms In most instances, patients will be referred for the procedure to a specialist This may be a pulmonologist or an oncologist or a surgeon The doctor will decide on the most effective method to test for mesothelioma Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can take years to develop It is essential to be diagnosed as early as possible since the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other conditions This can increase the likelihood of a positive outcome The first step is to consult an GP or specialist doctor They will ask about your exposure to asbestos and will take a medical history In addition to taking an examination for medical conditions, doctors will need to run a number of tests and scans on your body https//vimeocom/703543457 will include blood tests, X-rays and CT and PET scans The X-rays help doctors spot abnormalities in the lungs such as thickening of the pleura or the accumulation of fluids which are common signs of mesothelioma CT and PET scans are able to spot smaller abnormalities in the lungs, which may not show up on an X-ray These scans also reveal the location and extent of any masses or tumors The results of these tests can be used by doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, and determine the stage of treatment There are four stages of mesothelioma, from stage 1 to stage 4 Stages 1 and 2 mesothelioma stages are less advanced and are more easily treated than later stages If your GP suspects mesothelioma, they'll order a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and check for cancerous cells in the tissue A biopsy is when doctors take the tissue sample from the area affected and examine it under a microscope to identify mesothelioma cells Mesothelioma can be classified in three types depending on the type cells found in the tissue sample Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 70 percent of all diagnoses and is the most responsive to treatment Sarcomatoid is the most rare and has a less favorable prognosis In many cases, mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed because the symptoms are similar This is particularly true for mesothelioma, which can be mistaken for lung cancer or other conditions such as bronchitis or pneumonia A mesothelioma mistake could delay the start of treatment, which can dramatically improve your odds of success You should consult a GP immediately when you notice any unusual symptoms Also, tell them if you've been exposed to asbestos Treatment Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the delicate tissue layer that covers organs' internals like the lungs and abdomen It is a rare and deadly cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma can benefit from the combination of treatments It is crucial to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis as early as possible Mesothelioma is a disease with a long time to develop, which means it can take a long time from the initial exposure to mesothelioma for symptoms to develop A doctor can diagnose Mesothelioma through an examination of the medical history and physical exam, as well as imaging tests X-rays and other scans may reveal fluid accumulation in the chest cavity and abdominal cavity as well as the pericardium They can also reveal symptoms such as coughing or wheezing, or chest pain Doctors can also determine a person's stage of mesothelioma The staging system determines which treatments are available and the likelihood the cancer is to grow The most popular mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lung's lining Another type is peritoneal mesothelioma, one that is found in the abdomen's lining Biphasic Mesothelioma is the third type that is a mix of epithelioid and sarcomatoid sarcoma It is found in 10 of cases of mesothelioma Doctors conduct a biopsy when a patient exhibits signs of mesothelioma A biopsy involves removing some of the tissue or fluid from the suspected tumor to examine it under microscope This test can reveal cell types that are typical of mesothelioma Certain people with pleural mesothelioma will undergo an operation to remove the lung's lining that is affected This procedure is referred to as pleurodesis It can be done with or without chemotherapy In general, a pleurodesis procedure requires an experienced surgical team in mesothelioma treatment In addition to a pleurodesis patients suffering from this disease may undergo additional surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation Other treatment options include immunotherapy, which is designed to enhance the body's natural defenses against cancer and gene therapy which involves injecting modified viruses into the body of the patient to suppress the growth of tumors Prognosis Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a form that develops in the thin protective layer that covers many organs including the lung Asbestos exposure is the sole known cause of Mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos occurred when blue-collar workers from the 1930s through the 1980s employed products using asbestos in their jobs Workers could have inhaled asbestos fibers or swallowed them, and they became lodged in their tissues Mesothelioma sufferers often experience ongoing symptoms for decades before diagnosis A doctor will evaluate the patient who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma to determine the severity and symptoms of their condition The doctor will also look over the medical history of the patient, including any history of asbestos exposure Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after a patient is diagnosed with persistent symptoms, like chest pain or breathing problems The doctor will request imaging scans, such as a CT, MRI, or PET positron-emission tomography to evaluate the health of the patient and determine the best treatments These tests can aid in determining if there are other illnesses that have similar symptoms, like lung cancer or pneumonia These tests can also be used to identify the type of mesothelioma and the stage and the degree Pleural mesothelioma can be more treatable than other mesothelioma types Asbestos victims diagnosed with peritoneal or testicular mesothelioma may have a longer time with the disease and may have a shorter life time Mesothelioma patients at the earliest stages of the cancer have the highest chance for survival This is due to the fact that it is much easier to treat a small part of the cancer than one that has spread, or metastasized to various locations within the body Mesothelioma patients' families are more at risk of developing the disease This is due to the fact that family members are more likely than other people to be exposed to asbestos from a second-hand source such as when a worker who was exposed brought asbestos fibers home in their hair or clothing The exposure to asbestos of a spouse, ***** or sibling could increase the risk of mesothelioma