Mesothelioma Asbestosis The symptoms of asbestosis and mesothelioma may be similar Both conditions are caused from exposure to asbestos fibers and dust People who have pleural mesothelioma may receive treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation Mesothelioma has four stages that show how the cancer has spread Doctors use staging in order to determine the best treatment options and life expectancies Symptoms Mesothelioma mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs It most often affects the lung lining as well as the chest cavity pleura however, it can also occur in the membrane that line the abdominal cavity peritoneum or around the heart pericardium Mesothelioma is malignant, which means it has the potential to expand and spread beyond the location of origin The first symptom of a non-phlegmatic cough is common Other symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness and weight loss Some patients may notice lumps or swelling on their abdomen A patient's doctor may refer them to specialists if they're experiencing these symptoms The specialist will run a series of tests to determine whether mesothelioma or any other cancers are the reason They will use imaging scans to look inside the lungs, abdomen or the heart, and then perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis When it is pleural mesothelioma that needs to be treated, doctors have two primary surgical options that include an extrapleural pneumonectomy EPP that removes the cancer and a part of the lung affected, the diaphragm, and a small portion of the lining the heart; and a pleurectomy with pulmonary decortication P/D which eliminates the pleura, but not the entire affected lung Radiation and chemotherapy are also options The first uses high-energy X radiation to kill cancerous cells, while the second uses drugs such as carboplatin or pemetrexed to destroy cancerous cells or slow their growth Patients should inform their doctor when they've been exposed to asbestos This is crucial because mesothelioma is a cancer that can develop up to 20 years after the initial exposure The doctor will also inquire about the frequency and duration of exposure as these can impact the development of symptoms If the GP suspects mesothelioma they will schedule for a CT scan to see how far the cancer has spread in the body If the mesothelioma is located in the lung, they will perform a bronchoscopy examine the lungs' airways as well as lymph nodes In certain cases, the doctor may also recommend an abdominal MRI or PET-CT scans to determine if the cancer has developed into the heart Diagnosis The most reliable way to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is to collect a tissue or fluid sample https//vimeocom/704942697 will use this sample to identify cancerous cells, which differ from normal cells A biopsy can be done surgically or by inserting a needle To identify mesothelioma, doctors may use imaging tests like CT scans and x-rays They can also conduct a positron emission tomography PET scan, which is used to find cancerous cells that have expanded Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms may be so similar to other conditions For instance the chest pain that occurs with mesothelioma can be mistaken for heart disease or lung cancer Pleural effusion, a condition caused by asbestos, can be mistaken for pneumonia or bronchitis If doctors suspect that a patient is suffering from mesothelioma they will ask about the patient's prior exposure to asbestos, as well as the symptoms The doctor will also perform physical examination and inquire about the medical history of relatives The doctor will request blood and urine testing to determine if there are elevated levels These tests can be performed in a hospital setting or at home These tests aid doctors in determining the amount of asbestos is in the body, and how the organs are performing They also need to find out if the patient had any previous surgeries A CT scan and chest x-ray are performed to check for signs of mesothelioma Doctors typically conduct an echocardiogram, a test which makes use of sound waves to create a picture of the heart if they believe that a person has pericardial cancer A MRI scan might be useful in the case of pleural mesothelioma because it can provide detailed pictures of soft tissues Mediastinoscopy is a procedure that can be done, which involves inserting a tube that contains a camera and light inside the chest to study and sample lymph nodes located near the center This is especially helpful if mesothelioma spreads to these areas Treatment Mesothelioma asbestosis is a slow-paced respiratory disease, however there are treatment options that can ease symptoms and improve the quality of life To ease the pain and fatigue in the lung doctors can prescribe medications, fluid draining techniques, or surgery Doctors can also assist patients deal with the loss of normal energy levels and how that impacts their daily activities The first step to treating mesothelioma involves determining if cancerous cells are present A biopsy is the best way to find out In a biopsy, doctors take a small portion of mesothelium and look at it under a microscope to determine if there are any cancerous cells A biopsy is usually done by surgery, however, doctors can also perform a procedure called thoracentesis This involves inserting a needle in the chest cavity to take an amount of fluid for testing A surgeon may decide, once test results have been confirmed to remove any affected areas of the body This is done most often for pleural, but can be performed to treat asbestosis that is peritoneal or peritoneal Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lining pleura of the lung Peritoneal Mesothelioma is caused asbestos fibers that are ingested into digestive tract Patients can take actions following surgery to increase their comfort This can be done by taking napping in the morning, planning trips to the grocery store and other activities for when you feel better and performing light exercises Patients can also ask their doctor about clinical trials for mesothelioma treatment These trials are studies on new mesothelioma treatment options that haven't yet been approved by FDA Other treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, are available Immunotherapy and radiation are used to boost the body's natural defence mechanisms against cancer Targeted therapy involves using specific drugs to combat weaknesses in mesothelioma cancer cells Because each patient and case is unique, it's crucial to discuss all treatment options with a mesothelioma doctor Prognosis A prognosis is a rough estimate of the extent to which a mesothelioma spreads and what treatment options are available It also informs patients how long they can anticipate living after being diagnosed with mesothelioma The general health of a patient can be an element in the prognosis of mesothelioma People who are healthier and have better blood tests such as normal haemoglobin levels and higher white cell and platelet counts will have a better chance of surviving mesothelioma They will also be better in their ability to handle chemotherapy and surgery than people with lower general health Mesothelioma, a tumor that is cancerous, that is extremely aggressive and has a lower prognosis than other cancers This is mainly due to the fact that it is often diagnosed much later after the disease has already progressed The symptoms of mesothelioma can be compared to many other diseases, making it difficult to recognize In some instances it could take years from the time that asbestos exposure occurs to when the patient develops mesothelioma There are two main types of mesothelioma pleural mesotheliom and peritoneal mesothelioma Both are caused by asbestos exposure This cancer affects the mesothelial tissues that cover the majority of the internal organs of the body The cancerous cells that cause mesothelioma pleural affect the membrane that lines the chest cavity It can also affect the membranes that surround the heart pericardium or around the testicles Asbestosis is not a variant of mesothelioma However, it does exhibit similar symptoms to those of mesothelioma It is caused by exposure to asbestos, and it can cause lung issues, such as the formation of scarring and stiffness in the lung It is possible to develop both asbestosis and mesothelioma at the same time Mesothelioma cancer can only be found in those who have been exposed to asbestos It typically develops on the lining of the chest and abdomen It isn't caused by smoking, and most people affected by mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at work Smokers or suffer from other conditions like diabetes or heart disease could be more likely to develop mesothelioma than others