Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, manifests in the linings that protect certain organs It most commonly develops in the lung pleura or in the abdomen's lining peritoneum People who are exposed to asbestos have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma Anyone who has worked with asbestos, or lived near an asbest mine or factory are at risk Symptoms Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor that develops in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects organs Exposure to asbestos typically causes cancerous tumors to form within these tissues, but symptoms may not show up for decades after exposure People who develop mesothelioma most often experience the pleural lung cavity mesothelioma Other types include the peritoneal abdominal cavity as well as the pericardial lining of the heart and testicular mesothelioma The signs of asbestos lung mesothelioma often include difficulty breathing, pain or fluid build-up Because these symptoms can be similar to those that are associated with other health conditions, they are frequently incorrectly diagnosed Before being diagnosed, mesothelioma sufferers can expect to be seen by various healthcare experts Mesothelioma, a rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure is a rare cancer The first signs of mesothelioma may be seen between 10 and fifty years after exposure to asbestos However, it's difficult to identify due to the long latency period A doctor will begin with a physical examination and inquire about your family history and your work history The doctor may order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for signs of prior asbestos exposure in the form of pleural plaques or other abnormalities These tests can also reveal fluid build-up between the lungs and chest wall which is known as the pleural effusion A PET or MRI scan can aid doctors detect tumors and differentiate between mesothelioma and other types of cancer These tests may also identify asbestos-related changes within the heart of the patient who suffers from the pericardial mesothelioma Doctors may also perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma The procedure involves inserting a needle in the affected area of the body and obtaining a small sample of cells to be examined under a microscope A biopsy is a method to diagnose mesothelioma as well as determine the type of cancer A biopsy can be done as part of a routine health check-up, or when the patient is suffering from mesothelioma related symptoms In many instances, patients will be referred for the procedure to a specialist It could be a surgeon, a pulmonologist or an oncologist The specialist will decide on the best method for testing mesothelioma Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that takes years to develop https//vimeocom/704891725 is important to be diagnosed as quickly as possible because the symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other conditions This will improve your chances of survival The first step is to speak with your GP, or a specialist physician They will inquire about your exposure to asbestos in the past and collect a history of your medical health condition In addition to taking an medical history, doctors will need to conduct a variety of tests and scans of your body These will include blood tests, X-rays, and CT and PET scans The X-rays may help doctors detect abnormalities in the lung, such as fluid buildup or thickening of pleura These are symptoms of mesothelioma CT and PET scans can detect small abnormalities that might not be visible on an X-ray The scans can also indicate the location and size of any tumors or masses The test results will be used by doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and decide the stage of treatment There are four distinct mesothelioma stages They vary from stage 1 to four Stages 1 and 2, mesothelioma, have less advanced than the later stages and easier to treat If your GP suspects mesothelioma they will request a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and search for cancer cells in your tissue A biopsy is when doctors remove the tissue sample from the affected area and look at it under a microscope to identify mesothelioma cells Mesothelioma is classified into three types depending on the type of cells that are found in the tissue sample Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 70 percent of all diagnoses, and is the most susceptible to treatment Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the least frequent and has a lower prognosis In many cases, mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed due to the symptoms are similar This is particularly the case for mesothelioma, which could be mistakenly diagnosed as lung cancer or other ailments such as bronchitis and pneumonia A misdiagnosis of mesothelioma can delay treatment, which can improve your chances of survival It is important to consult a GP as soon as you can when you notice any unusual symptoms Also, tell them if you've been exposed to asbestos Treatment Mesothelioma is a cancer of the thin layer of tissues that line organs' internal organs such as the abdomen and lungs It is a rare form of cancer that can be fatal It is caused by exposure to asbestos Combination therapies can be beneficial to patients diagnosed with mesothelioma It is important to diagnose mesothelioma as quickly as you can Mesothelioma is a disease that can have a long latency, which means that symptoms may not manifest for years after the initial exposure A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma through taking medical history, conducting a physical and doing imaging tests The X-rays or other scans could reveal fluid accumulation in the chest cavity They may also reveal signs such as coughing, wheezing or chest pain Doctors can also determine a patient's stage of mesothelioma The staging system determines the treatments available and the likelihood of the cancer spreading The most common form of mesothelioma occurs in the linings of the lungs Another kind is peritoneal mesothelioma one that forms in the lining of the abdomen The third type is a mix of both epithelioid and sarcomatoid mesothelioma called biphasic mesothelioma It is found in 10 percent of mesothelioma patients Doctors perform a biopsy when a patient shows symptoms of mesothelioma A biopsy is the process of removing a small amount of tissue or fluid from the suspected tumor to be examined under a microscope This test will reveal the kinds of cells that are characteristic of mesothelioma Certain patients with pleural cancer will undergo surgery to remove the affected lung lining This procedure is referred to as pleurodesis, and it can be done with or without chemotherapy Typically, a pleurodesis requires an experienced surgical team in mesothelioma treatment In addition to a pleurodesis patients suffering from this condition can undergo other surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation Other treatment options include immunotherapy which boosts the body's natural defences against cancer, and gene therapy that injects modified viruses into a patient's body in order to stop the growth of tumors Prognosis Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the thin layer of protective tissue lining many organs, including the abdomen, lungs, and the heart Asbestos exposure is only the one known cause of Mesothelioma The exposure to asbestos was triggered when blue-collar employees from the 1930s through the 1980s utilized products using asbestos in their jobs Workers may have inhaled asbestos fibers or swallowed them up, which were absorbed into 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 symptoms and the severity of their condition The doctor will look over the medical records of the patient including any asbestos exposure history Mesothelioma is typically only diagnosed after a person presents with persistent symptoms, like chest pain or difficulty breathing The doctor will order imaging scans like the CT, MRI, or PET positron-emission tomography to assess the health of the patient and determine the most effective treatment options These tests can aid doctors in identifying other illnesses that have similar symptoms, like lung cancer or pneumonia These tests also aid in identifying the types of mesothelioma as well in determining the stage and grade Pleural mesothelioma tends to be more treatable than other mesothelioma types Asbestos-related patients diagnosed with testicular or peritoneal mesothelioma face a harder time with the disease and may experience a shorter life duration Patients suffering from mesothelioma that are in the initial stages of disease have the greatest chance of surviving This is due to the fact that it is easier to treat a smaller area of cancer than one that has spread, or metastasized to multiple places in the body Family members of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are at greater risk than other people of developing the cancer This is because family members are more likely to suffer asbestos exposure from secondhand sources for instance, when an exposed worker brought home stray asbestos fibers on their clothing or hair The exposure of asbestos by a spouse, ***** or sibling may also increase the risk of a person developing mesothelioma