Mesothelioma Asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis may be similar This is because both conditions are caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibers Pleural mesothelioma is treatable by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation The four stages of mesothelioma show the extent of cancer's spread Doctors use staging to determine the treatment options and expectations for life Symptoms Mesothelioma mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs It is most commonly found in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity pleura however it can also affect the membrane that line the abdominal cavity peritoneum or around the heart pericardium Mesothelioma is malignant, meaning it is likely to spread and grow beyond the area of origin The first symptom is typically a cough that doesn't produce phlegm Other symptoms include shortness of breath, weight loss and fatigue In some instances, patients experience lumps or swelling in their abdomen If a patient has these symptoms, their physician may refer them for specialized treatment The specialist will perform a series of tests to determine if the symptoms are due to mesothelioma or a different cancer They will use imaging scanners to examine the abdominal organs, lungs or hearts and then perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis When it comes to pleural mesothelioma, doctors have two main surgical options an extrapleural pneumonectomy EPP that removes the cancer and a part of the lung affected, the diaphragm as well as a portion of the lining the heart and a pleurectomy accompanied by pulmonary decortication P/D which eliminates the pleura but not the entire lung that is affected Other forms of treatment include radiation and chemotherapy The first utilizes high-energy X radiation to kill cancerous cells The second utilizes drugs like pemetrexed or carboplatin in order to eliminate cancerous cells or stop their growth Patients should inform their doctor about any history of asbestos exposure This is crucial because mesothelioma is a cancer that can develop up to 20 years after initial exposure The doctor will also inquire about the frequency and duration of exposure as these factors can affect the development of symptoms If your GP suspects you have mesothelioma they will order a CT scan to determine the extent to which the cancer spreads throughout the body If the mesothelioma is in the lung, they'll perform a bronchoscopy look at the lungs' airways and lymph nodes In certain cases doctors may recommend a PET-CT or chest MRI scan to determine if the cancer has been able to spread to your heart Diagnosis The most effective method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is by collecting a sample of tissue or fluid This sample is used by doctors to look for cancerous cells that are different from normal ones A biopsy can be done surgically or with a needle Doctors can also perform imaging tests, such as x-rays and CT scans to identify mesothelioma They can also conduct the positron emission tomography scan PET which is used to identify cancerous cells Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may be similar to other diseases The chest pain associated with mesothelioma may be misinterpreted as a heart disease or lung carcinoma Pleural effusion, a condition caused by asbestos can be misinterpreted as bronchitis or pneumonia If doctors suspect that a patient is suffering from mesothelioma they will ask about the person's past exposure to asbestos and the symptoms The doctor will also perform a physical examination and ask about the medical history of family members The doctor will then conduct blood and urine tests to look for elevated levels of certain proteins These tests can be performed in a hospital or at home These tests aid doctors in determining how much asbestos is present in the body and how the organs are performing They will also want to be aware of whether the patient has had any previous surgeries A chest xray and CT scan will also be done to look for signs of mesothelioma like a thickening of the membrane that surrounds the lung Doctors typically conduct an echocardiogram, a test which utilizes sound waves to produce an image of the heart, if they suspect that a patient has pericardial mesothelioma In the case of pleural mesothelioma, an MRI scan can be helpful because it gives detailed images of the soft tissues Mediastinoscopy is a procedure that can be done, which involves inserting a tube containing an imager and a light into the chest to look at and sample the lymph nodes near the middle This is especially helpful if mesothelioma spreads to these areas Treatment Mesothelioma is a chronic respiratory illness that is slow to progress However there are treatments available that can ease the symptoms and improve your quality of living Doctors can employ medications, fluid drainage techniques or surgeries, or a combination of techniques to alleviate lung pain and fatigue Doctors can also assist patients deal with fatigue and how it affects their daily life The first step in treating mesothelioma asbestosis is finding out if cancerous cells are present The most effective method to determine this is to take the procedure of a biopsy During a biopsy, doctors will take a small piece of mesothelium for examination under a microscope They will search for cancerous cells A biopsy is usually done via surgery, but doctors can also perform the thoracentesis procedure This involves inserting a needle in the chest cavity to take a sample of fluid for testing When the test results are in the surgeon could decide to remove any parts of the body that have been affected by mesothelioma asbestosis This is typically performed to treat pleural mesothelioma however, it can be performed to treat peritoneal mesothelioma as well Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lining pleura of the lung Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos fibers that are ingested into digestive tract Patients can take steps after surgery to increase their level of comfort This can be done by taking naps in the morning, making trips to the store and other activities when you are feeling better and performing light exercises Patients may also inquire about clinical trials for treatment of mesothelioma with a healthcare provider https//vimeocom/703543150 study new mesothelioma treatment options which aren't yet approved by the FDA Other treatments may also be available, such as chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy Radiation and immunotherapy are used to boost the body's natural defence mechanisms against cancer Targeted therapy involves using specific drugs to target weaknesses in mesothelioma tumor cells Every patient's situation is individual It is crucial to discuss with a mesothelioma expert all treatment options Prognosis A prognosis is an estimate of how far a mesothelioma has spread and what the best treatment options will be It can also tell patients how long they can anticipate living after being diagnosed with mesothelioma A patient's overall health is another factor that affects their mesothelioma prognosis Fitter people with higher blood tests, including normal haemoglobin and higher platelet and white cell counts, will have a greater chance of beating the disease They will also be more at enduring chemotherapy and surgery than those with poorer general health Mesothelioma can be described as a highly aggressive cancer that typically has a less favorable prognosis than other kinds of cancer This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed later when the disease has already progressed Mesothelioma is also a challenging cancer to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses In some instances, it may take years for a person to develop mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos There are two main kinds of mesothelioma pleural mesotheliom and mesothelioma of the peritoneal region Both are caused by exposure to asbestos The mesothelial tissues that cover the majority of internal organs of the body The cancerous cells that cause pleural mesothelioma affect the membrane that line the chest cavity It can also affect the membrane that surrounds the heart pericardium or the testicles' membrane testicular mesothelioma Asbestosis does not have the same symptoms as mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos can cause lung issues like stiffness and scarring It is possible to contract mesothelioma and asbestosis at the same time Mesothelioma cancer is only found in those who have been exposed to asbestos It is most often found in the lining of the chest stomach, abdomen and other organs It is not caused by smoking and most people who have developed mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos when they were working Smokers or suffer from other illnesses like diabetes or heart disease could be more likely to develop mesothelioma over others