Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the protective linings around certain organs It is most often found in the lung pleura or in the abdomen's lining peritoneum Asbestos-related exposure causes an increased risk of developing mesothelioma This includes people who worked with asbestos or lived near an asbestos mine or factory Symptoms Mesothelioma is a tumor that can be cancerous that grows in the thin layer tissue that surrounds and protects organs The cancerous tumors that develop in these tissues are usually result of asbestos exposure, however, symptoms can take a long time to manifest The people who develop mesothelioma are more often experience the pleural lung cavity mesothelioma Other types include peritoneal abdominal cavity as well as pericardial lining of the heart and testicular mesothelioma The signs of asbestos lung mesothelioma can include difficulty breathing, pain or fluid build-up Since these symptoms are similar to those that are associated with other illnesses they are often misdiagnosed Before being diagnosed, mesothelioma sufferers can expect to see various health specialists Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is linked to asbestos exposure It can take between 10 and 50 years for first signs of mesothelioma show up, but it could be difficult to recognize because the illness has a long latency period A doctor will start with a physical examination and inquire about your family history and your work history The doctor may recommend a chest CT scan or X-ray scan to determine evidence of asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques and other anomalies These tests can also reveal the accumulation of fluid between the chest wall and the lungs, called the pleural effusion An MRI or PET scan is a procedure to aid doctors in identifying tumors and distinguish between a mesothelioma as well as other cancers These tests can also reveal asbestos-related changes in the heart of a patient, a condition known as mesothelioma of the pericardium A biopsy is performed by doctors to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma The biopsy involves inserting a needle in the affected area of the body and obtaining a small sample of cells to be examined under the microscope A biopsy can be used to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the kind of cancer A biopsy can be carried out as part of a routine health checkup or after patients experience mesothelioma-related symptoms In most instances, patients are referred to an expert for the procedure https//vimeocom/704886138 could be a surgeon, a pulmonologist or an oncologist The specialist will select the most appropriate method to test for mesothelioma Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that it takes years to develop It is important to be diagnosed as quickly as possible because the symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other diseases This will improve your chances of survival The first step is to consult an GP or a specialist physician They will ask about your exposure to asbestos in the past and take the history of your medical illness In addition to a thorough medical history Your doctor may also have to conduct a number of tests and scans These include blood tests, CT and PET scans and X-rays The X-rays will help doctors spot abnormalities in the lungs, such as thickening of the pleura, or fluid buildup, which are typical symptoms of mesothelioma CT and PET scans are able to detect smaller abnormalities that may not be visible on an X-ray These scans also reveal the location and size of any masses or tumors These test results will be used by doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, and determine the stage of treatment There are four different mesothelioma stages They vary from stage 1 to 4 Stages 1 and 2 mesothelioma, have less advanced than later stages and are more manageable If your doctor suspects mesothelioma, they'll conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and look for cancerous cells within your tissue A biopsy is the process of removing a small piece of tissue from the area affected and look at it under a microscope for mesothelioma-like cells Mesothelioma is classified into three types based on the type of cells that are found in the tissue sample Epithelioid is the most frequent mesothelioma type and responds well to treatment Sarcomatoid is the rarest and has a poorer prognosis In many cases, mesothelioma misdiagnosis can happen because the symptoms are similar to those of other ailments and cancers This is particularly true for mesothelioma, which could be mistakenly identified as lung cancer, or other conditions such as pneumonia and bronchitis The wrong diagnosis of mesothelioma could delay treatment, which could improve your chances of survival It is essential to visit an GP or specialist whenever you notice any unusual symptoms, and inform them about your previous exposure to asbestos Treatment Mesothelioma is a cancer of the thin layer of tissues that line organs' internal organs such as the lungs and abdomen It is a rare type of cancer that could be fatal It is caused by asbestos exposure Combination therapies can be beneficial for people diagnosed mesothelioma It is important to get an early diagnosis of mesothelioma as possible Mesothelioma may be a slow-growing disease and, therefore, symptoms may not manifest for decades after the initial exposure A doctor can identify Mesothelioma based on an examination of the medical history and physical exam and imaging tests The X-rays or other scans could reveal the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity They can also show signs such as a cough or wheezing, or chest pain Doctors can also determine a patient's stage of mesothelioma The staging system determines what treatments are available and how likely the cancer will spread The most frequent mesothelioma form is found in the linings of the lungs Another type is peritoneal mesothelioma, which is found in the abdomen's lining Biphasic Mesothelioma is the 3rd kind that is a mix of epithelioid sarcomatoid sarcoma It occurs in 10 cases of mesothelioma Doctors perform a biopsy when a patient displays signs of mesothelioma A biopsy is the process of removing a small amount usually less than a few milliliters of tissue or fluid to be examined under microscope This test will reveal the cells that are characteristic of mesothelioma Some people who have a mesothelioma of the pleural will undergo surgery to remove the affected lining of their lung This procedure is known as pleurodesis, and it can be done with or without chemotherapy The majority of times, a procedure like this requires an experienced surgical team in mesothelioma treatment Patients suffering from this disease could also undergo different surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation Other treatment options include immunotherapy, which seeks to increase the body's natural defenses against the cancer, and gene therapy, which involves injecting modified viruses into the body of the patient to help suppress tumor growth Prognosis Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is found in the thin layer of tissue that covers several organs, such as the lungs, abdomen and the heart Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of Mesothelioma Blue-collar workers employed asbestos-containing products for their work from the 1930s until the 1980s Those workers may have inhaled or swallowed tiny asbestos fibers that were absorbed into the tissues Patients suffering from mesothelioma typically suffer from symptoms that last for many years before being diagnosed A person diagnosed with mesothelioma is subjected to a physical examination by a doctor in order to detect symptoms and determine the severity of the disease The doctor will also look over a patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed after a patient is diagnosed with persistent symptoms, like chest pain or breathing difficulties The doctor will recommend imaging scans such as the CT, MRI, or PET positron-emission tomography to assess the health of the patient and determine the best treatments These tests can help doctors eliminate other illnesses with similar symptoms, like pneumonia or lung cancer These tests also aid in identifying the different types of mesothelioma as well as determining the stage and grade Pleural mesothelioma can be easier to treat than other mesothelioma types Asbestos patients diagnosed with peritoneal or testicular mesothelioma may have a longer treatment and may have a lower life time Mesothelioma patients who are at the very beginning of their cancer have the highest chance for survival This is because a small area of cancer is more straightforward to treat than a large one that has spread to multiple parts of the body Family members of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are at higher risk than other individuals of developing the mesothelioma This is because family members are more likely to be exposed to asbestos in the secondhand, for example when a worker who was exposed brought home asbestos fibers in their hair or clothing The exposure to asbestos of a spouse, ***** or sibling could increase the risk of mesothelioma