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Mesothelioma Asbestosis Symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis may be similar. Both are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers and dust. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may receive treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Mesothelioma has four stages that show how the cancer has spread. Doctors utilize staging to determine the best treatment options and life expectancies. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It is typically found in the linings of the lungs, chest cavity and abdomen (pleura), although it can also affect membranes that connect the heart (pericardium) or abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma can be malignant. This means it is able to grow and spread outside of its original site. The first sign 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. If a patient is experiencing these symptoms, their physician might refer them to a specialist for treatment. The specialist will conduct several tests to determine if the symptoms are caused by mesothelioma or another type of cancer. The doctor will use imaging scans to look inside the abdomen, lungs or the heart, and then perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis. When it comes to pleural mesothelioma doctors have two primary surgical options which include an extrapleural phlemonectomy (EPP) which eliminates the tumour and part of the affected lung, as well as the diaphragm, and a small portion of the lining of the heart; and a pleurectomy with pulmonary decortication (P/D) that removes the pleura but not the entire lung that is affected. Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. The former sends high-energy X-rays towards cancerous cells to kill them, and the latter makes use of drugs such as pemetrexed and carboplatin to kill cancerous cells or slow their growth. Patients should inform their doctor about any previous asbestos exposure. This is vital because mesothelioma is a cancer that can be diagnosed as early as 20 years after initial exposure. The doctor will also ask about the frequency and duration of exposure as these factors can affect the development of symptoms. If your GP suspects that you are suffering from mesothelioma, they'll order an CT scan in order to determine how much the cancer has spread across the body. If mesothelioma has spread to the lung, a bronchoscopy should be performed to check the lungs' airways and lymph nodes. In certain cases, a physician may recommend a PET-CT or chest MRI scan to determine if cancer has been able to spread to your heart. Diagnosis The most effective method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma involves taking samples of tissue or fluid. Doctors will use this sample to identify cancerous cells that differ from normal cells. A biopsy can be done surgically or with a needle. Doctors may also utilize imaging tests, such as x-rays and CT scans to identify mesothelioma. They may also do the positron emission (PET) scan which can be used to find cancerous cells that have expanded. The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to symptoms of other diseases, making it difficult to diagnose. For instance, the chest pain associated mesothelioma may be misinterpreted as heart disease or lung cancer. Pleural effusion, a condition caused by asbestos, can be misinterpreted as pneumonia or bronchitis. If doctors suspect that a patient has mesothelioma, they will inquire about the person's past exposure to asbestos and the symptoms. They will also conduct an examination and collect a medical history of the patient's family's medical history. The doctor will then conduct blood and urine tests to look for elevated levels of certain proteins. These tests can be done in the hospital or at home. These tests can help doctors determine the level of asbestos in the body as well as how the other organs are performing. They will also ask whether the patient has undergone any previous surgery. A CT scan and chest x-ray are performed to check for signs of mesothelioma. If doctors suspect pericardial Mesothelioma they usually conduct an echocardiogram. This is a test that makes use of sound waves to create an image of the heart. A MRI scan could be helpful in the case of pleural mesothelioma since it provides detailed images of soft tissues. It is also possible to perform a mediastinoscopy, which involves inserting a tube with cameras and a light inside the chest to look at and sample lymph nodes in the middle of the chest. This is particularly helpful in cases where mesothelioma has spread to these regions. Treatment Mesothelioma is a slow-moving respiratory disease. However there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life. To relieve fatigue and lung pain, doctors can use medications, fluid draining techniques or surgery. Doctors also can help patients cope with the loss of their normal energy levels and how that impacts their daily activities. The first step in treating mesothelioma is to determine whether cancerous cells are present. A biopsy is the most effective method to determine. When they perform a biopsy, physicians will take a small amount of mesothelium to examine under the microscope. They will look for cancerous cells. A biopsy is usually done by surgery, however, doctors may also perform the procedure known as thoracentesis. This involves inserting a needle in the chest to remove an amount of fluid to test. A surgeon might decide, after the test results have been received to remove any affected part of the body. This is typically done for pleural mesothelioma, however, it can be used to treat peritoneal cancer as well. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's lining (pleura). Peritoneal Mesothelioma is caused asbestos fibers that are ingested into the digestive tract. After surgery, patients can take steps to improve their level of comfort. These include taking napping earlier in the day, arranging excursions to the mall and other activities when they are feeling stronger and taking part in light exercises to lessen fatigue. Patients can also inquire with their doctor about clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments. These trials study new mesothelioma treatments that have not yet been approved by the FDA. Other treatments, such as radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, could be available. Grand Rapids asbestos lawyers uses drugs to kill cancer cells, while radiation and immunotherapy increase the body's natural defense systems against the cancer. Targeted therapy is the use of specific drugs to target the weaknesses within mesothelioma cancer cells. Every patient's situation is unique. It is crucial to discuss with a mesothelioma expert all possible treatment options. Prognosis A prognosis is an estimate of how far a mesothelioma has spread and what the best treatment options will be. It also indicates how long patients can expect to live with mesothelioma. The health of the patient is another factor that affects their mesothelioma prognosis. Fitter people with better blood tests, like normal haemoglobin levels and higher white and platelet counts are likely to have a higher chance of surviving the disease. They will also be better in their ability to handle chemotherapy and surgery than those with lower general health. Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor which is agressive tumor and has a less favorable prognosis often than other cancers. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed much later, when the cancer has already spread to other areas of the body. Mesothelioma is also a challenging cancer to detect because the symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases. In certain cases it could take years from the moment asbestos exposure is discovered until a person develops mesothelioma. There are two main kinds of mesothelioma; pleural mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Both are triggered by exposure to asbestos. It is a kind of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells that cover the majority of the body's internal organs. When a person has mesothelioma of the pleural region, it affects the membrane that surrounds the chest cavity (pleura). It may also affect the membranes that surround the heart (pericardium) as well as those around the testicles. Asbestosis is not a form of mesothelioma. However, it has similar symptoms as mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung problems including scarring and stiffness. Both mesothelioma as well as asbestosis can occur at the same time. Only people who have been exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma. It usually develops on the chest wall and abdomen. It is not caused from smoking, and a majority of those with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos at work. People who smoke and also those with other diseases such as diabetes or heart disease may be more likely to develop mesothelioma than others.