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Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatment When mesothelioma's first symptoms are identified doctors will order imaging scans to check for any cancerous growths on the abdomen or chest. Mesothelioma symptoms could be mistaken for other diseases such as pneumonia or lung cancer. A biopsy will be performed by the doctor to diagnose mesothelioma. There are glendale mesothelioma attorneys : epithelial (epidermal) and Sarcomatoid (sarcoma) and biphasic. Each type responds to treatment differently and has a different impact on the life expectancy. Diagnosis Doctors will conduct a variety of tests if mesothelioma is suspected. This may include chest X ray, CT scans, and biopsies. The X-ray reveals an accumulation of fluid on the chest's left side. This is called the pleural effusion, and is usually the first sign of mesothelioma. The X-rays aren't always the most reliable method of diagnosis. A chest CT scan is the next step. This produces a precise image of your organs and lungs. A doctor will inject you with a dye to identify any areas that might be cancerous. During the CT scan, you'll be passed through a doughnut-shaped scanner as you lie on a mattress. The procedure only takes a few moments and isn't uncomfortable for those who suffer from claustrophobia. In certain situations the doctor may also conduct an MRI. These scans create high-quality images with radio waves and strong magnetic fields. An MRI can be used to locate mesothelioma in the diaphragm as well as determine the stage of the disease. Certain patients might also require a PET scan. You will receive a radioactive substance in this test. Cancer cells absorb the dye in greater quantities than healthy ones which is why they appear brighter in the images. A biopsy is the most definitive test to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. A doctor will remove a small amount of the affected lining, which will then be tested under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present. This can be done under local anaesthesia and by using a CT scan or a needle. The doctor will rely on the results from other tests to determine that you have mesothelioma. This stage defines the severity of the mesothelioma, and what treatment is the best for you. This guide includes an area titled Staging that will teach you more about staging. Treatment There are several treatment options for mesothelioma. Some can improve the quality of life and extend life for a longer amount of time than others. Mesothelioma patients should discuss their goals with their medical team to determine the most effective approach. Surgery can be used to treat mesothelioma. During this procedure surgeons attempt to remove all cancerous tissues. However when mesothelioma is at an advanced stage, it's unlikely that doctors will be able to completely eliminate the tumor. However, surgeons can reduce the symptoms. The most commonly-used mesothelioma is found in the lining around the lungs. In some instances it is possible for a patient to develop mesothelioma inside the membrane surrounding the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). In rare cases there is also the possibility that a person could have mesothelioma affecting the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments are typically administered by mesothelioma specialists at special centers. Chemotherapy is a method of killing mesothelioma tumor cells and stop their growth. The drug combination of pemetrexed and Cisplatin is a standard first-line treatment for pleural mesothelioma. Radiation therapy employs high-energy beams to destroy cancerous cells. This procedure is typically used alongside other mesothelioma treatments, like chemotherapy and surgery. It can also be used to eliminate any microscopically residual mesothelioma which surgeons could not remove during surgery. These treatments can have numerous adverse effects on patients with mesothelioma. They may experience nausea, fatigue and loss. A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients select the appropriate treatment for their specific requirements. They can also suggest alternative ways to enhance a patient's quality of life. This may include regular pleural drainage to ease breathing, or strong painkillers. Patients should inform their physicians know about any other medications, including supplements, herbal remedies or over-the counter drugs. This will ensure that there aren't any potentially dangerous interactions between these drugs. Prognosis Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, affects mesothelium which is a membrane that lines our body's cavities such as the chest and abdominal cavity. When a person gets mesothelioma malignant cells grow in this tissue and spread to other parts of the body and cause symptoms like breathing difficulties and pain. It is very important to have a mesothelioma diagnosis from a specialist doctor because this is the initial step to receiving treatment. It could take a number of steps to diagnose mesothelioma, including a physical exam and lab tests, as well as the biopsy. A biopsy is a small sample taken from the tumor or mass to test for mesothelioma. Getting a mesothelioma misdiagnosis can be very risky because it could delay treatment and even worsen the likelihood of a positive outcome. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may mimic lung cancer or common ailments like pneumonia or bronchitis. Because of this, mesothelioma can be mistakenly diagnosed as respiratory diseases. The prognosis of mesothelioma depends on the type and stage, along with the patient's age, general health and medical history. The cancer can be controlled by chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Palliative care is available for patients to control symptoms such as fatigue, pain and other signs and symptoms. The mesothelioma stage is a measure of how far the disease has spread and how much it has already advanced. A doctor will employ their best judgment to determine the stage taking into consideration the symptoms and the speed at which the cancer is growing. The mesothelioma survival rate depends on the stage of the patient and type of cancer, and the location. The prognosis for patients diagnosed with less frequent types of mesothelioma are less favorable. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, for instance have a higher chance of surviving longer due to the fact that it is more likely to develop in the abdomen than pleural mesothelioma does in the chest. Patients with an increased tolerance to treatment might also live longer than those who have an insufficient tolerance. People with peritoneal Msothelioma had good results when they combined chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Symptoms Asbestos fibers may cause tumors within organs when inhaled, or swallowed. Mesothelioma is the most common type of cancer in the lungs, however it can also be found in the chest wall, abdomen and testicles (in men). Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't manifest until 40-50 years after exposure. The first step to determine if you have mesothelioma involves taking a medical background of exposure to asbestos. Your doctor will then conduct an examination of your body and discuss your symptoms. A chest Xray can reveal abnormal growth of the pleura, or fluid in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. A lung CT scan can also be used to check for mesothelioma or other types of cancer of the lungs. You could have blood tests to assess the health of your liver and kidneys. The doctor could request an chest MRI or a PET scan, to look for any other cancers that could be present or mesothelioma within the lungs or the chest wall. If a biopsy is required doctors can take a sample of the tumor with surgery or an instrument that is inserted through the chest wall under local anesthesia. The doctor will then examine the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if the tumor is malignant mesothelioma, or a different form of cancer. Following a diagnosis of mesothelioma, doctors use the information from all tests to help them assess how advanced the cancer is. They will assign mesothelioma a staging number, which can be useful in planning your treatment. They are not cancerous, and they don't have the potential to grow back when surgically removed. They typically form in the abdominal lining, or pleura. Because it affects the heart, mesothelioma which forms in the pericardium can be more difficult to treat. It may also recur after surgery. Mesothelioma can also spread other body parts such as the lymph nodes that are that are located outside the chest and abdomen. It can be hard to diagnose mesothelioma because of the similarity of symptoms to other conditions that are not as serious. This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and delay treatment. In the event of delay, treatment may lead to complications and reduce the chances of surviving.