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Mesothelioma Asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis may be similar. Both conditions are caused from exposure to asbestos fibers as well as dust. Pleural mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy, surgery or radiation. Mesothelioma has four stages that show how the cancer has spread. Doctors make use of staging to determine treatment options and the life expectation. 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 most commonly found in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura), but can also affect the membrane that lines 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 sign is usually a cough that doesn't produce phlegm. charlotte asbestos law firm include shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss. In certain cases patients, there is lumps or swelling in their abdomen. A patient's physician may refer them to specialists if they're experiencing these symptoms. The specialist will conduct an array of tests to determine if mesothelioma or other cancers are responsible for the. They will use imaging scans to examine the lungs, abdomen or the heart, and then perform biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. When it is pleural mesothelioma that needs to be treated, doctors have two surgical options which include an extrapleural phlemonectomy (EPP) which eliminates the tumour and part of the affected lung, the diaphragm, and a small part of the lining of the heart; and a pleurectomy with pulmonary decortication (P/D) which eliminates the pleura but not the entire affected lung. Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. The first uses high-energy X radiation to kill cancerous cells. The second utilizes drugs like carboplatin or pemetrexed to destroy cancerous cells or slow their growth. Patients should inform their doctor about any prior asbestos exposure. This is vital since mesothelioma may be diagnosed as early as 20 years after initial exposure. The doctor will ask about the frequency of exposure and the duration of exposure, as these factors could influence the symptoms of development. If your GP suspects that you are suffering from mesothelioma, they'll order an CT scan to determine how far the cancer has spread throughout the body. If the mesothelioma has spread to the lung, a bronchoscopy should be performed to check the airways of the lungs and lymph nodes. In certain instances doctors may suggest a PET-CT or chest MRI scan to determine if the cancer has developed to the heart. Diagnosis The most effective method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma involves taking samples of fluid or tissue. The sample is used by doctors to look for cancerous cells that differ from normal ones. A biopsy can be done surgically or with a needle. To detect mesothelioma, doctors can use imaging tests like CT scans and x-rays. They may also perform the positron emission tomography scan (PET), which can be used to detect cancerous cells. Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms may be similar to other conditions. For example the chest pain that is associated mesothelioma may be mistaken for lung cancer or heart disease. 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 inquire about the patient's previous exposure to asbestos and their symptoms. They will also perform an examination of the body and take a history of the patient's family's medical history. The doctor will conduct blood and urine testing to check for elevated levels. These tests can be performed in the hospital or at home. These tests will allow doctors to determine the amount of asbestos in the body and also how well other organs are functioning. They also need to find out if the patient been through any surgeries previously. A chest xray and CT scan are taken to check for signs of mesothelioma such as a thickening of the membrane that surrounds the lungs. Doctors typically conduct an echocardiogram, a test which uses sound waves to create a picture of the heart, in case they believe that a person has pericardial cancer. A MRI scan might be useful in the event of pleural mesothelioma since it can provide detailed images of soft tissues. Mediastinoscopy can be performed, which involves inserting a tube that contains cameras and a light inside the chest in order to examine and sample the lymph nodes located close to the middle. This is especially helpful if the mesothelioma has spread to these regions. Treatment Mesothelioma asbestosis is a slow-moving respiratory illness, but there are treatment options that can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Doctors can use methods for fluid drainage, medications, surgeries or a combination of these methods to alleviate fatigue and lung pain. Doctors can also help patients deal with the loss of normal energy levels and how it affects their daily routine. The first step to treating mesothelioma involves determining if cancerous cells are present. The best method for doing this is to take an examination. The biopsy will take a small amount of mesothelium, and examine it under a microscope in order to determine whether there are any cancerous cells. A biopsy is typically done by surgery, however, doctors can also perform a procedure known as thoracentesis. This involves inserting a needle into the chest in order to remove fluid samples for testing. When the test results are back, a surgeon may decide to remove any parts of the body affected by the mesothelioma asbestosis. This is typically done for pleural mesothelioma, but it is sometimes performed to treat peritoneal mesothelioma as well. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs (pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers are inhaled and become trapped in the digestive tract. Patients can take steps after surgery to improve their level of ease. You can do this by taking breaks in the morning, making trips to the store and other activities when you are feeling better and doing light exercise. Patients can also inquire about clinical trials that are being conducted for the treatment of mesothelioma with their healthcare provider. These trials are studies on new mesothelioma treatment options that haven't yet been approved by FDA. Other treatments are also available, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as well as immunotherapy. Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancer cells, whereas radiation and immunotherapy enhance the body's natural defense systems against the cancer. Targeted therapy is the use of specific drugs to combat the weaknesses of mesothelioma cancer cells. Since each patient and situation is different, it is essential to discuss all treatment options with a mesothelioma specialist. Prognosis A prognosis is a measure of how far a mesothelioma has spread and what the best treatment options will be. It can also tell patients how long they should anticipate living after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. The general health of a patient is a factor in the prognosis of mesothelioma. People who are fitter and have better blood tests like normal haemoglobin levels and higher platelet and white cells counts will have a higher chance of beating mesothelioma. They are also more tolerant of chemotherapy and surgery better than those who have poorer general health. Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor that is extremely aggressive and has a poorer prognosis than other types of cancer. This is mainly due to the fact that it is often diagnosed much later, after the cancer has already progressed. Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of many other illnesses. In some cases it can take years for a person to develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos. There are two main types of mesothelioma; pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Both are triggered by asbestos exposure. It is a kind of cancer that affects the mesothelial cell that covers the majority of the body's internal organs. If a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleural region, it affects the membrane that lines the chest cavity (pleura). It can also affect the membranes that surround the heart (pericardium), or those around the testicles. Asbestosis is not a type of mesothelioma but it has similar symptoms to mesothelioma. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and it can lead to lung issues, such as the development of scarring and stiffness in the lungs. Both mesothelioma and asbestosis can be present at the same time. Only asbestos-exposed people are at risk of developing mesothelioma. It typically develops on the lining of the chest and abdomen. It is not caused by smoking and most people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos while they were working. Smokers or suffer from other conditions like diabetes or heart disease could be more likely to develop mesothelioma more than other people.