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Mesothelioma Asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma as well as asbestosis may be similar. Both diseases are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers as well as dust. Pleural mesothelioma can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. The four stages of mesothelioma show the extent of the cancer's spread. Doctors use staging in order to determine the best treatment options and life expectancies. 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 linings of the lungs, the abdomen and chest cavity (pleura) however, it can also affect membranes that line the heart (pericardium) or abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma can be malignant. This means it can grow and spread outside of its original site. The first sign is usually a cough that doesn't produce phlegm. Other symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness and weight loss. Some patients may experience swelling or lumps on the abdomen. If a patient has these symptoms, their physician may refer them to a specialist treatment. The specialist will run an array of tests to determine whether mesothelioma, or other cancers are responsible for the. The imaging scanners are used to see inside stomachs, lungs, or heart and then perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. In the case of pleural mesothelioma there are two primary surgical options. Extrapleural pneumonectomy eliminates part of the lung affected, including the diaphragm, as well as a part lining the heart. A pleurectomy or pulmonary decortication eliminates only the pleura, but not the whole lung. Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. The first makes use of high-energy X radiation to kill cancerous cells. The second uses drugs such as pemetrexed or carboplatin in order to destroy cancerous cells or stop their growth. Patients should inform their doctor when they've been exposed to asbestos. This is important because mesothelioma can grow up to 20 years after initial exposure. The doctor will also inquire about the frequency and duration of exposure as these factors can impact the development of symptoms. If the GP suspects mesothelioma, they will arrange for a CT scan to see how far the cancer has spread in the body. If the mesothelioma is in the lungs, they will also perform a bronchoscopy examine the airways of the lungs and lymph nodes. In some cases doctors may suggest a PET-CT or chest MRI scan to determine if cancer has spread to your heart. Diagnosis The best method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma involves taking an amount of tissue or fluid. This sample is used by doctors to check for cancerous cells that differ from normal cells. A biopsy can be done surgically or by inserting a needle. To detect mesothelioma in patients, doctors may use imaging tests, such as CT scans and x-rays. They can also perform a positron emission tomography (PET) scan that is used to identify cancerous cells that have been spreading. Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. The chest pain that is associated with mesothelioma may be misinterpreted as heart disease or lung carcinoma. Additionally asbestos-related conditions such as pleural effusion can be mistaken for pneumonia or bronchitis. If doctors suspect a person has mesothelioma, they will inquire about their previous exposure to asbestos and the symptoms. The doctor will also conduct an examination of the body and inquire about the medical history of the family members. The doctor will conduct blood and urine testing to look for elevated levels. These tests can be conducted in a hospital setting or at home. These tests will allow doctors to determine the amount of asbestos in the body and how well other organs function. They will also want to know if the patient has had any prior surgeries. A chest x-ray as well as a CT scan are also taken to check for signs of mesothelioma like a thickening of the membrane that surrounds the lungs. Doctors typically conduct an echocardiogram, a test which uses sound waves to create an image of the heart, if they believe that a person has pericardial cancer. In cases of pleural msothelioma an MRI scan may prove helpful since it provides precise images of the soft tissues. They can also perform a mediastinoscopy, which involves placing a tube with cameras and a light inside the chest to study and sample lymph nodes in the center of the chest. lowell asbestos lawyer is especially beneficial in cases where mesothelioma has spread to these areas. Treatment Mesothelioma asbestosis is a slow-moving respiratory disease, however there are treatments that can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. To ease discomfort and fatigue doctors can employ drugs, techniques for draining fluids, or surgery. Doctors can also assist patients deal with their loss of energy and how it affects their daily life. The first step to treat mesothelioma is to find out if cancerous cells are present. A biopsy is the best method to determine. During a biopsy, doctors will take a small piece of mesothelium to examine under the microscope. They are looking for cancerous cells. A biopsy is usually performed by surgery, however, doctors may also perform the thoracentesis procedure. This involves inserting a needle in the chest to extract an amount of fluid to be tested. A surgeon might decide, once test results have been confirmed to remove any affected parts of the body. This is usually done for pleural mesothelioma, but it is sometimes performed to treat peritoneal mesothelioma as well. Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lining (pleura) of the lungs. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is caused asbestos fibers that are ingested into the digestive tract. After surgery, patients can take steps to increase their comfort level. These include taking napping earlier in the day, planning shopping trips and other activities when they feel more energetic and engaging in moderate exercise to reduce fatigue. Patients can also inquire with their doctor about clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments. These trials focus on new mesothelioma treatment options which aren't yet approved by the FDA. Other treatments, like radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, may be available. Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancer cells, whereas radiation and immunotherapy boost the body's natural defense systems against the cancer. Targeted therapy is the use of specific medications 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 expert. Prognosis A prognosis is an approximate estimation of the extent to which mesothelioma grows and the treatment options available. It can also indicate how long patients can expect to be afflicted by mesothelioma. The general health of a patient can be an element in their prognosis for mesothelioma. Healthier patients with more accurate blood tests, including normal haemoglobin, as well as higher white and platelet counts are likely to have a higher chance of beating the cancer. They will also be able to tolerate the effects of chemotherapy and surgery better than those who have lower general health. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is aggressive that often has a worse prognosis than other kinds of cancer. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed later, once the disease has already spread to other areas of the body. Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer to detect because the symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases. In some instances, it can take decades from the moment asbestos exposure begins until mesothelioma develops in a patient. There are two major types of mesothelioma, pleural mesotheliom and mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Both are the result of exposure to asbestos. It is a type of cancer that affects mesothelial cells which cover most of the body's internal organs. The cancerous cells that cause pleural mesothelioma affect the membrane that line the chest cavity. It may also affect the membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardium) or the membrane around the testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Asbestosis does not exhibit the same symptoms as mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung problems like stiffness and scarring. It is possible to contract both asbestosis and mesothelioma simultaneously. Only asbestos-exposed people are at risk of developing mesothelioma. It is most often found in the chest lining stomach, abdomen and other organs. It is not caused from smoking cigarettes, and the majority of people with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos in their work. Smokers and also those with other diseases such as diabetes or heart disease may be more likely to develop mesothelioma than others.