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Mesothelioma Asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis are often similar. This is due to the fact that both conditions are caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibers. People who have pleural mesothelioma may receive treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The four stages of mesothelioma reveal the extent of the cancer's spread. Doctors employ staging to determine treatments and life expectation. Symptoms Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It most often affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura) however, it can also affect the membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or around the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma can be malignant. This means it has the ability to grow and spread outside of its original location. The first sign of a non-phlegmatic cough is quite common. Other symptoms include breathlessness, weight loss and fatigue. In certain cases patients, they experience swelling or lumps in the abdomen. If a patient is experiencing these symptoms, their physician may refer them to a specialist treatment. The specialist will conduct several tests to determine whether the symptoms are due to mesothelioma or another type of cancer. They will use imaging scanners to look inside stomachs, lungs, or heart and will perform a biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis. When it comes to pleural mesothelioma, doctors have two surgical options: an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) which eliminates the tumor and a portion of the lung affected, the diaphragm, and a small portion of the lining the heart and a pleurectomy accompanied by pulmonary decortication (P/D), which removes the pleura but not the entire lung that is affected. Other forms of treatment include chemotherapy and radiation. The former directs high-energy X-rays toward cancer cells to destroy them, while the latter utilizes drugs such as carboplatin and pemetrexed to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Patients should inform their doctor about any prior asbestos exposure. This is crucial, since mesothelioma can develop in the years that follow the initial asbestos exposure. The doctor will ask about the frequency of exposure and the duration of exposure, as these factors can influence the development of symptoms. If the GP suspects mesothelioma, they will arrange an CT scan to see how the cancer has spread throughout the body. If mesothelioma has spread to the lung, they'll conduct a bronchoscopy procedure to look at the lungs' airways as well as lymph nodes. In certain cases, the doctor may also recommend a chest MRI or PET-CT scan to assess if the cancer has spread to the heart. Diagnosis The most reliable method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is to obtain a tissue or fluid sample. Doctors make use of this sample to look for cancerous cells that differ from normal cells. A biopsy can be performed surgically or with a needle. To detect mesothelioma in patients, doctors may use imaging tests like CT scans and x-rays. They can also perform an positron emission tomography (PET) scan which can be used to find cancerous cells that have been spreading. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other diseases which makes it difficult to determine. For example, the chest pain associated with mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as lung cancer or heart disease. Pleural effusion, which is a condition caused by asbestos, can be misinterpreted as pneumonia or bronchitis. If illinois asbestos attorneys suspect that a patient is suffering from mesothelioma, they will inquire about the patient's prior exposure to asbestos, and their symptoms. The doctor will also perform an examination of the body and inquire about the medical history of family members. The doctor will then request urine and blood tests to look for elevated levels of certain proteins. These tests can be conducted in the hospital or even at home. These tests can help doctors determine the level of asbestos in the body and how the other organs are performing. They will also ask whether the patient has undergone any prior surgery. A CT scan and chest x-ray will be done to look for signs of mesothelioma. If doctors suspect pericardial Mesothelioma they usually request an echocardiogram. This is a test which uses sound waves to create an image of the heart. In the case of pleural mesothelioma, an MRI scan could be beneficial because it gives detailed images of the soft tissues. Mediastinoscopy can be performed by inserting a tube with a camera and light inside the chest to look at and sample the lymph nodes near the center. This is especially beneficial when mesothelioma is spreading to these areas. Treatment Mesothelioma asbestosis is a slow-paced respiratory disease, however there are treatment options to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Doctors may use medications, fluid drainage techniques surgery, or a combination of these methods to relieve lung pain and fatigue. Doctors can also help patients cope with the loss of their normal energy levels and how it affects their daily routine. The first step in treating mesothelioma is to find out if cancerous cells are present. The best method for doing that is by taking an examination. During a biopsy, doctors will take a small amount of mesothelium and examine it under a microscope. They are looking for cancerous cells. A biopsy is typically done by surgery, however, doctors may also perform a procedure called thoracentesis. This involves inserting a needle into the chest to extract an amount of fluid to test. Once the test results are back the surgeon could decide to remove any part of the body affected by the mesothelioma asbestosis. This is most often performed to treat pleural mesothelioma however, it can be performed to treat peritoneal mesothelioma as well. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's lining (pleura). Peritoneal mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers are ingested and trapped in the digestive tract. After surgery, patients can make steps to increase their comfort. These include taking naps earlier in the day, planning shopping trips and other activities when they are feeling stronger, and participating in light exercises to lessen fatigue. Patients may also inquire about clinical trials for the treatment of mesothelioma by speaking with their healthcare provider. These trials study new mesothelioma treatments that have not yet been approved by the FDA. Other treatments, like radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, may be available. The use of radiation and immunotherapy is to enhance the body's natural defence mechanisms against cancer. Targeted therapy is the use of specific drugs to target weaknesses in mesothelioma cancer cells. Every patient's situation is distinct. It is important to talk to a mesothelioma professional about all possible treatment options. Prognosis A prognosis is a measure of how far a mesothelioma has spread and what the best treatment options would be. It can also tell how long patients will have to be afflicted by mesothelioma. A patient's general health is a different factor in their mesothelioma prognosis. Patients who are healthier and have better blood tests like a normal level of haemoglobin and higher white cell and platelet counts will have a higher chance of beating mesothelioma. They also will be more tolerant of chemotherapy and surgeries better than those who have lower general health. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is aggressive that often has a worse prognosis than other forms of cancer. This is due to the fact that it is often diagnosed later after the cancer has already progressed. Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. In some cases it can take a long time from the point that asbestos exposure begins until a person develops mesothelioma. There are two main types of mesothelioma: pleural mesotheliom and mesothelioma peritoneal. Both are caused from asbestos exposure. The mesothelial tissue that covers the majority of the internal organs in the body. The cancerous cells that cause mesothelioma pleural affect the membrane that line the chest cavity. It can also affect the membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardium) or the testicles' membrane (testicular mesothelioma). Asbestosis is not a form of mesothelioma, but it does have similar symptoms to mesothelioma. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and it can cause lung problems, including the formation of scarring and stiffness of the lung. Both asbestosis and mesothelioma can occur at the same time. Mesothelioma cancer can only be found in people who have been exposed to asbestos. It usually develops on the chest lining and abdomen. It is not triggered by smoking and most people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos while they worked. Smokers and also those with other illnesses like diabetes or heart disease may be more likely to develop mesothelioma more than other people.