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Mesothelioma Mesothelioma, a cancerous condition that is caused by asbestos exposure is a naturally occurring cancer. lexington mesothelioma lawsuit develops many years after exposure. Doctors treat mesothelioma by using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Treatment can help patients live longer. There are three kinds of mesothelioma. The type of cell forms the tumor and its stage affects prognosis. What is Mesothelioma? The mesothelioma cancerous form forms in the mesothelium (a thin layer of tissue lining organs within the body). It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a class of fibrous minerals. The exposure to asbestos typically occurs when people swallow or inhale stray asbestos fibers. These asbestos particles adhere to the organ's lining and can cause irritation, leading to tumors. Mesothelioma is diagnosed when doctors look at the tumors and collect an x-ray of the tissue, known as biopsy. Mesothelioma is classified by type depending on the type of cells that are found in the tumors. The three mesothelioma types are epithelial (also called sarcomatoid) triphasic, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Epithelial Mesothelioma comprises about 50% of all diagnoses. Sarcomatoid cancer accounts for 10 percent of cases and has a lower prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma has a mixture of epithelial as well as sarcomatoid cells and is responsible for 30 to 40% of all diagnoses. Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, abdominal pain, and breathing problems. These symptoms are similar to symptoms of other diseases, so it is important to see the doctor if you experience these symptoms. Treatment for mesothelioma could alleviate symptoms, slow tumour growth and make it easier for patients to live longer. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Patients can also receive palliative care, which can help to manage discomfort and pain. Doctors continue to research ways to treat mesothelioma and how it can spread. The latest treatments include immunotherapy, which uses your body's own immune system to fight cancer. This is a trial treatment that has shown promise for a few mesothelioma patients. Patients are also able to take part in clinical trials, which are studies on new treatments. Patients with mesothelioma are often treated at cancer centers that have physicians who treat this condition. Diagnosis A mesothelioma diagnosis is the initial step to receiving treatment that will prolong your life span. Your doctor will begin by examining your health history and symptoms before determining what type of mesothelioma you're suffering from. This is important because the three primary mesothelioma cell types respond differently to treatment. Your doctor may order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan as the first test. During the procedure, you lie on a table as the X-ray or CT machine takes a clear image of your chest as well as the organs that surround it. Prior to the procedure, a small dose of dye, usually iodine is given. This makes the tissue of your abdomen or chest lighter and makes it easier to see. During this period, you might be asked to do a breathing test. If these tests show the possibility of a tumor, or mass that could be cancerous, your physician may decide to take biopsy. A biopsy involves removing the mass or tumor, either surgically or by inserting a needle into the area. The specimen is then examined under a microscope for mesothelioma. Our specialists can use ultrasound to find lymph nodes that have enlarged which could be mesothelioma. This procedure is referred to as endobronchial ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy or EBNA. It is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you are able to go home the same day. A specialist in mesothelioma will also require the stage of the disease. The stages are determined by the extent to which the cancer has spread and the kind of mesothelioma is it. Getting an accurate diagnosis from a mesothelioma specialist is the best way to make sure that you receive the proper treatment. Treatment A patient's mesothelioma treatment plan is based on how far the disease has advanced and their overall health. Patients who have mesothelioma usually receive multimodal treatment that includes chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. The first step to treat mesothelioma is getting an examination of the body and informing the doctor about any past exposure to asbestos. Doctors can also request imaging scans or blood tests to check for mesothelioma, and to rule out other conditions. These include CT (computerized Tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic-resonance imaging) scans, FDG-PET scans (fluorodeoxyglucose Postron emission Tomography) and mediastinoscopy. Surgery is a viable option for the majority of pleural mesothelioma cases. Patients can undergo a minimally-invasive procedure known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAT) or a CT-guided needle biopsy. Both surgeries can improve the life expectancy of a patient and decrease symptoms. Chemotherapy utilizes drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from advancing. It is a standard mesothelioma treatment and can prolong survival. It can be administered via intravenous drip (IV) or in pill form. Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment which can shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It can be used to treat pleural tumors at different stages, and also to reduce pain and prolong the life span of patients. In the last stages of mesothelioma, doctors usually focus on reducing symptoms and prolonging the patient's life to the maximum extent possible. Palliative care is the term used to describe the process of this kind of treatment. While the mesothelioma average survival rate is low but there are a lot of survivors. Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with Peritoneal Peritoneal Cancer in 1982. He lived for another 20 years until he died of complications from a different illness. Symptoms A lot of people with mesothelioma suffer symptoms for months or even years before they are diagnosed. The initial symptoms are similar to those triggered by other diseases and it is easy to ignore or confuse them for minor ailments. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important that you see your doctor immediately. Organs in your body are encased in a layer of tissue known as mesothelium. This layer keeps them from colliding. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the mesothel which form the lining of a number of your organs. Most mesothelioma cases begin in the lining around your lungs, however it may also be found in the lining of your heart (pericardium) or abdomen (peritoneum) and within the lining surrounding your testicles (tunica vaginalis). The initial symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, chest pain, and breathlessness. Mesothelioma can also cause fluid buildup in the lungs or chest wall that can lead to pleural effusion. Pleural effusions can put pressure on the lungs, leading to coughing and breathing difficulties. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by taking an individual's medical history before doing an exam. They may ask for chest X-rays that can reveal abnormalities such as thickening of the lung lining, or the accumulation of fluid in the chest wall. They can also order an CT scan, MRI or PET scan to gain a better view at your lungs or other tissues. They can also use ultrasound-guided needles to remove fluid from the peritoneum and pleura. A biopsy can help determine the mesothelioma type that is forming the tumor and how it is growing. This will help doctors decide the best treatment options. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the three different types of mesothelioma treatment that are commonly used. Prevention Mesothelioma is not preventable, but you can lower your risk by avoiding people who are exposed to asbestos, and avoiding it. Exposure to asbestos could cause lung cancer or other illnesses that affect the organ linings. There are many kinds of mesothelioma, and some of them are more serious than others. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more manageable. Asbestos is made up of a group of minerals with microscopic fibers. It was used in construction and industrial products by companies who were not aware of its dangers. Blue-collar workers and veterans were the most exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is now recognized to be a risk and should not live in a house or work in an old factory that contains it. If you have an history of exposure to asbestos, talk with your doctor about having regular screening. X-rays as well as CT or MRI scans can help identify issues with your lungs or abdomen. A biopsy may reveal the presence of a tumor in the stomach lining or chest. Doctors can then test the tissue sample taken from that area to see whether you suffer from mesothelioma. There is a possibility that you have pleural mesothelioma that affects the lining of your lungs. Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma or testicular mesothelioma. It can take years for mesothelioma's growth to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Even so, it can be difficult to diagnose. It is often misdiagnosed as a condition or illness like pneumonia, bronchitis or cancer. This can prevent you getting the appropriate treatment. Researchers are working on improving diagnosis and creating tests that detect mesothelioma sooner. This could lead to better treatment and a better survival rate. Genetic tests are used to determine those who are most likely to develop the disease.