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Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can diagnose the condition through physical examination, imaging tests and laboratory work. Doctors can also conduct an excision procedure to remove the tissues and examine them under microscope. A chest X-ray, or CT scan is used to guide the needle through the lining of the lung. The procedure is not invasive and can result in false negative results. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is why it takes a while to determine a diagnosis. Your doctor will begin by taking your medical history and conducting a physical examination to check for signs. They will also inquire about any previous work you've done with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma. The most common sign of mesothelioma is the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or around the lungs. These fluids are known as the pleural effusions or ascites. Doctors examine this fluid to determine whether it has cancerous cells. A biopsy is the only sure method of diagnosing mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove an insignificant portion of the affected tissue for analysis in an laboratory. Under a microscope the mesothelioma will be examined to determine whether it is cancerous and which type of mesothelioma is it. Doctors may also perform other tests to find out how far the cancer has spread. Your doctor will discuss with you your options for treatment if mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Your treatment may vary depending on the location of the mesothelioma and the extent of its spread. Your doctor will usually suggest radiation or chemotherapy as the initial treatment for mesothelioma. These treatments can shrink tumors and decrease symptoms, as well as lessen pain. They can also help patients live longer. Your doctor will discuss diet with you before starting treatment. Patients must adhere to an appropriate eating routine when receiving chemotherapy or radiation. Diet is crucial to avoid weight loss and malnutrition. Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments once they have decided on the most effective treatment for you. Your first appointment may be with a doctor who specializes in lung diseases (pulmonologist) or abdominal problems (gastroenterologist). These nurses and doctors are part of the multidisciplinary mesothelioma team. The team includes radiologists who are experts in X-rays, and oncologists, who are specialists in cancer. The team meets weekly to discuss the results of tests and plan treatment. This team-based approach to treating mesothelioma is the most effective way to ensure that you receive the best care possible. Symptoms The symptoms of mesothelioma differ according to where the tumors are located within the body. People who have peritoneal or pleural cancer may suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, while those with the peritoneal or pleural cancer may feel bloated, swollen or have a feeling of abdominal tightness. The symptoms can also be influenced by how far the mesothelioma has spread. Mesothelioma patients who are in the late stages of the disease usually have more painful and severe symptoms. A physical examination is the initial step in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. A doctor will pay special attention to the areas of the body showing symptoms. Patients will be asked about their asbestos exposure history. Chest X-rays are one of the most frequently used methods to detect mesothelioma. The X-ray may reveal abnormal thickness or calcium deposits on the lung lining, as well as fluid in the space between the lungs (pleura) caused by mesothelioma. Other diagnostic tests may include tests for diagnosis include CT scan and an MRI. These tests provide precise images of the interior of the body, which can aid doctors in identifying mesothelioma, as well as other non-cancerous or cancerous tumors. X-rays and MRIs can also help doctors determine the stage of mesothelioma, which can help patients understand what they can expect regarding treatment options. If a patient has severe symptoms, they should consult their physician immediately. Schedule an appointment with mesothelioma specialists so that the doctor can diagnose and treat your condition. Patients must bring a list of their symptoms to the appointment to ensure that the doctor has all the data required to make an accurate diagnosis. The symptoms of mesothelioma may resemble those of a variety of other illnesses, so it is often difficult for doctors to determine the condition in its early stages. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects less than 3000 people in the United States each year, and most of patients diagnosed are men who are over the age of 50. Asbestos fibers can get lodged in the smallest airways of the lungs, causing irritation and cell growth. Tumors may form. Mesothelioma can also spread to the linings of other organs, such as the stomach, heart, and testicles. Treatment If mesothelioma is diagnosed in the earliest stages, doctors can treat it to control symptoms and prolong survival. AccidentInjuryLawyers is determined by the kind of cancer, the place of origin, and the speed at which it is growing. Mesothelioma can be difficult detect because the cells are so similar to other types of cancer, which can cause confusion among doctors. To determine the diagnosis, doctors perform a physical exam and order imaging scans, such as chest X-rays or CT scans, to look for abnormalities. They also collect a sample of tissue, or biopsy, in order to check for mesothelioma cells. For pleural mesothelioma surgery is often the best option to relieve symptoms and extending the life of. Extrapleural pneumonectomy that removes parts of the diaphragm as well as the affected lung or a pleurectomy with decortication which removes only the pleura but not the entire lung, are two commonly performed operations. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma may be less common, but it can help ease symptoms by draining fluid build-up from the abdomen or chest cavity. Chemotherapy can slow the growth of cancerous cells or to kill them once mesothelioma has been found. Pemetrexed is among the most prescribed medications. They are typically prescribed along in conjunction with other treatments, like radiation and surgery. In some instances, the cancer can expand to other areas of your body. This can affect the prognosis of the patient, and reduce the chance of a cure. If the mesothelioma is advanced, the doctor will recommend palliative treatment to improve quality of life, relieve discomfort and other signs. This could involve a combination of treatment or an experimental drug. Alternative treatments such as yoga or acupuncture can provide relief from symptoms related to mesothelioma. Patients with mesothelioma need to follow up with their physician regularly to monitor the progress of their treatment. There is no standard schedule of follow-up appointments since every mesothelioma situation is unique. However, a patient's physician will collaborate with them to develop an appropriate schedule for follow-up. If a patient wants to take part in a clinical study they should speak with their doctor regarding whether they are eligible. Prognosis Mesothelioma prognosis depends on several factors, including the the stage and type of mesothelioma as well as the patient's general health and age, and how well they respond to treatment. A mesothelioma diagnosis does not indicate how long someone will live. Many have lived with mesothelioma over many years. Doctors can help their patients learn about the mesothelioma diagnosis as well as what it means to them personally. The prognosis for mesothelioma will inform the patient how likely they are of regaining the cancer, and whether they are likely to experience having a recurrence. This can happen in the years following the initial diagnosis. In general, the more fit a person is, the higher their mesothelioma-related survival rates will be. Non-smokers and people with normal haemoglobin levels tend to have better survival rates, as well as those in good health. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, and those who were exposed to the fibres in their work environments are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Mesothelioma is a challenging cancer to treat, and patients are often faced with adverse effects like weight loss, fatigue and pain. Doctors may recommend palliative treatment to reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. If the cancer is not spreading, surgery may be carried out to remove the tumor. This is not always successful and will not cure the patient but it is effective in managing the symptoms of mesothelioma. If the cancer has been spread, doctors may still reduce tumour size through chemotherapy or other treatments. Recurrence is common among mesothelioma, however the recurrence rate is lower than with other types of cancer. It is important for patients to work with mesothelioma specialists, and take the time to find out as much as possible about the cancer. A mesothelioma specialist will also assess whether the patient is at a high or low risk of cancer recurring based on their mesothelioma staging and grade. The worse a patient's chance of survival is, the higher mesothelioma stages and grades they are. The cancer can be more difficult to treat in the event that the cancer has recurred or progressed.