Forum

Mesothelioma Cases  
  
A specialist should be sought out for anyone diagnosed mesothelioma. Based on the location of the tumor and the extent to which it has spread, doctors may offer patients a range of treatments.  
  
Most mesothelioma cases occur in men and women who worked with asbestos case-containing materials. This includes asbestos workers, miners railway workers, auto repair and shipyard workers.  
  
Diagnosis  
  
A mesothelioma diagnosis requires a combination of testing methods. Doctors look over your medical history and conduct physical examinations to check for signs. They also run tests of imaging and blood tests to diagnose mesothelioma. The only method to detect mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a tissue biopsy, however this isn't always the first test doctors perform.  
  
Mesothelioma is most common in the pleura, or lining that surrounds the lungs and the chest cavity. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma pleural is the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity, known as pleural effusion. This is visible on chest X-rays or CT scan. It helps doctors determine the best place to biopsy the affected area.  
  
A mesothelioma biopsy can be done by a doctor by using a needle or by surgery. The biopsy is examined under microscopes to determine if the cells found in the sample are cancerous. Mesothelioma is classified into three types based on how the cells appear under a microscope: epithelioid, sarcomatoid and mixed (biphasic) mesothelioma.  
  
Depending on the type of mesothelioma you have and the symptoms you are experiencing, doctors can recommend a variety of scans or blood tests. A complete blood count (CBC), which analyzes white and red blood cell levels, as well platelets, is a valuable test. It can help doctors identify mesothelioma-related signs like the elevated levels of an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).  
  
An echocardiogram is a specialized form of ultrasound that shows how well the heart works. This can be used to diagnose pericardial msothelioma that can affect the lining around the heart.  
  
A chest CT scan is a painless, non-invasive scan that uses x-rays and computers to create an image of your lungs as well as the tissues that surround them. It can help doctors detect mesothelioma cancers and measure the thickness of tissue.  
  
To diagnose pleural mesothelioma a lung function or pulmonary function test may be needed to determine how well the lungs work. A flexible tube called a "bronchoscope" is inserted into the throat or mouth and then down the airway. The bronchoscope is equipped with a camera and can be connected to a big monitor that allows doctors to see the lungs as well as the surrounding area. The test can take between 30 minutes and 60 minutes.  
  
Symptoms  
  
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the location and kind of cancer it is. The majority of mesothelioma cases are pleural meaning they grow in the lining around the lung (pleura). However, around 10% of cases are peritoneal that develop in the abdominal lining. Both types of mesothelioma may cause fatigue, chest pain and mesothelioma chest pain and breathing problems.  
  
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and many doctors may not be familiar with its signs and symptoms. Patients should bring a thorough list of symptoms to every appointment and inform their doctor of any history of exposure to asbestos attorney. This will help ensure that the patient gets an accurate diagnosis and treatment.  
  
A doctor will begin the process of diagnosing mesothelioma by asking about asbestos claim exposure prior to the diagnosis and performing a physical examination. They will also recommend a chest Xray and CT scan to check for mesothelioma, or other issues that affect the lungs and chest wall. A blood test is ordered to determine the presence of antibodies that could indicate asbestos or mesothelioma exposure.  
  
A biopsy is done following an mesothelioma diagnosis in order to examine tissue under a microscope and confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy can be carried out by VATS surgery (a minimally-invasive procedure) or using the use of a CT guided needle aspiration.  
  
Pleural mesothelioma symptoms typically manifest as trouble breathing chest or back pain and dry cough. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as pneumonia, bronchitis or flu. Patients with mesothelioma might also experience bloating and constipation, and unproved weight loss. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is identified by pain in the abdomen. It can cause swelling or a feeling that you are full or a blockage of the stomach. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever and a loss of appetite. Mesothelioma symptoms can be severe and life-threatening, particularly when it has advanced to a stage. It is essential to detect the disease early in receiving a rapid mesothelioma diagnose and undergoing treatment as soon as you are able to. If you or a loved one has experienced mesothelioma symptoms, consult a mesothelioma doctor today.  
  
Treatment  
  
Treatment options for mesothelioma is dependent on the type and the stage of cancer. Patients should choose a mesothelioma specialist who is well-versed in the disease and is able to discuss their treatment goals. This is called shared decision making.  
  
Chest X-rays are usually the first imaging test doctors recommend to patients. These tests can reveal changes to the lining of the lungs, such as thickening and fluid buildup. They may also show if the mesothelioma cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Other tests include a CT scan, an MRI and a PET (positron emission tomography) scan. The tests for blood can also reveal high levels of certain chemicals associated with mesothelioma.  
  
Following a mesothelioma diagnosis doctors will request an invasive biopsy. A small amount of the lining is removed to be examined under the microscope. Doctors can collect an ossified tissue sample using VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or a keyhole type surgery. They can also perform a CT guided core biopsy which uses an needle guided by images from the CT scan. A biopsy can be used to determine the type of cell in mesothelioma. This will impact the way in which the cancer responds. Epithelioid mesothelioma cells respond best to treatment, while mixed cell and sarcomatoid varieties don't.  
  
The most popular mesothelioma treatments are chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. These treatments can improve the life expectancy of a patient by 30-40 percent. Doctors might recommend immunotherapy in certain instances. These drugs encourage the immune system of the patient to attack the cancer. These drugs can be combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery.  
  
Mesothelioma patients should consider taking part in a clinical trial as this can lead to more effective and novel treatments. Researchers conduct these trials to find new ways to treat the disease and improve patients' lives.  
  
Treatment for mesothelioma that is advanced aims to reduce symptoms, and to keep them under control. These symptoms include breathlessness, pain and swelling. Surgery, like the pleural drain, may help with breathing difficulties. For those who are unable to undergo surgery, a home treatment such as TTFields might be recommended.  
  
Prognosis  
  
If doctors can determine the stage of someone's mesothelioma, they can make better treatment plans. The prognosis is determined by the type of cancer and its location, as well as the part of the body affected, and the general health of the patient. Patients with advanced mesothelioma; www.bs-electronics.Com, may be able to live for less than one year after being diagnosed. Treatments can prolong survival.  
  
Mesothelioma develops when sharp, loose asbestos fibers cause irritation to the lining of the abdomen or lungs. Cancer can develop as a single tumor, or spread to other tissues as it develops. In its advanced stages, mesothelioma may cause fluid to build up in the stomach and chest cavity which can cause a cough as well as other respiratory issues, abdominal pain, swelling, and weight loss.  
  
Doctors use a combination of tests and procedures to diagnose mesothelioma. They can conduct a physical examination or take a biopsy from a mesothelioma tumour for testing and review the medical background of the patient. Mesothelioma patients typically have a history of exposure to asbestos which is the primary risk cause for the disease.  
  
A biopsy is the most accurate method to determine mesothelioma. It collects tissues or fluids from a cancerous mesothelioma and then examines the cells for malignant ones. Doctors examine blood samples to determine whether mesothelioma has various types of cancerous cells. The most common cells are epithelioid, which respond well to treatment. Sarcomatoid cell, which show up in fewer instances, are more difficult to treat.  
  
When diagnosing pleural mesothelioma, doctors may be able to treat the buildup of fluid in the chest cavity by performing a procedure called pleurodesis. This involves scarring the lung lining with a chemical, and then stopping the buildup of fluid. They can also flush the fluid with tubes placed in the chest (percutaneous thoracostomy).  
  
Doctors can't accurately predict the longevity of peritoneal cancer patients, since this form of cancer typically develops in the the abdominal cavity. However, peritoneal mesothelioma is responsive well to treatment and has a better outlook than other types of mesothelioma, which tend to spread more quickly.