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Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma with an examination as well as imaging tests and lab tests. Doctors may also conduct an excision procedure to remove the tissue and examine it under microscope. A pleural biopsy is done with a chest X-ray or a CT scan to guide the needle into the lung lining. The procedure can be not invasive and could have the potential of producing false-negative results. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is why it takes a while to determine an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will start by taking a medical history and performing an examination of your body to look for signs. They will also inquire about your previous work experience with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma. Fluid buildup around the abdomen or the lungs is often the first sign of Mesothelioma. These fluids are referred to as the pleural effusions or ascites. Doctors examine the fluid to determine if it is contaminated with any cancerous cells. A biopsy is the only method to determine if mesothelioma is present. In a biopsy doctors remove an insignificant portion of the affected tissue for testing in an laboratory. Under a microscope, the mesothelioma is examined to determine whether it is cancerous and which type of mesothelioma it's. Doctors can also use other tests to determine the extent at which the cancer's spread. Your doctor will discuss with you your treatment options if mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Your treatment will vary based on the area of the mesothelioma and the extent to which it has spread. The first mesothelioma treatment your doctor will recommend is usually chemotherapy or radiation. These treatments can shrink tumors and decrease symptoms, as well as reduce the pain. They also aid patients to live longer. Your doctor will discuss diet with you prior to starting treatment. Patients should maintain a healthy eating pattern during chemotherapy or radiation. Accident Injury Lawyers is also important as it can help to prevent weight loss and malnutrition. Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments after they have identified the most effective treatment for you. Your first appointment may be with a doctor who specializes in lung diseases (pulmonologist) or abdominal problems (gastroenterologist). The doctors and nurses you see at these appointments are part of the mesothelioma multidisciplinary team. They include X-ray specialists, also known as radiologists as well as cancer specialists known as oncologists. The team meets each week to discuss your test results and plan your care. This team-based approach to treating mesothelioma is the most effective method to ensure that you receive the highest quality of care. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma symptoms can vary based on the location in the body where the tumors begin to grow. People who have peritoneal or pleural cancer may suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, while people with pleural or peritoneal cancer may feel bloated, swollen or feel a sense of abdominal tightness. The symptoms also depend on the stage of mesothelioma and how it spreads to other organs or tissues. Mesothelioma patients who are in the late stages of the disease generally have more severe and painful symptoms. The first step in identifying mesothelioma is a physical exam. A doctor will pay particular attention to the areas of the body in which patients are suffering from symptoms. They will also ask patients about their experiences with exposure to asbestos. A chest X-ray is one of the most frequently used tests to detect mesothelioma. The X-ray could reveal abnormal lung lining thickening or calcium deposits and fluid in the space (pleura) between the lungs caused by mesothelioma. Other diagnostic tests include a CT scan or an MRI. These tests provide precise images of the inside of the body and help doctors locate mesothelioma and other cancerous and non-cancerous tumors. X-rays or MRIs are also useful in determining the stage of mesothelioma. This will help patients better understand their treatment options. Patients with extreme symptoms should see their physician immediately. Arrange an appointment with mesothelioma specialists to ensure that the doctor is able to diagnose and treat your disease. Patients must bring a list of their symptoms to to ensure that the doctor has all the data necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. Mesothelioma symptoms can resemble those of many other illnesses and it can be difficult for doctors to identify the disease in its earliest stages. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects fewer than 3000 people in the United States each year, and most of patients diagnosed are men who are older than 50. Asbestos fibers could get stuck in the airways of the lungs' smallest which can cause irritation and cell growth. Tumors can develop. Mesothelioma can be spread to other organs such as stomach, the heart and testicles. Treatment When mesothelioma in its earliest stages is diagnosed, doctors can treat the disease to reduce symptoms and prolong survival. The treatment plan is determined by the type of cancer, its place of origin, and the speed at which it is growing. Mesothelioma can be difficult identify because the cells are so like those of other types of cancer, which can confuse doctors. Doctors perform a physical examination and order imaging scans like chest X-rays or CT scans to check for abnormalities. They also collect a sample of tissue, also known as a biopsy, in order to check for mesothelioma cells. Surgery is typically the most effective way to alleviate symptoms and increase the chances of survival in the case of pleural cancer. Operations include an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), which removes the affected lung as well as parts of the diaphragm. Or a pleurectomy that includes decortication, which removes the pleura, but not the entire lung. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma may be less common, but it can help ease symptoms by draining fluid build-up from the chest cavity or abdomen. If mesothelioma is found out chemotherapy can be employed to kill the cancer cells or slow their growth. Some of the most commonly prescribed drugs are pemetrexed carboplatin, and cisplatin. These drugs are usually prescribed in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery and radiation. In some instances, mesothelioma spreads to other organs or metastasizes. This could affect the prognosis of the patient and decrease the likelihood of getting cured. If mesothelioma is in advanced stages The doctor may recommend palliative treatment to improve quality of life, relieve discomfort and other signs. This may include a mix of treatment or an experimental drug. Alternative treatments such as acupuncture or yoga can help alleviate symptoms due to mesothelioma. Patients with mesothelioma need to follow up with their doctor regularly to monitor the progress of their treatment. Because each mesothelioma has its own unique characteristics it is not possible to establish a routine schedule for follow-up appointments. The doctor will collaborate with the patient to establish a schedule for follow-up appointments. If a patient is interested in participating in a study that is clinical, they should talk to their doctor about whether they are eligible. Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma is based on a range of factors, including the type and stage of cancer, age and overall health, as well as the degree to which a patient responds to treatment. A mesothelioma prognosis does not necessarily predict how long a person will live, and many patients have survived mesothelioma over many years. Doctors can help patients understand their mesothelioma prognosis as well as what it means for them personally. The mesothelioma diagnosis will tell the patient whether they are likely to recover from the cancer and also their chances of recurrence. This could occur years after the initial diagnosis. In general, the healthier an individual is, the higher the chance of beating mesothelioma. Smokers who do not smoke and those with normal haemoglobin have better survival rates, and also those in good health. Mesothelioma is a result of exposure to asbestos, and those who have been exposed to asbestos fibers at work are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat and patients often experience symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, and pain. Doctors may recommend palliative treatment to ease these symptoms and enhance the quality of life for patients. If the cancer has not progressed, surgery can be used to remove the tumour. It isn't always successful and does not cure the patient but it is an effective way to manage the symptoms of mesothelioma. Even when the cancer has spread to other organs, doctors are able to reduce the size of the tumour with chemotherapy or other medical treatment. Recurrence of mesothelioma is common, but it is less frequent than other types. It is essential for patients to consult mesothelioma specialists and to get as much information as they can about the cancer. A mesothelioma doctor will determine if a patient is at a low or a high chance of recurrence of cancer depending on the mesothelioma stage and grade. The more stages and grades of mesothelioma a patient has the worse their outlook will be. This is because the cancer is more difficult to manage if it has recurred and has progressed.