This Weeks Most Popular Stories About Mesothelioma Mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma may be overwhelming. It's normal to be overwhelmed, confused, and upset.
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the pleura that covers the lungs and chest wall. This cancer causes fluid buildup in the lungs and makes it difficult to breath.
Asbestos is the most significant reason for mesothelioma. People who worked with asbestos or lived with someone who did are at risk.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the tissues' lining known as the mesothelium. This layer protects your chest abdomen, and heart, as well as most of your other organs. It has two layers that form a sac around the inner layer of your organs. It is separated by fluid to permit organs to move around easily. Mesothelioma cancer cell growth can destroy tissue around them. They may also spread to other parts of your body (metastasize).
The most at-risk group for developing mesothelioma is people who have been working with asbestos. Asbestos-related workers include builders plumbers, electricians, asbestos miners, welders auto industry workers, and many more. People who live or work near asbestos plants, such as factories and power plants are also at a higher risk. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed in those who have been exposed to asbestos between 20 and 60 years before the illness manifests.
The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma of the pleural region, which develops in the lining around the lung. This type of mesothelioma can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, and weight loss. It is usually found in the lungs but can also affect the stomach or the heart. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be a rare type of the disease which affects the lining of the abdominal cavity. It can cause pain and difficulty eating.
Other types of mesothelioma include mesothelioma pericardial as well as tunica vaginal and tunica vaginalis mesothelioma, both of which are in the tissue that covers the tissue of the abdomen, chest or testicles, respectively. These mesothelioma types are usually not diagnosed and have a less of a chance of survival than other types.
The prognosis for mesothelioma is based on the type, location and stage of the disease at the moment of diagnosis as well in the general health status. Certain patients are successfully treated by undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Others who have advanced mesothelioma can receive experimental treatments such as gene therapy or immunotherapy. In any case, treatment options can increase the life expectancy of a patient.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, typically occurs in the linings of the chest cavity or abdomen. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a heat and fire-resistant mineral used in insulation, construction and shipbuilding power generation, home renovations prior to being banned in the 1970s. The exposure is mostly due to working in the asbestos industry, however, people who have cleaned up the workwear with asbestos fibres or disturbed asbestos in home renovations may also be at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Most mesothelioma patients experience general symptoms, such as fatigue and weight loss, coughing that has changes in frequency or intensity, chest pain, and other such symptoms. Patients should always consult with their doctor if they experience any of these symptoms. Consult your physician if you have been exposed asbestos.
In pleural asbestosis, symptoms are often caused by the tumor causing fluid to accumulate in the area around the lung. The build-up of fluid, which is called a "pleural effusion" can put pressure on the lungs, which makes breathing difficult. The ability to control the amount of fluid inside the pleural cavity can improve breathlessness.
Other symptoms of Mesothelioma include an increase in temperature, night sweats and abdominal pain. The fever is caused by the body's temperature rising in the fight against the cancer. The body attempts to reduce its temperature by producing night sweats as a response to the fever. These symptoms are all indications that the cancer is growing worse and is causing the body to stress.
The less common mesothelioma symptoms are the abdomen swelling and fatigue as well as difficulty walking. Mesothelioma may also affect the tissue surrounding the heart which can cause chest pain and difficulty breathing. Read the Full Post is also possible to develop mesothelioma inside the testicles' lining which can cause swelling or a lump in the testicles.
Mesothelioma can be difficult identify early because it is extremely uncommon. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other illnesses and may be mistaken for a pneumonia or a flu. Because of this, mesothelioma symptoms can take months or even years to manifest before they are properly diagnosed.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer. Doctors must determine if there are other health conditions that have similar symptoms before diagnosing mesothelioma. Once this is done, they will determine the best treatment options for you.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and conduct an exam. Your doctor can order blood tests to see the efficiency of your organs. One of these tests is the complete blood count (CBC) which looks at the amount of white and red blood cells, the extent to which your kidneys and liver are working, and other important information. Mesothelioma cells often show up in these blood tests, however they are difficult to identify because they look so like normal cells.
If your doctor suspects you have mesothelioma, they'll likely request imaging tests to determine the location and size of any growth or fluid that is forming around the abdomen or lungs. A chest x-ray is the most common test, however if it does not reveal any abnormalities, doctors may request more thorough tests such as an CT scan or an MRI.
These tests produce detailed pictures of the body by combining radio waves with powerful magnets. They can detect fluid and thickening in the pleura or peritoneum which could indicate mesothelioma. A CT scan can also reveal other health issues like lung infections or pneumonia.
Doctors may be able to get a better idea of the type of mesothelioma you have by examining a sample of your tissue taken during an examination. This is the only method to identify mesothelioma. The samples are then examined under a microscope to determine the mesothelioma's type of cell, and how far the cancer has been able to spread.
Some doctors may inject dye into a vein, or perform other tests, to determine the exact location of the cancer. This is called staging the mesothelioma. It helps doctors determine how far the cancer has spread and its severity.
Treatment
Mesothelioma occurs in the cells that line the lung and other organs. These cells can grow out of control, forming tumors (masses). The cancer spreads to nearby tissues because the cells do not respond to signals that prevent them from expanding too rapidly. It may also infiltrate the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the lung. This can result in breathing problems and a cough.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through examining the symptoms of a person and their history of exposure to asbestos. They may also order imaging tests and other lab tests to detect and identify tumors. For instance, doctors may utilize chest X-rays to look for lung changes such as the pleural thickening, or pleural effusion. This is the accumulation of fluid. They may also order CT scanning or an MRI or a PET scan in order to see the location of tumors and determine the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. They may also take fluid from the lung (called a Thoracentesis) to test for mesothelioma and to relieve pressure on the lungs brought on by the accumulation of fluid.
Once a mesothelioma-related diagnosis is confirmed, doctors can begin planning treatments to control the disease. It is crucial to discuss your treatment goals with a mesothelioma professional. Some people choose aggressive treatment in order to improve their chances of survival and prolong their lives, whereas others prefer a less aggressive approach to reduce side effects, such as pain and nausea.
The treatment options for mesothelioma are chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. The type of treatment that one receives is determined by the stage of their mesothelioma, and whether or not it is composed of sarcomatoid or epithelioid cells. Epithelioid cells are simpler to remove through surgery, and they have better outcomes than Sarcomatoid cells. Some patients are affected by both types and have less success than those with only epithelioid cancer.
It is essential to see your mesothelioma specialist frequently after finishing the treatment. This will help keep the cancer from recurring. If it recurrs in the future, your mesothelioma specialists will develop a new treatment strategy.
Some patients with mesothelioma enroll in clinical trials to test new treatments. Clinical trials allow patients access to advanced treatments that aren't yet approved for general use.