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Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma through a physical exam as well as imaging tests and laboratory tests. Doctors may also perform biopsy, which is the removal of tissue and examination under a magnifying glass. A pleural biopsy is performed by using chest X-rays or a CT scan to guide the needle into the lung lining. The procedure is not invasive and could have the potential of revealing false-negative results. Diagnosis It can take a while to determine mesothelioma, as it is a rare form of cancer. Your doctor will start by conducting a medical history and performing a physical examination to look for signs. They will also inquire about any previous work you've done with asbestos. The exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of mesothelioma. The accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs is often the first sign of Mesothelioma. These fluids are referred to as the pleural effusion or ascites. Doctors test the fluid to determine if it contains cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to determine if mesothelioma is present. In a biopsy doctors remove only a small amount of affected tissue for analysis in the laboratory. The mesothelioma cells are analyzed under a microscope to determine if they are cancerous and also the kind of mesothelioma. Doctors may also perform other tests to determine how far the cancer has spread. If mesothelioma is diagnosed by your doctor, they will discuss treatment options with you. mesothelioma attorneys in texas may vary depending on the location of the mesothelioma as well as the extent of its spread. The first mesothelioma treatment your doctor will suggest is usually chemotherapy or radiation. They can reduce the size of tumors, relieve symptoms and ease pain. They can also assist patients to live longer. Before you begin treatment, your doctor will talk to you about your diet. Patients should maintain a healthy eating pattern while receiving radiation or chemotherapy. The diet is also important because it helps prevent weight loss and malnutrition. Once your doctor has determined which treatment is best for you, they'll schedule follow-up appointments. 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 your mesothelioma multidisciplinary team. The team includes radiologists who are experts in X-rays and oncologists who are cancer specialists. The team meets weekly to discuss the results of your tests and plan your treatment. This team-based approach to mesothelioma treatment 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. For instance, those who have pleural mesothelioma might suffer from chest discomfort and breath shortness, while those with mesothelioma in the peritoneal region may experience swelling in the abdomen or a bloated feeling. The symptoms also depend on the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. Patients suffering from mesothelioma that is in its last stages typically suffer more severe and painful symptoms. A physical examination is the first step in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. A doctor will pay particular attention to the areas of the body in which patients are suffering from symptoms. They will also inquire with patients about their experiences with exposure to asbestos. Chest Xrays are among the most frequently used methods to detect mesothelioma. The X-ray can show abnormal growth of calcium deposits or thickening of the lung lining and fluid in the space between the lungs (pleura) caused by mesothelioma. Other diagnostic tests include CT scan or an MRI. These tests can create detailed images of the inside of the body and help doctors locate mesothelioma and other non-cancerous and cancerous growths. X-rays and MRIs can also aid doctors determine the stage of mesothelioma, which can help patients understand what to expect in terms of treatment options. Patients who experience severe symptoms should consult their doctor immediately. It is important to make an appointment with a mesothelioma specialist to ensure the doctor is able to accurately diagnose and treat the disease. Patients should bring their symptoms to the appointment so that the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. Symptoms of mesothelioma can mimic those of a variety of other illnesses, so it is often difficult for doctors to determine the disease in its earliest stages. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects less than 3000 people in the United States each year, and most of those diagnosed are men older than 50. Asbestos fibers may get stuck in the smallest airways of the lungs, damaging the lining and causing cell growth that develops into tumors. Mesothelioma can also grow into the linings of other organs, such as the stomach, the heart and testicles. Treatment If mesothelioma has been diagnosed in its earliest stages doctors can treat it to control symptoms and prolong the life span. The treatment plan will depend on the type of mesothelioma, its location, and how fast the cancer is growing. Mesothelioma is difficult to detect because the cells are similar to those of other types of cancer, which can confuse doctors. To make the diagnosis, doctors conduct a physical exam and order imaging scans, including chest X-rays or CT scans, to look for abnormalities. They also take a small amount of tissue, also known as a biopsy, to determine if mesothelioma cancer cells. Surgery is usually the most effective method to reduce symptoms and improve the chances of survival in pleural cancer. Extrapleural pneumonectomy, which eliminates parts of the diaphragm and the affected lung, or a pleurectomy with decortication that removes only the pleura, but not the whole lung, are two common operations. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is less frequent, but it can ease symptoms by draining fluid accumulation from the abdomen or chest cavity. If mesothelioma is found out chemotherapy can be utilized to kill the cancer cells or slow their growth. Pemetrexed is among the most commonly prescribed drugs. These drugs are often prescribed in conjunction with other treatments, such as radiation and surgery. In some instances mesothelioma can spread to other organs, or metastasizes. This could affect the prognosis of the patient and reduce the chances of getting cured. If mesothelioma has spread The doctor may recommend palliative treatment to improve the quality of life and ease discomfort and other symptoms. This could involve the possibility of a trial of an experimental drug or an array of treatments. Alternative treatments like acupuncture or yoga can offer relief from the symptoms that are related to mesothelioma. Patients with mesothelioma should check up with a doctor frequently to check how their treatment is going. Because each mesothelioma is different and unique, there is no regular schedule for follow-up visits. The doctor will work with the patient in order to create a plan for follow-up visits. If a patient is interested in participating in a study that is clinical, they should speak to their doctor about whether they are eligible. Prognosis The prognosis for mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors, such as the type and stage of cancer, age and overall health, as well as the degree to which a patient responds to treatment. A mesothelioma diagnosis doesn't determine how long a person will live. Many people have suffered from mesothelioma for many years. Doctors can assist their patients to understand the mesothelioma diagnosis and what it means for them personally. The mesothelioma prognosis will inform a patient how they are likely to recover from the cancer and their likelihood of recurrence, which can occur even years after the initial diagnosis. In general, the healthier one is, the better their mesothelioma survival rate will be. Smokers who do not smoke and those with normal haemoglobin have higher survival rates, and also those in good health. Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos, and those who have been exposed to the fibres while at work are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat and patients frequently experience symptoms like weight loss, fatigue and pain. Doctors may suggest palliative care to reduce these symptoms and enhance the quality of life for patients. If the cancer hasn't been able to spread, surgery may be performed to remove the tumour. Although it is not always successful and does not cure patients, it can be a good way to manage symptoms of mesothelioma. If the cancer has spread, doctors can often still reduce tumour size by using chemotherapy or other treatments. Recurrence is common with mesothelioma, but the recurrence rate is lower than it is with other types of cancer. Patients should consult mesothelioma experts to learn as much information about the cancer as is possible. A mesothelioma specialist will also determine if the patient is at a high or low risk of the cancer returning based on their mesothelioma staging and grade. The more mesothelioma stage and grade a patient has and the worse their chances of survival will be. This is because mesothelioma can be more difficult to manage if it has recurred and has gotten worse.