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Mesothelioma Asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma as well as asbestosis may be similar. Both conditions are caused from exposure to asbestos fibers and dust. Patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural can undergo treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. The four stages of mesothelioma show the extent of the cancer's spread. Doctors make use of staging to determine treatments and life potential. Symptoms Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It usually affects the lung lining and chest cavity (pleura) however, it can also occur in the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or around the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma can be malignant. This means it can expand and spread out beyond its original site. The first symptom is typically a cough that doesn't produce the phlegm. Other signs include shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss. In some cases patients, they experience lumps or swelling in their abdomen. If a patient is experiencing these symptoms, their physician may refer them to a specialist treatment. The specialist will run a series of tests to determine whether mesothelioma or any other cancers are the reason. The imaging scanners are used to look inside lungs, abdomens or hearts and then perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. When it comes to pleural mesothelioma, doctors have two primary surgical options that include an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) which eliminates the tumour and part of the lung affected, the diaphragm and a portion of the lining of the heart as well as a pleurectomy that includes pulmonary decortication (P/D) which eliminates the pleura but not the entire lung affected. Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. The first uses high-energy X rays to destroy cancer cells, while the second makes use of drugs like pemetrexed or carboplatin in order to destroy cancerous cells or slow down their growth. Patients should inform their doctor about any prior asbestos exposure. This is vital, as mesothelioma can develop in the years that follow the initial asbestos exposure. The doctor will also inquire about the frequency and duration of exposure, as these factors can affect the development of symptoms. If the GP suspects mesothelioma they will schedule an CT scan to see how the cancer has spread in the body. If the mesothelioma is spreading to the lungs, a bronchoscopy will be conducted to look at the airways of the lungs and lymph nodes. In certain cases doctors may suggest a PET-CT or a chest MRI scan to determine if the cancer has developed to the heart. Diagnosis The most effective method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma involves taking a sample of fluid or tissue. Doctors make use of this sample to search for cancerous cells, which differ from normal cells. A biopsy can be done through a needle or surgery. Doctors can also use imaging tests like x-rays and CT scans to find mesothelioma. They may also do a positron-emission tomography scan (PET), which is used to detect cancerous cells. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to symptoms of other conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose. For example the chest pain that is associated with mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as lung cancer or heart disease. Pleural effusion, which is a condition caused by asbestos can be mistaken for bronchitis or pneumonia. If doctors suspect that a patient is suffering from mesothelioma they will ask about the patient's prior exposure to asbestos, as well as their symptoms. They will also perform an examination and take a history of the patient's family's medical history. The doctor will order urine and blood tests to look for elevated levels. These tests can be done at the hospital or at home. These tests will help doctors determine the level of asbestos in the body and how the other organs are performing. They will also want know if the patient has been through any surgeries previously. A CT scan and chest xray will be performed to check for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors typically conduct an echocardiogram, a test which uses sound waves to create an image of the heart if they believe that a person is suffering from pericardial mesothelioma. A MRI scan may be beneficial in the case of pleural mesothelioma because it provides detailed images of soft tissues. Mediastinoscopy can be performed by inserting a tube containing a camera and light inside the chest in order to study and sample lymph nodes close to the center. This is particularly helpful when mesothelioma is spreading to these areas. Treatment Mesothelioma asbestosis is a slow-moving respiratory disease, but there are treatment options that can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Doctors can use medications, fluid drainage techniques, surgeries or a combination of techniques to ease fatigue and pain in the lung. Doctors can also assist patients cope with the loss of normal energy levels and how it affects their daily routine. The first step in treating mesothelioma is to determine if cancerous cells are present. A biopsy is the best way to find out. The biopsy will take a small sample of mesothelium, and examine it under a microscope in order to determine if there are any cancerous cells. A biopsy is usually done via surgery, but doctors can also perform a procedure known as thoracentesis. This involves inserting an needle into the chest in order to remove fluid samples for testing. Once the test results are in the surgeon could decide to remove any parts of the body affected by mesothelioma asbestosis. This is typically done for pleural, however it can be performed to treat peritoneal or peritoneal asbestosis. Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that is found in the lining (pleura) of the lung. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is caused asbestos fibers that are ingested into digestive tract. Patients can take steps following surgery to improve their level of comfort. This includes taking napping earlier in the day, arranging shopping trips and other activities when they are feeling stronger, and participating in moderate exercise to reduce fatigue. Quincy asbestos lawsuit may also inquire about clinical trials for treatment of mesothelioma with a medical professional. These trials study new mesothelioma therapies that have not yet been approved by the FDA. Other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, may be available. Immunotherapy and radiation are used to boost the body's natural defence systems against cancer. Targeted therapy is the use of specific drugs to target weaknesses in mesothelioma cancer cells. Every patient's situation is distinct. It is essential to talk to a mesothelioma professional about all treatment options. Prognosis A prognosis is a measure of how far mesothelioma has spread and what the most effective treatment options will be. It can also indicate how long patients will have to endure mesothelioma. A patient's general health is a different factor in their mesothelioma prognosis. Patients who are healthier and have higher blood test results such as normal haemoglobin levels and higher platelet and white cells counts will have a higher chance of surviving mesothelioma. They will also be better in their ability to handle chemotherapy and surgeries than those who have poorer general health. Mesothelioma can be described as a highly aggressive cancer that often has a worse prognosis than other forms of cancer. This is mainly because it is often diagnosed much later after the cancer has already taken hold. The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other diseases making it difficult to recognize. In some instances it can take a long time from the point that asbestos exposure is discovered until mesothelioma develops in a patient. There are two kinds of mesothelioma, namely pleural and peritoneal. Both are caused from asbestos exposure. It is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cell that covers the majority of the body's internal organs. The cancerous cells that cause pleural mesothelioma affect the membrane that line the chest cavity. It can also affect the membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardium) or the testicles' membrane (testicular mesothelioma). Asbestosis is not characterized by the same symptoms as mesothelioma. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and it can cause lung problems, including the development of scarring and stiffness in the lung. It is possible to get mesothelioma and asbestosis at the same time. Mesothelioma cancer is only found in people who have been exposed to asbestos. It usually develops in the chest's lining, abdomen and other organs. It is not triggered by smoking and most people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos when they worked. Smokers and people with other illnesses, like heart disease or diabetes are more likely to develop the disease.