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Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging tests as well as lab tests. Doctors may also conduct biopsy procedures to remove tissue and examine it under microscope. A pleural biopsy can be performed with a chest X-ray or a CT scan to guide the needle into the lung lining. The procedure is not invasive and may result in false-negative results. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, which means it takes time to make a diagnosis. Your doctor will start by taking a medical history and conducting a physical exam to look for signs. They will also inquire about your past work with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma. The most common sign of mesothelioma is fluid buildup around the abdomen or around the lungs. These fluids are known as the pleural effusion or ascites. Doctors test the fluid to determine if it contains any cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to determine if mesothelioma is present. In a biopsy the doctor will remove a small portion of the affected tissue to be tested in a lab. The mesothelioma cells are examined under microscopes to determine whether they are cancerous and the type of mesothelioma. Doctors may also perform other tests to determine how far the cancer has spread. Your doctor will discuss with you your options for treatment if mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Depending on the location of mesothelioma and the extent to which it has spread, the treatment may be more or less invasive. The doctor you see will typically recommend chemotherapy or radiation as the first treatment for mesothelioma. These treatments can shrink tumors, alleviate symptoms and ease pain. They can also help patients to live longer. Your doctor will discuss diet with you before beginning treatment. Patients should maintain an appropriate eating routine when receiving chemotherapy or radiation. The diet is important because it can prevent weight loss and malnutrition. Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments when they have determined the best course of action for you. Your first appointment may be with a doctor who specializes in lung diseases (pulmonologist) or abdominal problems (gastroenterologist). These nurses and doctors are part of the multidisciplinary mesothelioma team. They include X-ray specialists, also known as radiologists, as well as cancer specialists referred to as oncologists. The team meets weekly to discuss your results from tests and plan your treatment. This team approach to mesothelioma treatment is the most effective way to ensure that you receive the best treatment. Symptoms The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the location where the tumors are situated in the body. For instance, patients with pleural mesothelioma may experience chest discomfort and breath shortness as well as peritoneal mesothelioma may notice abdominal swelling or a feeling of bloating. The symptoms can also be influenced by how far the mesothelioma has spread. Mesothelioma patients who are in the final stages of the disease usually suffer more severe and painful symptoms. A physical examination is the initial step in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. A doctor will pay special attention to the areas of the body in which patients are suffering from symptoms. Patients will be asked about their asbestos exposure history. Chest X-rays are one of the most commonly used methods to detect mesothelioma. The X-ray can show abnormal thickness or calcium deposits on the lung lining and fluid in the space between the lungs (pleura) caused by mesothelioma. Other diagnostic tests include a CT scan or an MRI. These tests can produce detailed images of the inside of the body. These images help doctors to locate mesothelioma and other cancerous or non-cancerous tumors. X-rays or MRIs are also useful in determining the stage of mesothelioma. This will allow patients to better understand their treatment options. If a patient is experiencing extreme symptoms, they should consult their physician immediately. Schedule an appointment with mesothelioma specialists to ensure that the doctor is able to diagnose and treat your condition. Patients should bring a list with their symptoms to the appointment to ensure that the doctor has all the details needed to make a precise diagnosis. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other cancers and make it difficult for doctors at the beginning stages of the disease. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects less than 3000 people in the United States each year, and most of patients diagnosed are men who are older than 50. Asbestos fibers can get lodged in the tiny airways of the lungs, irritating the lining and causing cell growth that forms into tumors. Mesothelioma may also extend to other organs, such as the stomach, the heart and testicles. Treatment If mesothelioma is discovered in the earliest stages doctors can treat it to control symptoms and extend survival. The treatment plan will depend on the type of mesothelioma, the location and how fast the cancer is growing. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the cells are so like those of other types of cancer, which can cause confusion among doctors. Doctors conduct a physical exam and order imaging scans like chest X-rays or CT scans to detect abnormalities. They also take a small amount of tissue, also known as a biopsy, in order to test for mesothelioma cancer cells. Surgery is often 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 eliminates the affected lung as well as parts of the diaphragm. Another option is a pleurectomy and decortication which removes the pleura but not the entire lung. Surgery for peritoneal msothelioma, although not as common will reduce symptoms by draining the fluid from the chest cavity or abdominal area. When mesothelioma has been identified chemotherapy can be utilized to kill the cancer cells or slow their growth. Pemetrexed is among the most frequently prescribed drugs. These are usually given with other treatments, including radiation and surgery. In some cases mesothelioma can spread to other areas of the body or metastasizes. This can reduce the chances for a cure and affects the prognosis of a patient. If mesothelioma has mutated, the doctor may recommend palliative treatment to improve the quality of life and ease discomfort and other symptoms. This may include the trial of an experimental drug or an array of treatments. iowa city mesothelioma lawsuit can also find relief from mesothelioma-related symptoms by alternative treatments such as yoga and acupuncture. Patients suffering from mesothelioma must follow regularly with their doctor to see how their treatment is progressing. Since each mesothelioma is unique and unique, there is no standard schedule for follow-up visits. However, the doctor of the patient will work with them to create an appropriate follow-up plan. If a patient wants to participate in a clinical trial it is best to talk to their physician about the their eligibility. Prognosis Mesothelioma prognosis is determined by several factors, including the the type and stage of mesothelioma as well as the patient's general health and age, and how they react to treatment. A mesothelioma diagnosis does not indicate how long someone will live. Many people have lived with mesothelioma over many years. Doctors can help patients understand their mesothelioma diagnosis and what it means to them personally. The mesothelioma diagnosis will tell patients how they are likely to recover from the cancer and their chances of recurrence, which can occur even years after the initial diagnosis. In general, the more fit an individual is, the higher the chance of being able to beat mesothelioma. People with good overall health and normal haemoglobin levels tend to do better and so do those who don't smoke. Mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to fibres at work are more likely to contract the disease. Patients are often affected by negative side effects, including fatigue, pain, and weight loss. The use of palliative treatment is recommended by doctors to reduce these symptoms, and improve the quality of life for their patients. If the cancer has not been able to spread, surgery may be performed to remove the tumor. It isn't always successful and doesn't cure the patient, but it can be an effective way to manage the 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. However, the recurrence rate is lower than with other kinds of cancer. It is essential for patients to consult mesothelioma specialists and to get as much information as they can about the cancer. A mesothelioma specialist will also assess whether the patient is at a low or high risk of the cancer returning depending on their mesothelioma stage and grade. The worse a patient's chance of survival is, the higher mesothelioma stage and grade they'll have. The cancer is more difficult to treat in the event that the cancer has recurred or progressed.