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Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma through an examination, imaging tests and laboratory tests. Doctors can also conduct a biopsy, which involves removing tissue and examining it under a magnifying glass. A chest X-ray, or CT scan is used to guide the needle through the lung's lining. The procedure can be not invasive and could have the potential of producing false-negative results. Diagnosis It can take time to identify mesothelioma since it is a rare type of cancer. Your doctor will start by taking a medical history and then performing an examination of your body to look for any signs. They will also inquire about any previous work you've done with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos is the most common one factor that increases the risk of mesothelioma. Fluid accumulation around the abdomen or lungs is often the first symptom of Mesothelioma. These fluids are known as pleural effusions or ascites. Doctors test this fluid to see whether it has cancerous cells. A biopsy is the only way to diagnose mesothelioma for sure. In a biopsy the doctor will remove a small part of the affected tissue and test it in a lab. Under a microscope the mesothelioma is inspected to determine if it's cancerous and which type of mesothelioma it's. Doctors can also use other tests to determine the extent at which the cancer spreads. Your doctor will discuss with you the options for treatment if mesothelioma is been identified. Your treatment will vary based on the location of the mesothelioma as well as how far it's spread. The first mesothelioma treatment that your doctor will recommend is usually chemotherapy or radiation. These treatments can shrink tumors and decrease symptoms, and also lessen the pain. They also aid patients live longer. Your doctor will discuss diet with you prior to beginning treatment. It is important for patients to follow a healthy diet while they are receiving chemotherapy or radiation. The diet is also important as it can help prevent weight loss and malnutrition. Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments when they have decided on 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 meet at these appointments are part of the mesothelioma multidisciplinary team. The team includes radiologists, who are experts in Xrays, and oncologists, who are cancer specialists. The team meets every week to discuss results of tests and plan care. This team approach to treating mesothelioma is the most effective way to ensure you receive the best treatment. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma symptoms differ based on where in the body the tumors grow. Patients with peritoneal or pleural cancer may experience chest discomfort and shortness breath, while those with pleural or peritoneal cancer may feel bloated, swollen or feel a sensation of abdominal tightness. The symptoms also depend on the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. Patients with mesothelioma in its last stages typically experience more painful and severe symptoms. The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is an examination. A doctor will pay special focus on the areas of the body that are exhibiting symptoms. Accident Injury Lawyers will be asked about their asbestos exposure history. A chest X-ray is one the most commonly used tests to detect mesothelioma. The X-ray could reveal abnormal lung lining thickening or calcium deposits as well as fluid in the space (pleura) between the lungs that is caused by mesothelioma. Other diagnostic tests include tests for diagnosis include CT scan and an MRI. These tests can provide detailed images of the inside of the body. They also help doctors identify mesothelioma and other cancerous and non-cancerous tumors. X-rays or MRIs can also be useful in determining the stage of mesothelioma. This will help patients better understand the treatment options available to them. Patients who experience severe symptoms should consult their doctor right away. It is crucial to schedule an appointment with a mesothelioma expert so that the doctor can accurately diagnose and treat the disease. Patients should bring their symptoms with them to the appointment so that the doctor can make a precise diagnosis. Symptoms of mesothelioma can mimic the symptoms of other diseases, so it is often difficult for doctors to recognize the condition in its early stages. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, affects less than 3,000 Americans each year. Most of those diagnosed are over the age of 50. Asbestos fibers could get stuck in the smallest airways of the lungs which can cause irritation and the growth of cells. Tumors can form. Mesothelioma may also extend to other organs, such as the stomach, the heart and testicles. Treatment If mesothelioma has been diagnosed in its early stages doctors can treat it to control symptoms and prolong the life span. The treatment plan depends on the type of mesothelioma, its location and how fast the cancer is growing. It can be difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma because the cells look like other types of cancer. This can cause confusion. Doctors conduct a physical examination and order imaging scans, such as chest X rays and CT scans to look for abnormalities. They also collect an organ sample or biopsy, to determine mesothelioma cells in the body. Surgery is typically the most effective way to alleviate symptoms and increase the chance of survival for patients with the case of pleural cancer. Extrapleural pneumonectomy, which removes parts of the diaphragm as well as the affected lung or a pleurectomy with decortication which removes only the pleura but not the entire lung, are two common operations. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is not as common, but it can help ease symptoms by draining excess fluid from the chest cavity or abdomen. Chemotherapy can slow the growth of cancer cells or kill them after mesothelioma is identified. The most frequently prescribed drugs are pemetrexed, cisplatin and carboplatin. These drugs are usually prescribed in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery and radiation. In some instances, mesothelioma spreads to other parts of the body or even metastasizes. This can reduce the chances for a cure and affects the person's prognosis. If the mesothelioma has advanced, the doctor will recommend palliative treatment to improve the quality of life, relieve discomfort and other symptoms. This could include a combination of treatment or an experimental drug. Alternative treatments such as yoga or acupuncture may help alleviate symptoms due to mesothelioma. Patients with mesothelioma should follow up with their doctor regularly to check on the progress of their treatment. Because each mesothelioma has its own unique characteristics it is not possible to establish a standard schedule for follow-up visits. The doctor will work with the patient to develop a schedule for follow-up visits. If a patient is interested in participating in a clinical study, they should speak to their doctor regarding their eligibility. Prognosis Mesothelioma prognosis depends on various factors, including the type and stage of mesothelioma as well as the patient's overall health and age and how they respond to treatment. The mesothelioma prognosis doesn't necessarily predict the length of time a patient will live, and many people have survived mesothelioma for many years. Doctors can help patients understand their mesothelioma prognosis as well as what it means for them personally. The mesothelioma prognosis will inform a patient how they are likely to recover from the cancer, as well as their chances of recurrence. This can happen even years after the initial diagnosis. In general, the healthier one is, the higher their mesothelioma survival rates will be. People who aren't smokers and have normal haemoglobin have higher survival rates as well as those in good health. Mesothelioma is a result of exposure to asbestos. people who were exposed to the fibres at work are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Patients often experience adverse effects, like fatigue, pain, and weight loss. The use of palliative treatment is advised by doctors to decrease these symptoms, and improve the quality of life for their patients. If the cancer has not progressed, surgery can be used to remove the tumour. This is not always successful and doesn't cure the patient however it can be effective in managing the symptoms of mesothelioma. If the cancer has progressed, doctors will often reduce the size of the tumour with chemotherapy or other treatments. The recurrence of mesothelioma is quite common however it is not as frequent than other types. It is essential for patients to work with mesothelioma specialists and to find out as much as they can about the disease. A mesothelioma physician will also assess whether the patient is at a high or low risk of cancer recurring according to their mesothelioma staging and grade. The more mesothelioma stages and grades a patient is diagnosed with, the worse their prognosis will be. The cancer is more difficult to treat when the cancer has recurred or advanced.