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Mesothelioma Asbestosis Symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis can be similar. Both diseases are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers as well as dust. Pleural mesothelioma is treatable with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. The four stages of mesothelioma reveal the extent of cancer's spread. Doctors employ staging to determine treatments and life expectation. Symptoms Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It is typically found in the linings of the lungs, the chest cavity, and the abdomen (pleura), although it may also affect the membranes that surround the heart (pericardium) or the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is malignant, which means it is likely to expand and spread beyond the site of origin. The first symptom is often a cough that doesn't produce phlegm. Other signs include shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss. Some patients may notice lumps or swelling on their abdomen. A patient's doctor can recommend a specialist if they are experiencing these symptoms. The specialist will perform a series of tests to check if mesothelioma or other cancers are responsible for the. They will use imaging scans to examine the abdomen, lungs or heart and perform biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. In the case of pleural msothelioma, there are two major surgical options. A pneumonectomy that is extrapleural removes part of the lung affected, the diaphragm, and a portion of the heart's lining. A pleurectomy and pulmonary decortication eliminates only the pleura, but not the entire lung. The chemotherapy and radiation are also options. The former sends high-energy X-rays towards cancerous cells to kill them, while the latter makes use of drugs such as carboplatin and pemetrexed to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Patients should inform their doctor about any history of asbestos exposure. This is crucial since mesothelioma may grow up to 20 years after initial exposure. The doctor will ask about the frequency of exposure and the duration of the exposure, since these factors may impact the development symptoms. If the GP suspects mesothelioma, they will arrange a CT scan to see how far the cancer has spread in the body. If the mesothelioma is located in the lungs, they will also conduct a bronchoscopy procedure to examine the airways of the lungs and lymph nodes. In some cases the doctor might recommend an abdominal MRI or PET-CT scans to determine whether the cancer has developed into the heart. Diagnosis The best method to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is by collecting an amount of fluid or tissue. The sample is used by doctors to check for cancerous cells that are different from normal cells. A biopsy can be carried out surgically or through the use of needles. Doctors may also utilize imaging tests like x-rays and CT scans to detect mesothelioma. They can also perform an positron emission tomography (PET) scan which can be used to detect cancerous cells that have been spreading. The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to those of other diseases, making it difficult to determine. For example, the chest pain associated with mesothelioma can be mistaken for lung cancer or heart disease. Additionally asbestos-related diseases such as pleural effusion can be confused with pneumonia or bronchitis. If a doctor suspects that a patient has mesothelioma, they will inquire about their previous exposure to asbestos and the symptoms. The doctor will also perform a physical examination and ask about the medical history of family members. The doctor will request blood and urine testing to determine if there are elevated levels. These tests can be done at the hospital or at home. These tests will aid doctors in determining how much asbestos is in the body, as well as how the organs are performing. They will also ask whether the patient has undergone any previous surgery. A CT scan and chest x-ray will be done to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors typically conduct an echocardiogram, a test which utilizes sound waves to produce a picture of the heart if they believe a person has pericardial cancer. A MRI scan might be useful in the case of pleural mesothelioma because it provides detailed images of soft tissues. They may also do mediastinoscopy, which entails placing a tube equipped with an imager and a light inside the chest to look at and sample lymph nodes near the center of the chest. This is especially helpful if the mesothelioma has spread to these areas. Treatment Mesothelioma asbestosis is a slow-moving respiratory illness, but there are treatments to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. To relieve fatigue and lung pain doctors can employ medications, fluid draining techniques, or surgery. Doctors can also help patients deal with fatigue and how it affects their daily life. The first step to treat mesothelioma is to find out if cancer cells are present. A biopsy is the best way to find out. When they perform a biopsy, physicians will take a small portion of mesothelium and examine it under a microscope. They are looking for cancerous cells. A biopsy is typically done through surgery, but doctors can also perform a procedure known as thoracentesis. yonkers asbestos law firm involves inserting a needle in the chest to extract an amount of fluid to test. Once the test results are available the surgeon can decide to take out any parts of the body that are affected by mesothelioma asbestosis. This is most often performed to treat pleural mesothelioma but it can be used to treat peritoneal cancer as well. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's lining (pleura). Peritoneal Mesothelioma is caused asbestos fibers which are ingested into the digestive tract. Patients can take steps after surgery to increase their ease. This includes taking napping earlier in the day, planning shopping trips and other activities when they are feeling more energetic and engaging in moderate exercise to reduce fatigue. Patients can also inquire about clinical trials for the treatment of mesothelioma with their health care provider. These trials are studies of mesothelioma treatments which are not yet approved by the FDA. Other treatments, such as radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, are available. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells, whereas radiation and immunotherapy boost the body's natural defense mechanisms against cancer. Targeted therapy involves the use of specific medications to attack vulnerabilities within mesothelioma cancer cells. Since each patient and situation is different, it is essential to discuss all treatment options with a mesothelioma specialist. Prognosis A prognosis can be described as a rough estimate of the extent to which a mesothelioma spreads and the treatment options available. It can also tell how long patients will have to be afflicted by mesothelioma. The general health of a patient is also an element in the prognosis of mesothelioma. People who are healthier and have better blood tests, like normal haemoglobin, as well as higher white and platelet counts are likely to have a higher chance of beating the disease. They will also be better able to tolerate chemo and surgeries than those who have poorer general health. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is aggressive that often has a worse prognosis than other forms of cancer. This is partly because it is usually diagnosed much later, when the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. Mesothelioma is also a difficult cancer to detect because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. In some cases it could take years from the time that asbestos exposure is discovered until mesothelioma develops in a patient. There are two kinds of mesothelioma: peritoneal and pleural. Both are triggered by asbestos exposure. This cancer affects the mesothelial tissues which cover the majority of the internal organs in the body. When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma pleural, it affects the membrane that lines the chest cavity (pleura). It can also affect the membranes that surround the heart (pericardium), or those around the testicles. Asbestosis is not a variant of mesothelioma but it does exhibit similar symptoms to those of mesothelioma. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and it can cause lung problems, including the development of scarring and stiffness of the lungs. It is possible to get both asbestosis and mesothelioma simultaneously. Only those who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma. It usually develops on the lining of the chest and abdomen. It is not caused by smoking, and the majority of people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos when they were working. People who smoke or suffer from other illnesses like diabetes or heart disease may be more likely to develop mesothelioma more than other people.