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Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can determine the disease with a physical exam, imaging tests and laboratory work. Doctors can also perform biopsy, which is removing tissue and examining it under a magnifying lens. A chest X-ray, also known as a 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 yielding false-negative results. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, which means it takes time to make an official diagnosis. Your doctor will start by taking a medical history and conducting an examination to look for any signs. They will also ask about your previous work experience with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos is the number factor that increases the risk of mesothelioma. Often, the first sign of mesothelioma is fluid buildup around the abdomen or around the lungs. These fluids are referred to as an ascites or pleural effusion. Doctors examine the fluid to determine if it has any cancer cells. A biopsy is the only method to identify mesothelioma with certainty. When a biopsy is performed the doctor will remove a small piece of the affected tissue to be examined in a laboratory. The mesothelioma cell is examined under a microscope to determine if they are cancerous and the kind of mesothelioma. Doctors may also conduct other tests to determine the extent to which the cancer's spread. Your doctor will discuss with you your treatment options if mesothelioma has been identified. Depending on the location of mesothelioma and how far it has spread, the treatment could be more or less aggressive. Your doctor will usually suggest radiation or chemotherapy as the first option for mesothelioma. These treatments can shrink tumors, and reduce symptoms, as well as reduce the pain. They also can help patients live longer. Before beginning treatment, your doctor will talk to you about a diet. Patients should maintain an appropriate eating routine while receiving radiation or chemotherapy. Diet is crucial to avoid weight loss and malnutrition. Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments when they have identified 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). The nurses and doctors you meet at these appointments are part of your mesothelioma multidisciplinary group. The team includes radiologists who are experts in X-rays, and oncologists who are specialists in cancer. The team meets weekly to discuss the results of tests and to plan care. This team-based approach to treating mesothelioma is the most effective method to ensure that you receive the best possible care. Symptoms The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on where the tumors are located within the body. For instance, patients with pleural mesothelioma may feel chest pain and breathlessness as well as mesothelioma in the peritoneal region may experience abdominal swelling or a bloated feeling. The symptoms can also be influenced by the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. Patients suffering from mesothelioma that is in its late stages usually experience more painful and severe symptoms. The first step in identifying mesothelioma is a physical exam. A doctor will pay special attention to the areas of the body that show symptoms. They will also inquire with patients about their experiences with exposure to asbestos. A chest X-ray is among the most common tests used to detect mesothelioma. The X-ray can reveal abnormal thickening of the lung lining or calcium deposits and fluid in the space (pleura) between the lungs caused by mesothelioma. Other diagnostic tests may include a CT scan or MRI. These tests provide precise images of the inside of the body. These images help doctors to locate mesothelioma, as well as other non-cancerous or cancerous tumors. X-rays or MRIs can also be useful in determining the stage of mesothelioma. This can help patients better understand the treatment options available to them. If a patient has severe symptoms, they should visit their doctor immediately. It is essential to make an appointment with a mesothelioma specialist to ensure the doctor can properly diagnose and treat the condition. Patients should bring their symptoms to the appointment so that the doctor can determine the exact diagnosis. Mesothelioma symptoms can resemble those of many other illnesses which is why it's often difficult for doctors to recognize the disease in its earliest stages. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, affects fewer than 3,000 Americans each year. The majority of people diagnosed have reached the age of 50. Asbestos fibers may become lodged in the airways of the lungs' smallest which can cause irritation and the growth of cells. kent mesothelioma attorneys can form. Mesothelioma can be extend to other organs, such as stomach, the heart and testicles. Treatment If mesothelioma is discovered in the earliest stages doctors can treat it to control symptoms and prolong the life span. The treatment plan is determined by the type of cancer, its place of origin, and the speed at which it is growing. Mesothelioma can be difficult identify because the cells are so similar to those of other types of cancer, which can cause confusion among doctors. Doctors conduct a physical exam and order imaging scans such as chest X-rays or CT scans to check for abnormalities. They also collect a sample of tissue, or biopsy, in order to determine if mesothelioma cancer cells. Surgery is typically the most effective way to relieve symptoms and improve the chances of survival in the case of pleural cancer. Extrapleural pneumonectomy, which removes portions of the diaphragm and the affected lung, or a pleurectomy with decortication which removes only the pleura and not the entire lung, are two common operations. Surgery for peritoneal msothelioma, though less frequent, can alleviate symptoms by draining fluid from the chest cavity or abdominal region. When mesothelioma has been identified chemotherapy can be employed to kill the cancer cells or slow their growth. Pemetrexed is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs. These are usually given in conjunction with other treatments, like radiation and surgery. In some cases, the cancer can spread to other parts of your body. This could reduce the likelihood for a cure and affects the person's prognosis. If the mesothelioma is advanced the doctor will suggest palliative treatment to improve quality of life, alleviate discomfort and other symptoms. This may include the possibility of a trial of an experimental drug or an array of treatments. Alternative treatments such as yoga or acupuncture may help alleviate symptoms due to mesothelioma. Patients with mesothelioma should check up with a doctor frequently to check how their treatment is progressing. There is no set schedule of follow-up appointments because every mesothelioma situation is unique. However, a patient's physician will work with them to establish an appropriate follow-up plan. If the patient is interested in taking part in a clinical study they should speak to their doctor about their eligibility. Prognosis Mesothelioma prognosis is based on various factors, including stage and type of mesothelioma, the patient's general health and age, and how they respond to treatment. A mesothelioma diagnosis does not necessarily indicate the length of time a patient will live, and a lot of people have survived mesothelioma for many years. Doctors can help patients understand their mesothelioma diagnosis and what it means for them personally. The mesothelioma diagnosis will tell a patient 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 healthier an individual is, the higher the chance of being able to beat mesothelioma. People who are in good overall health and normal haemoglobin levels are more likely to survive and so do those who don't smoke. Mesothelioma can result from asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos fibers during their work hours are more likely to contract the disease. Patients frequently experience negative side effects, including fatigue or pain, as well as weight loss. Doctors may recommend palliative care to alleviate the symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. If the cancer isn't spreading, surgery may be done to remove the tumor. It isn't always successful and does not cure the patient, but it can be an effective way to manage the symptoms of mesothelioma. If the cancer has progressed, doctors will often reduce the size of the tumour through chemotherapy or other medical treatments. Recurrence is common among mesothelioma. However, the rate of recurrence is less than that of other kinds of cancer. Patients should work with mesothelioma experts to learn as much about the cancer as they can. A mesothelioma doctor will also consider whether the patient is at a high or low chance of the cancer recurring depending on their mesothelioma stage and grade. The worse a patient's chance of survival is, the higher mesothelioma stages and grades they'll have. This is because mesothelioma can be harder to manage if it has recurred and has gotten worse.