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Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma with a physical exam as well as imaging tests and lab work. Doctors can also perform an excision procedure to remove the tissues and examine them under a microscope. A pleural biopsy is done by using chest X-rays or a CT scan to guide the needle into the lung lining. The test can be invasive and has a chance of revealing false-negative results. Diagnosis It takes time to diagnose mesothelioma because it is a rare form of cancer. Your doctor will begin by conducting a medical history and performing a physical examination to determine if there are any signs. They will also inquire about your previous asbestos exposure. The exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of mesothelioma. Often, the first indication of mesothelioma is a the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or around the lungs. These fluids are called an ascites or pleural effusion. Doctors examine this fluid to determine whether it has cancerous cells. A biopsy is the only sure method to determine mesothelioma. In a biopsy doctors remove an insignificant portion of the affected tissue to be tested in the laboratory. The mesothelioma cell is examined under microscopes to determine whether they are cancerous and the type of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use other tests to determine how far the cancer has spread. If mesothelioma is diagnosed by your doctor, they will discuss your treatment options with you. Your treatment may vary depending on the location of the mesothelioma and how far it's spread. Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy or radiation as the initial treatment for mesothelioma. These can shrink tumors, alleviate symptoms and decrease pain. They also aid patients to live longer. Before you begin treatment, your doctor will consult with you about the diet you should follow. It is crucial for patients to follow an appropriate diet when they undergo chemotherapy or radiation. Diet is important to prevent weight loss and malnutrition. After your doctor has decided the best treatment for you, they will arrange follow-up appointments. Your first appointment may be with a doctor who specializes in lung diseases (pulmonologist) or abdominal problems (gastroenterologist). The doctors and nurses that you meet during these appointments are part of the mesothelioma multidisciplinary team. The team includes radiologists who are experts in X-rays and oncologists who are specialists in cancer. The team meets weekly to discuss your test results and plan your treatment. This team-based approach to treating mesothelioma is the most effective method to ensure you receive the best care possible. Signs and symptoms The symptoms of mesothelioma vary according to where the tumors are situated in the body. People who have peritoneal or pleural cancer may feel chest discomfort and shortness of breath, while those with pleural or peritoneal cancer may feel bloated, swollen, or feel a sense of abdominal tightness. The symptoms can also be influenced by the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. Mesothelioma patients who are in the latter stages of the disease generally have more painful and severe symptoms. A physical examination is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. A doctor will pay particular attention to the areas of the body that are exhibiting symptoms. They will also ask patients about their history of exposure to asbestos. Chest X-rays are one of the most frequently used methods to detect mesothelioma. The X-ray may reveal abnormal growth of calcium deposits or thickening of the lung lining as well as fluid in the lung space (pleura) caused by mesothelioma. Other diagnostic tests include tests for diagnosis include CT scan as well as an MRI. These tests can provide detailed images of the interior of the body, which can aid doctors in identifying mesothelioma as well as other non-cancerous or cancerous tumors. X-rays or MRIs are also helpful 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 consult their physician immediately. It is essential to make an appointment with a mesothelioma specialist so the doctor is able to accurately diagnose and treat the condition. Patients should bring a list with their symptoms to the appointment to ensure the doctor has all the details needed to make a precise diagnosis. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other diseases which makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the beginning stages of the disease. Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, affects fewer than 3,000 people every year. The majority of people diagnosed have reached the 50-year mark. Asbestos fibers could get stuck in lungs' smallest airways leading to irritation and cell growth. Tumors may form. Mesothelioma can be extend to other organs, such as stomach, heart and testicles. Treatment When mesothelioma at its earliest stages is discovered, doctors can treat the disease to reduce symptoms and prolong the duration of survival. The treatment plan is determined by the type of cancer, its location, and the speed at which it is growing. Mesothelioma can be difficult diagnose because the cells are similar to those of other types of cancer, which can confuse doctors. Doctors perform a physical examination and order imaging scans, such as chest X rays and CT scans to check for abnormalities. They also collect a tissue sample, or biopsy, to check for mesothelioma-related cells in the body. For mesothelioma of the pleural, surgery is often the best option to relieve symptoms and improving survival. Extrapleural pneumonectomy, which eliminates parts of the diaphragm as well as the affected lung, or a pleurectomy with decortication, which removes just the pleura, but not the whole lung, are two of the most common operations. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is not as frequent, but it can ease symptoms by draining fluid build-up from the chest cavity or abdomen. Chemotherapy can be used to slow the growth of cancer cells or kill them once mesothelioma is identified. The most frequently prescribed drugs are pemetrexed, carboplatin, and cisplatin. These medications are usually prescribed in conjunction with other treatments such as radiation and surgery. In some instances mesothelioma may spread to other organs or even metastasizes. This could affect the prognosis of the patient, and reduce the chance of finding a cure. If mesothelioma has spread the doctor may suggest palliative treatment to improve the quality of life and relieve pain and other symptoms. This may include a mix of treatment or an experimental drug. People can also find relief from mesothelioma-related symptoms by alternative treatment such as acupuncture and yoga. Patients with mesothelioma should follow up with a doctor frequently to check how their treatment is going. There isn't a standard schedule of follow-up appointments because each mesothelioma case is different. However, a patient's physician will work with them to establish an appropriate follow-up plan. If someone is interested in taking part in a clinical study, they should consult their doctor about their eligibility. Prognosis The mesothelioma prognosis is based on a variety of factors, including the type and stage of cancer, age and overall health, and how well a patient responds to treatment. A mesothelioma diagnosis does not determine how long a person will live. Many have lived with mesothelioma over decades. Doctors can help patients learn about the mesothelioma diagnosis as well as what it means for them personally. The mesothelioma diagnosis will tell patients how they are likely to recover from the cancer and also their likelihood of recurrence, which could occur years after the initial diagnosis. In general, the fitter an individual is, the higher their mesothelioma survival rates will be. People who have good overall health and normal hemoglobin levels tend to do better, as do non-smokers. Mesothelioma is a result of exposure to asbestos. people who were exposed to asbestos fibres at work are at greater chance of developing the disease. Mesothelioma is a challenging cancer to treat, and patients are often faced with adverse effects like weight loss, fatigue and pain. Doctors may recommend palliative treatment to ease these symptoms and enhance the quality of life for patients. If the cancer has not been able to spread, surgery may be used to remove the tumour. It isn't always successful and will not cure the patient, but it can be effective in managing the symptoms of mesothelioma. Even if Accident Injury Lawyers has spread to other organs, doctors are able to reduce the size of the tumor by using chemotherapy or other treatment options. Recurrence of mesothelioma is common however, it is less frequent than other kinds. Patients should consult with mesothelioma experts to learn as much information about the cancer as they can. A mesothelioma doctor will determine if a patient has a low or a high risk of cancer recurrence depending on the mesothelioma stage and grade. The worse a patient's prognosis is, the more mesothelioma-related stages and grades they are. This is because the cancer is more difficult to treat if it has returned and has grown.