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Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma with a physical exam as well as imaging tests and lab tests. Doctors can also perform biopsy procedures to remove tissues and examine them under a microscope. A pleural biopsy is performed with a chest X-ray or a CT scan to guide the needle into the lung lining. asbestos attorney mesothelioma can be aninvasive and is at risk of revealing false-negative results. Diagnosis It takes time to diagnose mesothelioma, as it is a rare type of cancer. Your doctor will start by taking a medical history and then performing a physical examination to check for signs. They will also inquire about your past work with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos is the most common factor that increases the risk of mesothelioma. The most common indication of mesothelioma is a fluid accumulation around the abdomen or lungs. These fluids are known as pleural effusions or ascites. Doctors test the fluid to determine whether it has cancerous cells. A biopsy is the only way to diagnose mesothelioma for sure. In a biopsy doctors remove only a small amount of affected tissue for analysis in the laboratory. Under a microscope the mesothelioma is inspected to determine if it is cancerous and which type of mesothelioma it's. Doctors can also use other tests in order to determine the extent to which the cancer's spread. If mesothelioma is diagnosed the doctor will discuss the treatment options with you. The treatment you receive will depend on the location of the mesothelioma and the extent of its spread. The first treatment for mesothelioma that your doctor will recommend is typically chemotherapy or radiation. These treatments can shrink tumors and decrease symptoms, and also reduce the pain. They also aid patients to live longer. Before beginning treatment your doctor will consult with you about your diet. It is essential for patients to follow the right diet while they are receiving chemotherapy or radiation. The diet is important as it can help prevent weight loss and malnutrition. After your doctor has determined the best treatment option 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). These doctors and nurses are part of the multidisciplinary mesothelioma team. The team consists of radiologists, who are experts in X-rays and oncologists who are specialists in cancer. The team meets weekly to discuss the results of your tests and plan your care. This team approach to treating mesothelioma is the most effective method to ensure you receive the best treatment. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma symptoms vary by where in the body the tumors grow. People who have peritoneal or pleural cancer may experience chest discomfort and shortness breath, while people with peritoneal or pleural cancer might feel bloated, swollen, or feel a sensation of tightness in the abdomen. Symptoms also depend on the stage of mesothelioma and the extent to which it spreads to other organs or tissues. Mesothelioma patients who are in the late stages of the disease generally suffer more severe and painful symptoms. A physical examination is the first step in diagnosing mesothelioma. A doctor will pay special attention to the areas of the body that show symptoms. Patients will be asked about their asbestos exposure history. Chest Xrays are among the most frequently used methods to detect mesothelioma. The X-ray could reveal abnormal growth of calcium deposits or thickening of the lung lining and fluid in the space between the lungs (pleura) caused by mesothelioma. Other diagnostic tests can include the CT scan as well as an MRI. These tests can create detailed images of the inside of the body. They also help doctors locate mesothelioma and other cancerous and non-cancerous growths. X-rays and MRIs can also aid doctors determine the stage of mesothelioma, which can help patients understand what they can expect regarding treatment options. Patients with extreme symptoms should see their doctor right away. It is crucial to schedule an appointment with a mesothelioma specialist so the doctor can properly diagnose and treat the disease. Patients should bring a list with their symptoms to to ensure the doctor has all the information required to make an accurate diagnosis. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other diseases, making it difficult for doctors at the earliest stages of the disease. Mesothelioma, a rare form 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, causing irritation and cell growth. Tumors may form. Mesothelioma may also extend to other organs, like stomach, heart and testicles. Treatment When mesothelioma in its early stages is detected doctors can treat the disease to reduce symptoms and prolong survival. The treatment plan is determined by the kind of cancer, its place of origin, and the speed at which it is growing. Mesothelioma can be difficult identify because the cells are similar to other types of cancer, which can cause confusion among doctors. To make the diagnosis, doctors perform an examination and request imaging scans, such as chest X-rays or CT scans, in order to look for abnormalities. They also collect a tissue sample or biopsy, to check for mesothelioma cells within the body. Surgery is usually the most effective method to alleviate symptoms and increase the chance of survival for patients with the case of pleural cancer. Extrapleural pneumonectomy that removes portions of the diaphragm and the affected lung, or a pleurectomy with decortication, which removes just the pleura and not the entire lung, are two commonly performed procedures. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma may be less frequent, but it can alleviate symptoms by draining excess fluid from the abdomen or chest cavity. When mesothelioma has been identified, chemotherapy may be used to kill cancerous cells or slow their growth. Pemetrexed is among the most commonly prescribed medications. These are usually prescribed in conjunction with other treatments, including radiation and surgery. In some instances mesothelioma may spread to other areas of the body or metastasizes. This can reduce the chances of a cure, and also affect the prognosis of the patient. If mesothelioma is spreading, the doctor may recommend palliative treatment to improve the quality of life and relieve the symptoms of pain and other. This may include the 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 need to follow up with their doctor regularly to assess 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 establish a schedule for follow-up appointments. If a patient is interested in take part in a clinical trial it is best to talk to their physician about the whether they are eligible. Prognosis Mesothelioma prognosis is based on many factors, including the type and stage of mesothelioma, a 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 decades. Doctors can assist their patients understand the mesothelioma diagnosis and what it means for them personally. The mesothelioma prognosis will inform the patient whether they are likely to recover from the cancer, as well as their likelihood of recurrence, which can happen even years after the initial diagnosis. In general, the more fit an individual is, the higher the chance of being able to beat mesothelioma. Smokers who do not smoke and those with normal haemoglobin tend to have better survival rates, as well as those in good health. Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos. those who have been exposed to asbestos fibers at work are at greater chance of developing the disease. Mesothelioma can be a tough cancer to treat and patients are often faced with symptoms 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 is not growing, surgery can be performed to remove the tumor. While it's not always successful and doesn't cure patients, it is a good way to manage symptoms of mesothelioma. Even if the cancer has spread to other organs, doctors can still reduce the tumour size with chemotherapy or other medical treatment. Recurrence is common among mesothelioma, but the rate of recurrence is less than it is with other types of cancer. Patients should consult a mesothelioma expert and learn as much about the disease as they can. A mesothelioma specialist will also determine if a patient is at an extremely low or low chance of recurrence of cancer by analyzing the mesothelioma's stage and grade. The more mesothelioma stage and grade a patient has, the worse their prognosis will be. This is because mesothelioma can be more difficult to treat if it has returned and has grown.