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Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can diagnose the disease with a physical exam, imaging tests and laboratory work. Doctors can also perform biopsy, which entails the removal of tissue and examination under a magnifying lens. A chest X-ray, also known as a CT scan is used to guide the needle through the lining of the lung. The procedure is injurious and can produce false-negative results. Diagnosis It takes time to diagnose mesothelioma, as it is a rare type of cancer. Your doctor will begin by taking a medical history, and then doing a physical exam to look for indications. They will also inquire about any asbestos-related work you have done previously. The exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of mesothelioma. The most common indication of mesothelioma is a fluid buildup around the lungs or abdomen. These fluids are referred to as Ascites or pleural effusions. Doctors test this fluid to see if it contains cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to diagnose mesothelioma. In a biopsy, doctors remove a small portion of the affected tissue to be examined in a laboratory. The mesothelioma cells are analyzed under microscopes to determine if they are cancerous, and the mesothelioma type. Doctors may also perform other tests to determine the extent at which the cancer's spreads. Your doctor will discuss with you the options for treatment 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. The doctor you see will typically recommend radiation or chemotherapy as the initial treatment for mesothelioma. These treatments can shrink tumors, and reduce symptoms, as well as lessen the pain. They can also assist patients to live longer. Your doctor will discuss diet with you before beginning treatment. Patients must adhere to an appropriate eating routine while receiving radiation or chemotherapy. Diet is important to prevent 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 the mesothelioma multidisciplinary team. They include X-ray specialists called radiologists, as well as cancer specialists referred to as oncologists. The team meets every week to discuss the results of tests and to 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 can vary based on the location in the body where the tumors grow. For huntsville mesothelioma attorneys , patients with pleural mesothelioma may suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and shortness of breath, while those suffering from mesothelioma peritoneal may experience abdominal swelling or a bloated feeling. The symptoms can also be influenced by the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. Patients with mesothelioma in its last stages typically have more severe and painful symptoms. A physical examination is the initial step to diagnosing mesothelioma. A doctor will pay particular attention to the parts of the body where patients are experiencing symptoms. They will also inquire with patients about their experiences with exposure to asbestos. A chest X-ray is among the most frequently used tests to detect mesothelioma. The X-ray could reveal abnormal growth of the lung lining or calcium deposits, as well as fluid in the space (pleura) between the lungs caused by mesothelioma. Other diagnostic tests may include tests for diagnosis include CT scan as well as an MRI. These tests can provide detailed images of the inside of the body. These images help doctors to locate mesothelioma and other cancerous or non-cancerous tumors. X-rays or MRIs can also be useful in determining the stage of mesothelioma. This will allow patients to better understand their treatment options. Patients with severe symptoms should see their physician immediately. Arrange an appointment with a specialist in mesothelioma so that the doctor can diagnose and treat your disease. Patients should bring their symptoms with them to the appointment to enable the doctor to make a precise diagnosis. Symptoms of mesothelioma can mimic those of many other illnesses which is why it's often difficult for doctors to identify the condition in its early stages. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects fewer than 3,000 people in the United States each year, and the majority of those diagnosed are men over 50 years old. Asbestos fibers can become lodged in the small airways in the lungs, damaging the lining of the lungs and causing cell growth that develops into tumors. Mesothelioma can also spread to the linings of organs like the heart, stomach and testicles. Treatment When mesothelioma in its earliest stages is diagnosed, doctors can treat the disease to manage symptoms and prolong survival. The treatment plan is based on the type of mesothelioma and its location, and how fast the cancer is growing. It can be difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma because the cells look so similar to other types of cancer. This can lead to confusion. Doctors conduct a physical exam and order imaging scans, such as chest X rays and CT scans to check for abnormalities. They also take an organ sample or biopsy, to test for mesothelioma cells in the body. For mesothelioma of the pleural, surgery is usually the best option to relieve symptoms and increasing the chance of survival. Extrapleural pneumonectomy, which removes portions of the diaphragm and the affected lung or a pleurectomy with decortication that removes only the pleura and not the entire lung, are two common procedures. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is less common, but it can help alleviate symptoms by draining the excess fluid from the chest cavity or abdomen. Chemotherapy can be used to slow the growth of cancer cells or kill them after mesothelioma has been found. Pemetrexed is among the most commonly prescribed drugs. These are usually given in conjunction with other treatments, like radiation and surgery. In certain cases, the cancer can be spread to other parts of your body. This could reduce the likelihood for a cure and impact the person's prognosis. If mesothelioma is spreading The doctor may recommend palliative care to improve the quality of life and alleviate the symptoms of pain and other. This could include a combination of treatment or an experimental drug. Some people also experience relief from mesothelioma-related symptoms by alternative treatments like acupuncture and yoga. Patients with mesothelioma should follow up with their doctor regularly to check on the progress of their treatment. There is no set schedule of follow-up appointments because every mesothelioma situation is different. The doctor will work with the patient to establish a schedule for follow-up visits. If a patient wants to participate in a clinical trial they should speak with their physician about the whether they are eligible. Prognosis Mesothelioma prognosis depends on many factors, including stage and type of mesothelioma, the patient's overall health and age, and how well they respond to treatment. The mesothelioma prognosis doesn't necessarily indicate how long a person will live, but many patients have survived mesothelioma for many years. Doctors can help patients comprehend their mesothelioma prognosis as well as what it means for them personally. The mesothelioma prognosis will tell patients how they are likely to recover from the cancer, as well as their likelihood of recurrence, which could occur years after the initial diagnosis. In general, the healthier a person is the better the odds of being able to beat mesothelioma. People who are in good overall health and normal hemoglobin levels tend to do better, as do non-smokers. Mesothelioma is often caused by asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to fibres while at work are more likely to develop the disease. Patients are often affected by adverse effects, like fatigue or pain, as well as weight loss. Doctors may recommend palliative treatment to alleviate these symptoms and enhance the quality of life for patients. If the cancer has not spread, 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 when the cancer has spread to other organs, doctors can still reduce the tumour size by using chemotherapy or other medical treatment. The recurrence of mesothelioma is quite common however, it is less frequent than other types. It is important for patients to consult a mesothelioma specialist and take the time to find out as much as they can about the cancer. A mesothelioma doctor will also consider whether the patient is at a high or low chance of the cancer recurring based on their mesothelioma staging and grade. The more mesothelioma stage and grade a patient is diagnosed with, the worse their prognosis will be. The cancer may be more difficult to treat when the cancer has recurred or gotten worse.