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Mesothelioma Asbestosis Symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis may be similar. This is because both conditions are caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibers. Pleural mesothelioma can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Mesothelioma has four stages that show how the cancer has spread. Doctors utilize staging to determine the treatment options and expectations for life. Symptoms Mesothelioma (mez-oh-thee-LEE-oh-muh) occurs in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects internal organs. It usually affects the lung lining and chest cavity (pleura) however, it can also occur in the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or around the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma can be malignant. This means that it has the ability to grow and spread outside of the original site. The first symptom is often an unremitting cough that does not produce Phlegm. Other symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and weight loss. In certain cases patients, they experience lumps or swelling in the abdomen. If a patient experiences these symptoms, their doctor may refer them for specialized treatment. The specialist will conduct a series tests to determine if the symptoms are caused by mesothelioma or a different cancer. The doctor will use imaging scans to see inside the abdomen, lungs, or heart and perform biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. When it is pleural mesothelioma that needs to be treated, doctors have two main surgical options: an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) that removes the cancer and a part of the lung affected, the diaphragm, and a small portion of the lining of the heart and a pleurectomy accompanied by pulmonary decortication (P/D) which eliminates the pleura but not the entire lung that is affected. Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. The former uses X-rays that are high-energy at cancerous cells in order to destroy them, and the latter makes use of drugs such as pemetrexed and carboplatin to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Patients must inform their physician whether they've ever been exposed to asbestos. This is vital, as mesothelioma could develop for in the years that follow the initial asbestos exposure. The doctor will also inquire about the frequency and duration of exposure since these can impact the development of symptoms. If Waukegan asbestos lawsuit have mesothelioma, they will request an CT scan to determine how far the cancer spreads throughout the body. If the mesothelioma is spreading to the lung, a bronchoscopy may be performed to examine the lungs' airways and lymph nodes. In certain cases the doctor may recommend a chest MRI or PET-CT scan to determine if the cancer has developed into the heart. Diagnosis The most reliable method to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis is to obtain a tissue or fluid sample. Doctors use this sample to search for cancerous cells that differ from normal cells. A biopsy can be carried out through a needle or surgery. To identify mesothelioma, doctors may use imaging tests like CT scans and x-rays. They may also do a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which is used to detect cancerous cells that have been spreading. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other conditions which makes it difficult to determine. For example the chest pain that is associated with mesothelioma can be mistaken for lung cancer or heart disease. Additionally, the asbestos-related condition known as pleural effusion may be confused with pneumonia or bronchitis. If doctors suspect that a patient has mesothelioma, they will inquire about their previous exposure to asbestos and the symptoms. The doctor will also perform physical examination and inquire about the medical history of relatives. The doctor will request blood and urine testing to look for elevated levels. These tests can be performed in a hospital or at home. These tests will help doctors determine the level of asbestos in the body as well as how well other organs function. They will also want to know if the patient has had any previous surgeries. A CT scan and chest x-ray will be performed to check for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors usually conduct an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create an image of the heart if they believe that a person has pericardial cancer. In the case of pleural mesothelioma, an MRI scan could be beneficial because it gives detailed images of the soft tissues. Mediastinoscopy is a procedure that can be done by inserting a tube that contains cameras and a light inside the chest in order to study and sample lymph nodes close to the center. This is particularly helpful when mesothelioma is spreading to these regions. Treatment Mesothelioma asbestosis is a slow-moving respiratory illness, but there are treatments that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. To ease fatigue and lung pain, doctors can use treatments, fluid draining techniques, or surgery. Doctors can also help patients cope with their loss of energy and how it affects their daily life. The first step to treat mesothelioma asbestosis is finding out if cancerous cells are present. The best way to do this is to take a biopsy. When they perform a biopsy, physicians will take a small piece of mesothelium for examination under a microscope. They are looking for cancerous cells. A biopsy is usually performed by surgery, however, doctors may also perform the thoracentesis procedure. This involves inserting a needle into the chest in order to remove samples of fluid to test. When the test results are available the surgeon can decide to take out any parts of the body affected by mesothelioma or asbestosis. This is most often done for pleural mesothelioma, however, it can be used to treat peritoneal cancer as well. Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining (pleura) of the lungs. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is caused asbestos fibers that are ingested into the digestive tract. Patients can take steps following surgery to improve their level of comfort. These include taking naps earlier in the day, arranging excursions to the mall and other activities when they feel stronger and taking part in moderate exercise to reduce fatigue. Patients can also inquire about clinical trials for treatment of mesothelioma with a health care provider. These trials study new mesothelioma treatment options which aren't yet approved by the FDA. Other treatments may also be available, such as chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. The use of radiation and immunotherapy is to enhance the body's natural defense systems against cancer. The targeted therapy uses specific drugs to combat weaknesses in mesothelioma cancer cells. Because each patient and case is unique, it's important to discuss all treatment options with a mesothelioma expert. Prognosis A prognosis is an approximate estimation of the extent to which a mesothelioma grows and the treatments available. It also informs patients how long they should expect to live after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. The general health of a patient is also an element in the prognosis of mesothelioma. People who are healthier and have higher blood tests, such as normal haemoglobin levels and higher white cell and platelet counts are likely to have a higher chance of surviving the cancer. They also will be better able to handle the effects of chemotherapy and surgery better than those who have less general health. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that typically has a less favorable prognosis than other kinds of cancer. This is due to the fact that it is usually diagnosed later when the disease has already taken hold. Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of many other illnesses. In some cases it can take years for a patient to develop mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. There are two types of mesothelioma, namely pleural and peritoneal. Both are caused by exposure to asbestos. It is a kind of cancer that affects mesothelial cells which cover most of the organs of the body's internal system. The cancerous cells that cause mesothelioma pleural affect the membrane that line the chest cavity. It may also affect the membranes that surround the heart (pericardium), or those around the testicles. Asbestosis is not a form of mesothelioma, but it has similar symptoms to those of mesothelioma. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and it can lead to lung issues, such as the formation of scarring and stiffness in the lungs. Both mesothelioma as well as asbestosis can occur at the same time. Only asbestos-exposed people are at risk of developing mesothelioma. It typically develops on the lining of the chest and abdomen. It is not triggered by smoking cigarettes and the majority of those who have developed mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos when they were working. People who smoke or suffer from other diseases such as diabetes or heart disease could be more likely to develop mesothelioma over others.