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Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can identify mesothelioma by a physical exam as well as imaging tests and lab work. Doctors can also conduct a biopsy, which involves taking tissue and then examining it under a magnifying glass. A chest X-ray or CT scan is used to guide the needle through the lining of the lung. The procedure is aninvasive and is at risk of yielding 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 determine if there are any signs. They will also ask about your past work with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma. Often, the first indication of mesothelioma is a fluid accumulation around the abdomen or lungs. These fluids are referred to as Ascites or pleural effusions. Doctors examine the fluid to determine if it contains any cancer cells. A biopsy is the only method to determine mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed the doctor will remove a small part of the affected tissue to be examined in a lab. The mesothelioma cell is examined under microscopes to determine whether they are cancerous and the mesothelioma type. Doctors may also perform other tests in order to determine the extent to which the cancer's spreads. If mesothelioma has been diagnosed, your doctor will discuss the treatment options with you. Depending on the location of the mesothelioma and the extent to which it has spread, the treatment could be more or less invasive. The first treatment for mesothelioma that your doctor will recommend is typically chemotherapy or radiation. These treatments can shrink tumors and reduce symptoms, and also decrease pain. They can also assist patients live longer. Before beginning treatment, your doctor will talk to you about your diet. It is crucial for patients to follow a healthy diet while they undergo chemotherapy or radiation. The diet is important because it helps in preventing weight loss and malnutrition. Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments once they have decided on the most effective treatment for you. 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 includes radiologists who are experts in X-rays, and oncologists who are specialists in cancer. The team meets regularly to discuss test results and to plan care. This team approach to treating mesothelioma is the most effective way to ensure you receive the best treatment. Symptoms The symptoms of mesothelioma differ depending on the location where the tumors are located in the body. alabama mesothelioma attorney with peritoneal or pleural cancer may experience chest discomfort and shortness breath, whereas those suffering from peritoneal or pleural cancer might feel bloated, swollen or feel a sense of abdominal tightness. The symptoms are also dependent on how far the mesothelioma has spread. Patients with mesothelioma in its final stages typically suffer more severe and painful symptoms. The first step in identifying mesothelioma is an examination. 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 common methods used to detect mesothelioma. The X-ray could reveal abnormal growth of calcium deposits or thickening of the lung lining and 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 provide precise images of the internal organs of the body and help doctors locate mesothelioma and other cancerous and non-cancerous growths. 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 is experiencing severe symptoms, they must consult their physician immediately. It is essential to make an appointment with a mesothelioma specialist so the doctor can properly diagnose and treat the disease. Patients should bring their symptoms to the appointment so that the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. Symptoms of mesothelioma can mimic those of many other illnesses and it can be difficult for doctors to determine the condition at the earliest stages. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, affects less than 3,000 Americans each year. Most of those diagnosed are over the 50-year mark. Asbestos fibers could get stuck in the airways of the lungs' smallest leading to irritation and growth of cells. Tumors can develop. Mesothelioma may also expand to other organs like stomach, the heart and testicles. Treatment When mesothelioma in its earliest stages is diagnosed 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 place of origin, and the speed at which it is growing. It can be a challenge for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma since the cells appear so similar to other types of cancer. This can lead to confusion. To establish the diagnosis, doctors perform an examination and request imaging scans, like chest X-rays and CT scans, in order to look for any abnormalities. They also collect a sample of tissue, also known as a biopsy, to determine if mesothelioma cancer cells. Surgery is typically the most effective way to reduce symptoms and improve the chance of survival for patients with pleural cancer. Operations include an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), which removes the affected lung and parts of the diaphragm. Or a pleurectomy that includes decortication, which removes the pleura but not the entire lung. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is not as common but can help ease symptoms by draining fluid accumulation from the chest cavity or abdomen. If mesothelioma is found out chemotherapy can be utilized to kill the cancer cells or slow their growth. Some of the most frequently prescribed drugs are pemetrexed cisplatin and carboplatin. These drugs are usually prescribed in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery and radiation. In some cases cancer may spread to other parts of your body. This can affect the prognosis of the patient, and reduce the chance of getting cured. 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 could include the trial of an experimental drug or a combination of treatments. People can also find relief from mesothelioma related symptoms through alternative treatments like acupuncture and yoga. Patients with mesothelioma should follow up with a doctor frequently to see how their treatment is progressing. Because each mesothelioma has its own unique characteristics, there is not a regular schedule for follow-up visits. The doctor will work with the patient to develop a schedule for follow-up appointments. If a patient wishes to take part in a clinical trial, they should talk with their doctor regarding whether they are eligible. Prognosis The mesothelioma prognosis is based on a variety of factors, including the stage and type of cancer, age and overall health, as well as how well a patient responds to treatment. A mesothelioma diagnosis does not necessarily tell us the length of time a patient will live, but many patients have survived mesothelioma over many years. Doctors can help patients understand their mesothelioma prognosis as well as what it means to them personally. The mesothelioma diagnosis will tell the patient whether 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 more fit an individual is, the better their mesothelioma survival rate will be. People who aren't smokers and have normal haemoglobin levels tend to have better survival rates, and also those in good health. Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos, and those who were exposed to asbestos fibres in their work environments are at greater risk of developing the disease. Mesothelioma can be a tough cancer to treat and patients often experience symptoms like weight loss, fatigue and pain. Palliative care is often suggested by doctors to lessen these symptoms, and to improve the quality of life for their patients. If the cancer hasn't spread, surgery can be used to remove the tumor. Although it's not always successful and doesn't cure patients, it is an effective way to control symptoms of mesothelioma. If the cancer has spread, doctors can often reduce the size of the tumour through chemotherapy or other medical treatments. Recurrence of mesothelioma is common however, it is less frequent than other types. Patients should consult with a mesothelioma expert and learn as much information about the cancer as they can. A mesothelioma doctor will determine if a patient has a low or a high chance of recurrence of cancer depending on the mesothelioma stage and grade. The more stages and grades of mesothelioma a patient has and the worse their chances of survival will be. This is because mesothelioma can be harder to treat if it has returned and has gotten worse.