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Mesothelioma Diagnosis A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma with an examination, imaging tests and lab tests. Doctors can also perform a biopsy to remove tissue and examine it under a microscope. A pleural biopsy is done using a chest X-ray or a CT scan to guide the needle into the lung lining. The procedure is aninvasive and is at risk of revealing false-negative results. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare cancer which means it takes time to establish an official diagnosis. Your doctor will start by taking your medical history and conducting an examination to look for signs. They will also inquire about your previous asbestos work. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma. Fluid accumulation around the abdomen or the lungs is often the first sign of Mesothelioma. These fluids are called pleural effusion or ascites. Doctors test the fluid to determine if it contains cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to determine if mesothelioma is present. When a biopsy is performed the doctor will remove a small part of the affected tissue and test it in a lab. Under microscopes, the mesothelioma is examined to determine whether it is cancerous and what type of mesothelioma it is. Doctors may also conduct other tests to determine the extent to which the cancer's spread. Your doctor will discuss with you your treatment options if mesothelioma has been diagnosed. Your treatment will vary based on the area of the mesothelioma and how far it's spread. The first mesothelioma treatment that your doctor will suggest is usually chemotherapy or radiation. These treatments can shrink tumors and reduce symptoms, and also decrease the pain. They can also help patients live longer. Your doctor will discuss diet with you prior to beginning treatment. Patients must maintain a healthy eating pattern during chemotherapy or radiation. The diet is also important because it helps in preventing weight loss and malnutrition. Your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments when they have determined 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 doctors and nurses that you meet during these appointments are part of your mesothelioma multidisciplinary group. mesothelioma legal representation consists of radiologists, who are experts in X-rays and oncologists who are specialists in cancer. The team meets regularly to discuss 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 The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on the location where the tumors are situated in the body. For instance, those who have pleural mesothelioma might feel chest pain and shortness of breath, while those with mesothelioma in the peritoneal region may experience swelling in the abdomen or a bloated feeling. The symptoms can also be influenced by the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. Mesothelioma patients who are in the late stages of the disease generally have more severe and painful symptoms. The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is to conduct a physical examination. A doctor will pay close focus on 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 can show abnormal thickening or calcium deposits on the lung lining and fluid in the space between the lungs (pleura) caused by mesothelioma. Other diagnostic tests include a CT scan as well as an MRI. These tests provide precise images of the inside of the body. These images can aid doctors in identifying mesothelioma and other cancerous or non-cancerous tumors. X-rays and MRIs can also help doctors determine the stage of mesothelioma, which can help patients understand what to expect in terms of treatment options. If a patient is experiencing severe symptoms, they must visit their doctor immediately. It is essential to make an appointment with a mesothelioma expert so that the doctor can properly diagnose and treat the disease. Patients should bring a list with their symptoms to the appointment to ensure the doctor has all the details necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases which makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the early stages of the disease. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, affects fewer than 3,000 people each year. Most of those diagnosed are over the age of 50. Asbestos fibers could get stuck in the airways of the lungs' smallest leading to irritation and growth of cells. Tumors may form. Mesothelioma can also be spread to the linings of other organs such as the heart, stomach and testicles. Treatment If mesothelioma has been diagnosed in the earliest stages doctors can treat it to manage symptoms and extend 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 because the cells look identical to other forms of cancer. This can cause confusion. To determine the diagnosis, doctors conduct an examination and request imaging scans, like chest X-rays and CT scans, to look for any abnormalities. They also collect an organ sample or biopsy, to test for mesothelioma-related cells within the body. Surgery is often the most effective way to reduce symptoms and improve survival in pleural cancer. Operations include an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) which eliminates the affected lung as well as parts of the diaphragm. Another option is a pleurectomy and decortication which removes the pleura but not the entire lung. Surgery for peritoneal msothelioma although not as common can help alleviate symptoms by draining fluid from the chest cavity or abdominal area. Chemotherapy is a method to slow the growth of cancerous cells or kill them after the mesothelioma has been identified. Pemetrexed is one of the most prescribed medications. These drugs are often prescribed in conjunction with other treatments, such as radiation and surgery. In certain cases mesothelioma may spread to other areas of the body or even metastasizes. This can impact the prognosis of the patient and decrease the chance of a cure. If mesothelioma has mutated the doctor may suggest palliative treatment to improve the quality of life and alleviate pain and other symptoms. This could include a combination of treatments or an experimental drug. People can also find relief from mesothelioma-related symptoms through alternative treatment such as acupuncture and yoga. Patients with mesothelioma should check in with their physician regularly to assess the progress of their treatment. Because each mesothelioma has its own unique characteristics it is not possible to establish a routine schedule for follow-up appointments. However, a patient's doctor will work with them to create an appropriate follow-up plan. If a patient is interested in participating in a clinical study they should consult their doctor regarding eligibility. Prognosis The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on a number of factors, including the type and stage of cancer, age and overall health, and how well a patient reacts 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 assist patients in understanding their mesothelioma prognosis as well as what it means for them personally. The mesothelioma prognosis will inform patients how they are likely to recover from the cancer and also their chances of recurrence. This can occur even years after the initial diagnosis. In general, the healthier an individual is, the higher the odds of beating 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, and those who have been exposed to the fibres while at work are at a higher chance of developing the disease. Patients often experience adverse effects, like fatigue and pain, as well as weight loss. Palliative care is often advised by doctors to decrease these symptoms, and improve the quality of life for their patients. If the cancer hasn't progressed, surgery can be performed to eliminate the tumor. This is not always successful and will not cure the patient but it is an effective way to manage the symptoms of mesothelioma. If the cancer has spread, doctors can often reduce the size of the tumour with chemotherapy or other treatments. Recurrence of mesothelioma is common however it is not as frequent than other types. Patients should work with mesothelioma experts and learn as much about the cancer as possible. A mesothelioma doctor will determine if a patient has a low or high chance of recurrence of cancer based on the mesothelioma stage and grade. The more stages and grades of mesothelioma a patient is diagnosed with the worse their outlook will be. The cancer can be more difficult to treat in the event that the cancer has recurred or progressed.