What is Mesothelioma?Rare cancer that occurs in the thin layer that covers a variety of internal organs, including the abdomen, lungs and peritoneum. It can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain and a dry cough.Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed by taking an in-situ sample of the mass or tumor, referred to as biopsy. Doctors can identify it by images taken with an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI.Signs and symptomsMesothelioma is a cancerous disease that affects organ linings within the body, is a type of cancer. It is typically caused by exposure to asbestos. what causes mesothelioma can cause pain breathing problems, nausea and other symptoms throughout the body. The symptoms can vary based on where the cancer is and what kind of mesothelioma is it.Mesothelioma isn't easy to diagnose because it has similar symptoms to other illnesses. Talk to your doctor and inform him about your history of asbestos exposure. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and request tests to determine if you have mesothelioma. This could include chest X-ray, CT scan or blood tests. You might also have to have a biopsy to remove a small piece of tissue to examine under microscope.These tests are used by your physician to determine the stage of mesothelioma. A higher number of staging numbers indicates that the cancer has spread. The majority of mesothelioma stage are incurable, but treatment is available to treat symptoms and prolong the life.Mesothelioma can be classified into three types by doctors based on the tissues that are affected. The most frequent type is epithelial mesothelioma, which accounts for approximately 50 percent of all cases. The other two types are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid. These types are associated with lower survival rates.If a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma their doctor will discuss treatment options. These may include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Some doctors also recommend multimodality therapy, which is a combination of treatments.Patients suffering from pleural cancer could undergo chemotherapy prior to surgery to reduce tumors. They can also undergo a procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves the use of an agent that causes the lung lining to be scarred and adhere to each other, ensuring that fluid does not build up in the lungs.Patients with mesothelioma need to talk with their doctor about ways to reduce stress and ways to improve quality of life. Many mesothelioma patients experience lots of stress in their lives, including financial concerns and caring for loved family members. They can try to reduce stress by exercising, meditation and other activities. Patients can also seek assistance through support groups or an expert in mental health.DiagnosisDoctors first diagnose mesothelioma through reviewing the health history of a patient and doing a physical examination. The doctor will inquire about the patient's exposure to asbestos and any symptoms they may be experiencing. Mesothelioma is often difficult to identify since it is a rare condition and its symptoms are similar to those of many other conditions.The stage of mesothelioma can be determined by a combination test when a doctor has diagnosed the disease. The stage of a mesothelioma can help doctors plan the treatment and to predict the prognosis. The most common test used to detect mesothelioma is a chest x-ray. This will show if the cancer has taken over the lungs and could also reveal the presence of fluid or thickening of the Pleura (the membrane which surrounds the lungs).In addition, a blood test is often taken to see whether mesothelioma cells release certain markers. These blood tests can be inaccurate and misleading since mesothelioma could look like a normal cell.A biopsy is usually requested by a doctor if an imaging scan shows the possibility of a tumor or mass. This involves removing a small sample of tissue from the affected area. A pathologist will examine the sample under a microscope to search for mesothelioma-like cells and determine their location, origin and type.The most frequent mesothelioma type is epithelial, which creates a thin layer of cells over the chest wall and lungs. Around 50% of mesothelioma cases are epithelial. Other types include sarcomatoid, biphasic and thicker cell masses. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma, although less prevalent is more invasive than epithelial Mesothelioma and has a poorer prognosis.In certain cases a biopsy can be performed by using a tube equipped with cameras and instruments that can get to the area of concern. In other instances the surgeon will make an incision to remove a piece of tissue. The tissue will be sent to a lab to be examined for mesothelioma. In the course of the biopsy, doctors collect a sample of liquid from any area that has mesothelioma.TreatmentMesothelioma is a cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is a layer of cells that surrounds and protects organs throughout the body. The chest and abdominal cavities, known as the pleura, is most commonly affected, but mesothelioma can also be found in the pericardium and peritoneum.A specialist mesothelioma doctor should be consulted by anyone diagnosed with the disease. The first step is an examination of the affected areas. Doctors will ask about past asbestos exposure and may request imaging scans like a CT scan or MRI. These tests help doctors identify possible signs of mesothelioma and rule out other illnesses such as pneumonia or lung cancer.These and other medical records are used by doctors to determine if mesothelioma symptoms are present, as well as the mesothelioma type like epithelial or sarcomatoid. Doctors will also discuss available treatments options.Treatment is affected by the type of mesothelioma, the location of the tumors, their severity and other variables. Mesothelioma is divided into stages based on the degree of advanced the cancer is and if it has spread beyond its initial site.Surgery can ease many symptoms, including chest pain and breathlessness caused by fluid buildup (pleural effusion). For mesothelioma of the pleura, surgeons can remove the fluid or perform an operation called extrapleural pneumonectomy which involves the removal of part of the affected lung, pleura, several nearby lymph nodes and the diaphragm or part of the lining surrounding the heart (pericardium).Pleurodesis, a procedure that uses a chemical to mark the pleura, and make it stick to the lung, can alleviate symptoms for patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma. A tube may be placed in the chest and used to drain the fluid at home.If mesothelioma hasn't yet spread, chemotherapy is used to shrink tumors and increase the time of survival. Chemotherapy is often combined with other treatments, such as radiation therapy or surgery to treat the patient as holistically as is possible. Palliative care can be helpful for those with mesothelioma. It can ease depression, fatigue, and pain.PrognosisIf a patient has an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma, their prognosis will depend on the type of mesothelioma they have and how far the cancer has spread. The survival rate for mesothelioma is determined by four different stages.Most mesothelioma cases are diagnosed after the cancer has spread. The majority of the time, pleural cancer affects the linings of the lungs and the chest wall. The mesothelioma type typically causes symptoms such as difficulty breathing and chest pain. A buildup of fluid in the lungs could be a symptom of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma found in the abdomen lining, called peritoneal mesothelioma has a different prognosis than mesothelioma pleural. Peritoneal mesothelioma, on the other hand, is much prevalent and is more difficult to treat than mesothelioma of the pleural region. Pericardial mesothelioma is more difficult treat than pleural melanoma.Mesothelioma treatments are usually targeted at reducing symptoms and prolonging the life of patients. Palliative care is the name of this treatment. Symptoms like pain can be controlled with medication and physical therapy. Fluid can be drained from the chest in order to relieve pressure on the lung. Mesothelioma patients that are in the final stages of their disease can receive treatments such as a lung transplant to improve their quality of life.The outlook for mesothelioma patients can be affected by a person's age and gender and general health. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women however, both can be assured of a favorable outcome when treated by mesothelioma specialists.People with a poorer prognosis tend to be older and less healthy. Patients with these conditions are more likely to develop mesothelioma that has spread to other parts of the body. Patients with this condition may experience difficulties breathing or experience swelling and pain in areas of their body that aren't affected by mesothelioma. Treatment options for these patients could include the combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. A mesothelioma specialist can help patients to understand the outlook for their disease and what to expect. Patients should also share their asbestos exposure background.