What Does Mesothelioma Do?Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma. It can affect the lungs or abdomen.Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to the symptoms of many diseases, and they can take several years to appear. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose precisely. Doctors use a variety of tests, including imaging scans and blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.Pleural mesotheliomaWhen malignant (cancerous cells) infiltrate the lung lining and chest cavity, pleural melanoma can occur. The mesothelium is composed of two layers: an inner one that wraps around organs, such as stomach and the lungs, and an out one that is a protective layer that covers muscles, blood vessels, and bones. Mesothelioma cancer can spread to other parts of your body via spreading (metastasizing) from nearby tissue.Shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue and coughing are all symptoms of mesothelioma. The presence of fluid can be seen in the lungs of some patients (pleural effusion).Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through taking a sample of tissue from the affected area. This is known as a biopsy. A biopsy is then examined under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cell. Doctors will also test to determine the type of mesothelioma, such as epithelioid or and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid is by far the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for 70% to 40 percent. It responds better to treatment. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma can be found in 30% to 40% of all cases and is less sensitive. It also has a lower prognosis.When pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors typically resort to surgery and chemotherapy to treat it. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing. what are signs of mesothelioma is commonly utilized prior to surgery to shrink tumors. It is a method to eliminate any cancerous cells that persist after surgery. Palliative care is also offered to patients with mesothelioma.Patients with pleural mesothelioma can benefit from surgery that removes the pleura and tumors. Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is among the most successful procedures. It involves the removal of a portion of the diaphragm, the affected lung, and a small portion of the of the pleura. A surgeon can also perform a pleurectomy and decortication that is similar to the EPP, but removes more the pleura.If a person's mesothelioma is at an advanced stage the patient may be able to undergo radiation treatment. Radiation therapy uses x rays to destroy cancerous cells. This type of treatment is usually employed when other treatments aren't effective or if the patient is very sick. Doctors may also recommend chemotherapy, surgery and radiation to treat mesothelioma of the pleural region.Peritoneal MesotheliomaPeritoneal Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining in the abdomen known as the peritoneum. It is the second most common mesothelioma that makes approximately 13% of all cases. It is also more rare than pleural msothelioma which affects the lining of the lungs. It is a serious cancer however it can be difficult for doctors to identify.The symptoms may vary based on the location where the tumor is located. For instance, pleural mesothelioma can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and back or chest discomfort, dry cough and difficulty swallowing. Peritoneal mesothelioma could cause bloating, swelling and constipation, weight loss and abdominal pain.Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by performing various tests. These tests include imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans, blood tests, as well as biopsy, which involves taking a sample of tissue to be examined under a magnifying glass.A biopsy can be used to determine the mesothelioma type and whether it is present. The two most frequent mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid is the most popular mesothelioma that is more responsive to treatment. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, however, on the other hand, is more difficult to treat and has a poorer prognosis than epithelioid mesothelioma.The stage of mesothelioma can help doctors plan the best treatment for a patient. There are three main mesothelioma stages - stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3. Stage 1 mesothelioma occurs in the earliest stage, and is often cured by surgery. Stage 2 mesothelioma is usually more advanced than stage 1 and has a higher likelihood of spreading to other areas of the body. Stage 3 mesothelioma is characterized by a lower rate of survival and is usually more severe than stage 2.Treatments for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. The procedure may involve the removal of some or all of the affected tissue. Chemotherapy uses special medicines to shrink or kill the cancerous cells. They can be taken as pills or given through an IV. Radiation therapy is used to treat the tumor area or the entire body. In some instances the use of targeted therapy or immunotherapy can also be utilized.Mesothelium benign tumorsBenign mesothelioma tumors aren't cancerous and aren't able to spread (metastasize) to other organs of the body. They may develop in the pleura, which is a part of the lungs and chest cavity, or in the peritoneum. This is the membrane that surrounds the abdominal organs. Mesothelioma can also begin in the tissue lining of reproductive organs like the fallopian tubes in women or the tunica vaginalis in men. Melothelioma that is benign is rare and makes up less than 10% of mesothelioma cases.The symptoms of benign mesothelioma vary based on the location of the tumor. In the case of pleural mesothelioma, signs include breathlessness, chest pain and difficulty swallowing. The tumor can cause fluid to accumulate in the pleural cavity, which can limit the lung's expansion. This can result in an effusion of pleural fluid. Typically, doctors detect this by using imaging tests such as an Xray and an CT scan. The fluid can cause pain and pressure to the lung and other organs of the thoracic area.Peritoneal Mesothelioma may cause abdominal swelling, pain nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction and blood clotting issues. Benign mesothelioma of the pericardium can cause chest pain and heart palpitations. Mesothelioma recurrent perforations in the tunica vaginalis may cause swollen, painful or lumpy testicles.When it is time to identify mesothelioma the most reliable method is a tissue sample (biopsy). There are two types mesothelioma cell: epithelioid and the sarcomatoid. Epithelioid is more prevalent and is more responsive to treatment. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is more aggressive epithelioid, and has a shorter life expectancy.To diagnose the condition medical professionals may test urine and blood samples, as well as imaging tests like an X-ray scan, a chest CT scan or a positron emission (PET) scan or a mediastinoscopy. These tests will help the doctor determine whether mesothelioma is spreading to other parts of the body. The doctor will utilize this information to determine the stage number, which reveals how far the mesothelioma's progress has been.MetastasesThe mesothelium is composed of cells that protect the organs and tissues of the body. These cells may develop cancer and cause mesothelioma malignant. The cancer may be spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastasis. The most popular mesothelioma type is called the pleural variety. The other two mesothelioma types are the peritoneal (pericardial) and peritoneal (peritoneal).The first sign of mesothelioma might be a persistent cough in the following days, particularly if a person has had an infection in the chest, such as pneumonia or COPD (chronic Obstructive pulmonary disorder). Pain, especially in the chest region, is another commonly seen symptom. Some people may also have an abdominal lump or abdomen.Only doctors can diagnose mesothelioma. They will perform a physical examination and collect the medical records of the patient. They may also perform an X-ray chest scan or CT scan, and they may ask to collect a tissue sample that is referred to as a biopsy. They will examine this under a microscope, and then check for malignant mesothelioma cells.Three different treatments are available for mesothelioma. They include radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. They can be used as a single treatment or in combination, depending on the site of the cancer and whether it has spread.The symptoms of pleural cancer are likely to worsen with time. Doctors may begin treatment early to improve the quality of life for the patient. They may drain the build-up of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusions) to alleviate discomfort, and they could implement procedures to stop the fluid from growing again by using chemicals or drugs to cause the lung lining to scar and stick to the chest wall (pleurodesis). If this isn't working doctors may place an incision into the chest to drain the fluid at home. This is usually carried out 1-2 times each week.Doctors don't have a cure for Mesothelioma however they can manage the symptoms and prolong a person's life. It is essential to see a doctor whenever you suspect that you be suffering from mesothelioma. Also, tell your doctor about any asbestos exposure you've experienced.