What is the Mesothelioma?Mesothelioma, a type of cancer, occurs in the layer of tissue that protects your organs. It usually begins in the tissue lining (pleura) of your lungs. It can also start in the tissues around your testicles or the heart.Your doctor will perform an examination of your body and review your medical records, including asbestos exposure. He or she may order chest X-rays, the CT scan, or blood tests.Pleural mesotheliomaThe most commonly malignant mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma. It occurs in the lung's lining (pleura).A variety of factors can trigger the development of this cancer. This includes exposure to asbestos in the workplace as well as genetics and other illnesses. In the United States, the majority of pleural mesothelioma patients are male. The exposure to asbestos in the military is a major factor for many veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.Doctors diagnose mesothelioma using an array of tests. A doctor will begin by performing a physical exam and obtaining the patient's medical history. The doctor will also use imaging scans such as X scans or CT scans to determine if there is an enlarged pleura. A pleural effusion, or the accumulation of fluid around the lung, is often the first indication of mesothelioma. These pleural effusions can be caused by scar tissue that takes up space and pushes the fluid into pockets between lungs.The doctor can then order an aspiration biopsy to obtain tissue samples to further analyze. A needle aspiration procedure is also a possibility, which involves inserting the needle with local anesthesia and then into the chest wall. However, this procedure is not as reliable for diagnosis.A biopsy can assist doctors determine the stage of pleural mesothelioma. The mesothelioma stages are based on the size and location of the tumor (T-score), whether or whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes (N-score) and the extent to which the cancer has spread to other organs (M-score).The doctors will decide the next step once they have received the biopsy results. They could decide to undergo surgery to remove the tumor or administer chemotherapy prior or after surgery to shrink the cancerous tumor and eliminate any remaining cells. The use of palliative care is often recommended to alleviate symptoms such as pain, coughing, and breathlessness. Chemotherapy treatment for mesothelioma of the pleural usually consists of the drugs ALIMTA(r) and Cisplatin. This treatment can improve the quality of life of the late-stage mesothelioma patients by slowing down the growth and spread of tumors.Peritoneal mesotheliomaPeritoneal Mesothelioma (PM) is a cancerous tumor that develops in the lining, or peritoneum, of the abdominal cavity. Like pleural mesothelioma, it is caused by exposure to asbestos. Contrary to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma isn't always symptomatic in its initial stages. When symptoms do occur they usually resemble other digestive disorders. This can delay diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include abdominal pain, bloating the abdomen, nausea, irregular stool movements as well as weight loss and fever.Doctors make use of x-rays CT scans, and MRIs to detect mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. They also perform the peritoneoscopy procedure to biopsy mesothelioma tumors. During this process, they place an instrument tube that has camera into the abdomen. A tool at the end of the tube is used to collect a sample of tissue for testing. The doctor then sends the sample to a lab to determine mesothelioma.The prognosis of peritoneal Msothelioma depends on the cell type and the stage of cancer. Patients with epithelioid or sarcomatoid cancer cells have a lower prognosis. In addition, a patient's gender and the location of the tumor affects their prognosis. Females and women born have a better outlook for mesothelioma than men or those born male.Mesothelioma treatment usually involves the cytoreductive procedure and hyperthermic intraoperative chemotherapy (HIPEC). During cytoreduction doctors remove the most mesothelioma they can. They can also remove organs within the affected area, including the liver and spleen. HIPEC is an abdominal procedure during which the surgeon injects heated chemotherapy. The hot chemotherapy kills any remaining mesothelioma cancer cells and eases symptoms.Certain patients are treated using the combination of chemotherapies as well as other drugs. A mesothelioma expert can help determine which treatment plan is best for each patient. They can also recommend alternative treatments to reduce side effects and pain. Before an appointment, patients should prepare a list of their questions to ask their doctors. This will help them feel better prepared for their appointments and ensure that they receive the right information. It can also assist them to communicate effectively with their doctor.Cardiac MesotheliomaPericardial Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that is found in the tissue (pericardium) of the heart. It is extremely rare. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with symptoms that are similar to other heart ailments making it difficult to identify. The symptoms include a swell around the heart, referred to as pericardial effusion. It also indicates thickening of pericardium, and an inability of the heart to contract or expand normally. Patients with pericardial mesothelioma may experience fatigue and coughing, weight loss as well as anemia and swelling.Patients with pericardial or other peritoneal cancers might have a more difficult time diagnosing mesothelioma. This is because pericardial mesothelioma is much less recognized and doctors are still learning how to detect it. Patients with pericardial melanoma should discuss their asbestos exposure background with their doctor. They should also talk about any chest pains or unusual symptoms.Once a physician suspects mesothelioma, they'll run a series tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine its stage. A physical exam, X-rays, CT scans, and maybe an MRI will be performed. A pericardial effusion can be confirmed using an echocardiogram or by the pericardiocentesis. These tests will check for mesothelioma cells in the heart's fluid.The type of mesothelioma a patient is diagnosed with can affect their survival rate. Certain types of mesothelioma are more receptive to treatment than other. Mesothelioma survival rates are affected by the extent to which the cancer is in its progress and also the extent to which it has spread to other areas of the body.Mesothelioma patients should collaborate with their physicians to create a mesothelioma treatment plan that will help them improve their odds of survival. Mesothelioma surgery can eliminate tumors from affected areas and stop the growth of new ones. Chemotherapy is a different treatment for mesothelioma which can prolong the life of mesothelioma.Despite the lower rate of survival of mesothelioma patients, it's essential to seek treatment. A diagnosis of mesothelioma is terrifying but a mesothelioma survivorship specialist can help patients find the best treatments to increase their chances of survival. Learn more about the ways to improve your mesothelioma rates by getting a free survivors' guide today.Vascular mesotheliomaIn vascular mesothelioma cancerous cells grow in blood vessels that line organs throughout the body. The tumors typically develop in the lungs, however they may also grow in other areas of the abdomen and chest, including the heart. Mesothelioma usually affects the pleura. The Pleura is a membrane made of two layers that surrounds and protects the lungs and chest cavity. Normally there is a small amount of fluid helps to lubricate the pleura, allowing it can slide across each other smoothly when you breathe, however, in some instances mesothelioma could cause a buildup of fluid and stop the lung's capacity from expanding properly.The diagnosis of mesothelioma starts with a complete medical examination. The doctor will inquire about your asbestos exposure and perform an CT scan or chest xray to check for fluid or a lung tumor. In many cases mesothelioma biopsies are required to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is a surgical procedure where tiny mesothelial cells are removed from the lining of your body and tested for signs of cancer.Generally, mesothelioma is divided into three types according to the type of tissue where it forms. The most commonly encountered type is epithelioid mesothelioma, which tends to have a better survival rate than the other two types. In some cases mesothelioma may be mixed or sarcomatoid. These forms have a lower survival rate.Mesothelioma patients may be helped with palliative treatment to improve the quality of their lives. These treatments can reduce pain, nausea and other symptoms that often accompany the disease. These services can be provided by nurses, doctors and other specialists.Recognizing mesothelioma as early as you can is the best method to fight it. This will enable you to be treated with options that will improve your chances of a longer, healthier and happier life. At Nuvance Health, we can offer you access to nationally recognized physicians who employ the latest methods. Contact what's mesothelioma cancer to learn more about how we can assist you.