What Does Mesothelioma Do?Asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause. It can be a problem for the abdomen, lungs or the peritoneum.The symptoms of mesothelioma may manifest over several years. It is therefore difficult to determine the exact diagnosis of mesothelioma. Doctors employ a variety of tests to confirm the diagnosis, which includes images and blood tests.Pleural mesotheliomaWhen malignant (cancerous cells) invade the lung lining and chest cavity, pleural mesothelioma can occur. The mesothelium consists of two layers: an inner one that covers the organs such as the stomach and the lungs, and an external one that protects muscles, blood vessels and bones. The mesothelioma tumor cells can multiply and destroy nearby tissue and then spread (metastasize) to other organs of the body.The symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain and fatigue. There may be fluid in the lungs of a few patients (pleural effusion).Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by taking a tissue sample from the affected area. This is known as a biopsy. The biopsy is examined under microscopes to look for mesothelioma. Doctors may also perform tests to determine the type of mesothelioma that is known as epithelioid, sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 70 percent to 40% of all diagnoses and is more responsive to treatment. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is found in 30-40 percent of cases, and is less responsive. It also has a poorer prognosis.When pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors typically use surgery and chemotherapy to treat it. Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to kill cancer cells and stop them from forming. It is usually administered prior to surgery to shrink tumors, known as neoadjuvant therapy. It can also be used after surgery to kill cancerous cells that remain. Doctors also give patients palliative care to ease symptoms of mesothelioma.Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma may benefit from surgery that eliminates the pleura and tumors. One of the most successful procedures is extrapleural pneumonectomy, or EPP. It involves the removal of a portion of diaphragm, a damaged lung, and a small portion of the pleura. A surgeon can also carry out a pleurectomy and decortication that is similar to EPP, however, it removes more pleura.The use of radiation therapy can be considered if a person has mesothelioma in an advanced stage. Radiation therapy uses x-rays to kill cancerous cells. This type of treatment is generally only utilized when other treatments aren't effective or if a patient is extremely sick. Doctors may also give chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation to treat mesothelioma pleural.Peritoneal mesotheliomaPeritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the abdomen's lining, known as the peritoneum. It is the second-most common mesothelioma type and accounts for approximately 13 percent of cases. It is also less common than pleural mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the lining of lungs. It is a serious form of cancer, but it can be difficult for doctors to identify.The symptoms can vary depending on the location of the tumor. Pleural mesothelioma for instance may cause symptoms like breathing problems, chest or back discomfort dry cough, and difficulty swallowing. Peritoneal mesothelioma may cause bloating, swelling and weight loss, constipation, and abdominal pain.Doctors are able to diagnose mesothelioma using various tests. These tests include imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and blood tests and a biopsy, which is the process of taking a sample of tissue to be examined under a magnifying lens.A biopsy can assist doctors determine if mesothelioma is present, as well as the type of mesothelioma found. The two most common mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid is the most popular mesothelioma that responds better to treatment. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is more difficult treat and has a poorer prognosis.The stage of mesothelioma aids doctors plan the best treatment plan 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 it is often cured by surgery. Stage 2 mesothelioma is usually more advanced than stage 1 and has a higher likelihood of spreading to other parts of the body. Stage 3 mesothelioma is generally more severe than stage 2 and has a lower survival rate.Mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. The surgery may involve removing some or all of the affected tissue. Chemotherapy involves the use of specific medicines that reduce or kill cancerous cells. They can be administered in pills or administered through an IV. Radiation therapy is used to treat tumors or the entire body. In some cases the combination of immunotherapy and targeted therapy may be used.Benign tumors of the MesotheliumThe benign mesothelioma cancers are not cancerous and they do not spread to other parts of the human body. They can develop in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds abdominal organs) or in the pleura that cover the chest cavity and lungs. Mesothelioma can also develop in the tissue lining of reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes in women, or the tunica vaginalis of men. Melothelioma that is benign is rare and is found in less than 10 percent of mesothelioma patients.The symptoms of benign mesothelioma may differ depending on the location of the tumor. For mesothelioma that is pleural, symptoms include shortness of breath chest pain, as well as difficulty swallowing. Most often, the tumor causes an accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, which can limit the lung's capacity to expand. This can result in an effusion in the pleura, which is typically diagnosed by doctors using imaging tests, such as an X-ray or a CT scan. The fluid can cause pain and pressure on the lungs and other organs in the thoracic area.Peritoneal Mesothelioma may cause abdominal swelling, pain nausea, vomiting loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, and blood clotting problems. Pericardial mesothelioma that is benign can cause chest pain and heart palpitations. Those affected by mesothelioma in perforations that are recurrent in the tunica vaginalis could experience swollen or painful testicles and a mass or lump on one or both of their testicles.When it comes to diagnosing 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 receptive to treatment. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma on the other hand is more aggressive and has a lower likelihood of survival than epithelioid mesothelioma.A medical professional can use urine and blood samples, as well as imaging tests like an X-ray or chest CT scan. They can also make use of an PET scan or mediastinoscopy. These tests will aid the doctor in determining whether mesothelioma has regressed and to other areas of the body. The doctor will then use this information to determine a staging number, which indicates how far the mesothelioma may have advanced.MetastasesThe mesothelium is made of cells that cover the organs and tissues of the body. These cells can become cancerous and cause mesothelioma malignant. The cancer may be spread to other parts of the body. This is known as metastasis. The most common mesothelioma type, however is the pleural form. The other two kinds are pericardial and peritoneal mesothelioma.The first symptom of mesothelioma could be a cough that persists, especially after an individual has suffered from an infection in the chest such as pneumonia or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Another common symptom is pain especially in the chest. end stage mesothelioma what to expect may also notice an area of lumpy tissue on their chest or belly.Mesothelioma is only diagnosed by a doctor and they will conduct a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history. A chest X-ray, CT scan or tissue sample may be requested. The biopsy sample is examined under a microscope to check for mesothelioma-related malignant cells.There are three ways to treat mesothelioma: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. They can be used in isolation or in combination, depending on the location of the cancer and whether it has spread.The symptoms of pleural cancer tend to get worse with time, which is why doctors might begin treatment early to try to improve a person's quality of life. They can remove the accumulation of fluid in the lungs to lessen discomfort. They can also perform procedures to prevent the fluid from accumulating further, such as using chemicals or drugs that cause the lining of the lung to swell and stick to the chest wall. If this doesn't work, doctors might put a tube into the chest to remove the fluid at home, typically every 1-2 days.Doctors haven't found an effective treatment for mesothelioma however, they have discovered ways to treat symptoms and increase the lifespan of a patient. It is very important that a person sees an expert if they believe they may have mesothelioma. It is also important inform them about any asbestos exposure they've experienced.