What is Mesothelioma?Inhaling asbestos fibers or swallowing them can cause cancer of the tissues that line and protect body organs. The asbestos particles cause irritation and harm to DNA, turning normal cells into cancerous ones, which form mesothelioma tumors.Three out of four mesothelioma cases originate in the tissue around the lungs (pleura). Less common forms are located in the abdominal cavity as well as the region around the heart. Doctors differentiate mesothelioma into several types based on where the tumors originate and their cell type.What is mesothelioma? what is mesothelioma cancer affects the lung lining and stomach, as well as other organs. In the majority of cases it is caused by exposure to asbestos. The most frequent type of mesothelioma is malignant, which means the cancer cells have spread from the site of the initial tumor to different parts of the body. There are three distinct types of mesothelioma which include epithelial, Sarcomatoid and biphasic. The survival rates for each type differ, but mesothelioma in general is a fatal condition.There are a number of tests that can identify mesothelioma or a condition similar to mesothelioma. If a doctor suspects that there is a problem, they can request an X-ray or computed Tomography (CT) scan on the chest or abdomen. A CT scan produces detailed images of the inside of the body, using multiple X-rays, a computer, and scanner. These tests can detect tumors as well as fluids and other changes to the tissues. They can also determine whether cancer has spread.Breathing problems, as well as a persistent cough are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma. Patients may also experience chest pains or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). The signs can be difficult to distinguish because they are similar with numerous other ailments.Mesothelioma treatment varies based on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. Early detection and aggressive treatment of mesothelioma may increase the chance that patients live longer.The four stages of mesothelioma cancer show how far the cancer has spread. This assists doctors in determining the prognosis for patients. The survival rates of the four stages are different, but patients tend to live longer if they are younger healthy, in good health and not smokers.The most effective mesothelioma treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. These treatments can be used together or in combination. Certain patients also benefit from immunotherapy, or targeted therapy, which uses drugs to target cancerous cells with fewer adverse side effects than conventional chemotherapy. Combining these treatments can improve a patient’s prognosis. Patients who undergo surgery and chemotherapy have the longest survival rates.Signs and symptomsThe mesothelium, which is a layer of cells forms a line and protects organs in your body. Malignant mesothelioma occurs when mesothelium cells develop cancerous and expand uncontrollably. This type of cancer may affect the lung linings or the stomach. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a dangerous mineral that was used in a variety of ways in the United States for many years. Asbestos exposure typically happens when a person inhales or swallows asbestos fibers. This causes irritation to organs' lining and genetic changes in the cells that make them change into mesothelioma.Asbestos exposure is the most common cause of mesothelioma that develops in the lung. However, it may also be found in the lining the abdomen or peritoneum and in the testicles. Mesothelioma can take a long time before symptoms show up. Even if they do, they could be misdiagnosed as other illnesses like pneumonia, which makes it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma.Trouble breathing and a constant dry cough are common symptoms of mesothelioma. Some people also experience chest wall pain that can feel like a pressure or tight ache. Others experience a bluish color on their skin, referred to as cyanosis. Other symptoms include fatigue, nausea and weight loss.To diagnose mesothelioma in patients, doctors conduct a physical exam and ask about your past history of exposure to asbestos. They will also do several tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and biopsy. A biopsy is the process where the doctor removes small pieces of mesothelioma's tissue for examination under microscope.Doctors continue to study mesothelioma in order to find the most effective treatment options. They are focusing on finding ways to increase the life expectancy of patients with mesothelioma and to stop the spread of the disease. Treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and other medications that are administered orally.DiagnosisA doctor will first collect the tissue sample and then look at it under a microscope. This will confirm whether the cancer is mesothelioma as well as what type of mesothelioma the patient is suffering from. The doctors can also use the biopsy to determine how advanced the mesothelioma is and what treatment will be most effective.Doctors frequently order imaging tests such as CT scans or X-rays of the chest and abdomen to check for signs of mesothelioma and other abnormalities. Other imaging tests include MRI and PET (positron emission tomography) scans, which use special magnets and dyes to create images of organs inside.Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, affects the mesothelium - an organ-protecting lining. Most often mesothelioma develops from exposure to asbestos, a substance that was previously widely used in construction and is now banned. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause irritation to mesothelium. This occurs most commonly in the chest wall, lungs and stomach, but can be found in other parts of the body, including the stomach or the heart. The irritation causes cells to transform and grow into malignant tumors.The symptoms of mesothelioma may vary depending on the part of the body affected. The most commonly reported symptoms are breathlessness and chest pain, but they can also include difficulty swallowing, persistent cough, fatigue and weight loss. Pleural effusion is caused by mesothelioma which affects the lining of the lung the pleura.If the doctor suspects mesothelioma is present, they may perform a surgical or needle biopsy. When they perform a biopsy, doctors will insert tiny needles between the ribs to collect fluid to analyze. They can use live CT scans to guide the needle and a local anesthetic to make the procedure as painless as is possible. The surgical biopsy is more invasive and requires general anesthesia to remove tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum.TreatmentGetting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the first step towards receiving treatment. There are multiple steps that doctors must take to identify mesothelioma which includes a physical exam and lab tests. The most crucial test to determine if mesothelioma has occurred is a biopsy. This is done by taking tissue or fluids from the tumor. After mesothelioma has been identified your doctor might suggest treatments to alleviate the symptoms and quality of life.The mesothelioma-related cancer affects the thin tissue layer that covers your internal organs. It is typically caused by exposure to asbestos an element that is naturally occurring and that is used in a variety of industries. The most frequent exposure to asbestos occurs at work, and it can take decades before symptoms begin to show.There are three different mesothelioma types. The most well-known form of mesothelioma is mesothelioma maligna. It develops when cancer cells infiltrate the lining (pleura) of your lung. Other mesothelioma forms are found in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or around the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma that is benign does not cause cancer and it doesn't grow.Once a mesothelioma has been diagnosed your doctor will utilize the information they have to assess the extent of the cancer and predict your prognosis. This is called staging, and the stage of your mesothelioma decides what treatment options are available.Treatments can increase your quality of life and could even extend your life span, but it's important to have the best mesothelioma treatment group. The ideal team includes doctors who are experts in the condition as well as attorneys who are experienced in mesothelioma cases and other experts.Treatments for mesothelioma may include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Chemotherapy is a therapy that uses drugs to shrink or eliminate cancerous tumors and to alleviate symptoms such as difficulty breathing. Radiation is used to treat mesothelioma or the areas around it. Surgery can improve your chances of survival by removing cancerous tissue and other affected areas. Surgery is also a method to stop the build-up of fluid which makes it difficult to breathe. Pleurodesis is a surgical procedure that involves injecting chemicals or drugs into the space between your lungs and your chest wall. This causes scar tissue that closes the space and stops fluid from accumulating.