Mesothelioma Treatment - What to ExpectIn patients with mesothelioma in stage 4 treatment usually aims to ease symptoms such as breathlessness and pain. Doctors may use a procedure called pleural drainage.A pleural drain involves injecting a sterile solution to reduce inflammation and close the area in which fluid builds up. They can also administer chemotherapy or radiation therapy.DiagnosisThe diagnosis of mesothelioma involves several steps that include a physical exam and laboratory tests. Imaging scans can be utilized by doctors to determine the extent of the cancer's spread in the abdomen and chest.The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to the symptoms of other illnesses that are common such as pneumonia and bronchitis. This may delay the diagnosis of mesothelioma and may cause treatment plans to be slowed.A doctor will conduct a physical exam to look for any signs of abnormality in the skin that could be indicative of mesothelioma. The patient then has to undergo an array of imaging tests, like an CT scanner as well as an MRI to obtain a a clearer picture of the affected area.These imaging tests can aid doctors in determining if there is a buildup in fluid which is a typical symptom of pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. They can also reveal whether mesothelioma has spread to other parts of the body, like the chest wall, diaphragm or the heart.Mesothelioma can cause breathing problems when it affects the lung. This is due to the accumulation of fluid in the lung's apex and chest wall or the diaphragm's lining. In these situations doctors can drain fluid to improve breathing. If a mesothelioma has progressed to a stage of advanced doctors may be able to drain fluid with surgery using video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic techniques (VATS).Mesothelioma blood tests may also identify cancer cells that are likely to be mesothelioma. These tests, however, cannot confirm the type of mesothelioma. Doctors may also perform a biopsy to diagnose mesothelioma by removing a small piece of tissue from the area, and then studying it under microscope.A mesothelioma specialist will assign a number to the mesothelioma stage system, based on the severity of the cancer and the location it originated. For instance, a mesothelioma that has expanded to the lungs is referred to as stage four. Mesothelioma that has spread across the entire body is stage five.TreatmentYour treatment plan will be influenced by the type of mesothelioma, the location of the cancer and the stage at which it was first diagnosed. You may need to undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination of the two to improve your quality-of-life and increase your odds of surviving. You may also receive treatment to control symptoms, such as an increase in pulmonary fluid or pain in the chest and abdomen.A specific kind of surgery referred to as extrapleural pneumonectomy is usually the first option doctors recommend. During this procedure surgeons remove large parts of the lung, its lining, as well as the adjacent lymph nodes and the lining around the diaphragm. They may also need to remove the lining around the heart known as the pericardium. Doctors use man-made materials to reconstruct the diaphragm or pericardium. This is usually done in conjunction with other treatment options, such as chemotherapy and radiation.For mesothelioma of the pleural chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells and shrink the size of tumors. Doctors can administer chemotherapy directly to the pleural cavity via an incision on the abdomen or chest using a tube equipped with a camera. Additionally, they can utilize systemic therapy where the drug is administered into the bloodstream.Some types of immunotherapy boost the body's natural immune cells. Doctors can administer several different kinds of immunotherapy, which are all designed to help fight mesothelioma as well as increase the overall survival rate.Mesothelioma is a rare cancer. This is why the majority of medical professionals aren't experienced in treating mesothelioma. Most likely, your physician will refer you to specialists who have vast experience treating the disease. These experts include pulmonologists, who specialize in lung disease, and gastroenterologists, who specialize in abdominal issues.Since mesothelioma is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage treatment is focused on controlling symptoms and prolonging survival. The most common mesothelioma treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments are usually mixed and may be augmented by more advanced methods, like immunotherapy or tumor-treating fields.Signs and symptomsThe majority of patients are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma once the patient has symptoms such as chest pain, coughing and shortness of breath. These symptoms vary based on the type of mesothelioma and where it is located in the body. Mesothelioma can occur in any part of the abdomen or chest as well as the lining around the heart.If an imaging test reveals a possible mass or tumor in the chest, a physician will require a biopsies. The doctor can conduct the biopsy through surgery or inserting needles into the affected area, and then removing tissue or fluid for examination under the microscope. Doctors can also order lab tests to check for mesothelioma. These tests could include blood tests as well as x-rays or CT scans.Treatment options vary based on the type of cell that is being treated, the rate at which it expands, and the location in the body where the cancer began. For instance mesothelioma that is pleural is treated by surgical removal of the lung lining affected which is a procedure known as pleurectomy and decortication (P/D). Mesothelioma can also treat with a drug or chemical that causes the tumor to scar and adhere to the lung. what is malignant mesothelioma cancer is known as pleurodesis and can reduce symptoms, but it can't cure mesothelioma.Other mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgeries such as a pleurectomy or a pericardiectomy to eliminate the chest wall's lining around the heart. Doctors may recommend a combination of these treatments to prolong life expectancy and improve quality of life for patients.Patients should consult mesothelioma specialists to evaluate and treat. Those exposed to asbestos should speak with their medical doctors about mesothelioma, and whether they have risk factors for the disease.People with mesothelioma can receive benefits from the VA to pay for medical bills and other expenses. While serving in the U.S. Military, many veterans were exposed to asbestos on aircrafts, ships, and barracks. Asbestos used to be used in a variety of applications such as insulation as well as fireproofing and sound-dampening. People exposed to asbestos in the workplace are more likely develop mesothelioma than people who weren't. The disease typically takes 20 to forty years to manifest symptoms after exposure.PrognosisIt is often difficult to identify mesothelioma because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Mesothelioma may develop between 10 and 50 years after exposure to asbestos. This is why you should consult a doctor immediately if you suspect that you have the disease.If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they'll order imaging tests, such as chest X-rays or CT scans to look for a tumor or mass. They may also order biopsy, which involves the removal of tiny amounts of tissue for examination under the microscope.A biopsy can be used to determine whether the cancerous cells are malignant or benign and what type of mesothelioma they are most likely to develop. There are currently three types of mesothelioma: epithelioid, sarcomatoid and biphasic. Each type has its own prognosis. The most common mesothelioma type is epithelioid. It tends to spread and grow more slowly than other types of mesothelioma. Asbestos sufferers diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma typically have a better prognosis than those who are diagnosed with sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma. These types of mesothelioma likely to spread and be harder to treat.The stage at which cancer is detected and the type of mesothelioma, can affect the prognosis. The 5-year survival rate for mesothelioma that is malignant can be as high as 40% when cancer is discovered at an early stage. It drops to 30% if cancer is discovered at a later time. Other factors are age and patient's general health.Treatment for mesothelioma can enhance the prognosis of a patient. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy are a few of the most common treatments. Mesothelioma specialists can put together mesothelioma treatments that includes all of these options to increase the chance of a positive outcome.Even even if the cancer is at an advanced stage Mesothelioma specialists can often find ways to reduce symptoms and improve the patient's overall comfort. For instance regular draining of fluid to ease breathing and strong painkillers may offer some relief. Patients should discuss all of their symptoms with their physician and explore the options for treatment.