What is Mesothelioma?The mesothelioma cancer is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue surrounding the majority of internal organs. It typically begins in the lining that surrounds your lungs, but can also begin in the lining of the heart or abdomen.The doctor diagnoses mesothelioma following a thorough review of your medical records and undergoing a physical exam. They can also check for symptoms of the disease using CT scans or Xrays.Signs and symptomsMesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the mes the layer of tissue that surrounds and protects organs inside your body. The pleura is the most common mesothelioma site. It covers your chest cavity, lungs and other organs. Other sites include the peritoneum, a membrane that lines your abdominal cavity, as well as the pericardium, a sac that surrounds your heart.The symptoms of mesothelioma vary based on where the cancer forms and how advanced it is. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma the most frequent form of this disease can include breathing difficulties, coughing and chest pain.Pleural effusion is yet another symptom of pleural mesothelioma. Pleural effusion can make it difficult to breathe because the pleura thickens and narrows the space the lungs need to expand during breathing. Pleural effusion can be confused with other ailments, including tuberculosis, pleurisy, and chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).Due to the long mesothelioma's time of latency and its similarity with other diseases, people often are not diagnosed until it is in an advanced stage. This can significantly affect your prognosis.A diagnosis of mesothelioma typically involves a physical exam, imaging tests, and a biopsy. Your doctor will insert an needle into the area to remove the tissue to be examined under microscope.These tests will help doctors determine the stage of cancer or the extent to which it has spread. This will help determine the most effective treatment for you.Surgery is the most common treatment for mesothelioma. Doctors may also suggest radiation therapy or chemotherapy. These treatments can help shrink or kill mesothelioma tumor cells and prevent the spread of cancerous mesothelioma cells.Certain patients with mesothelioma have achieved success in clinical trials. These trials evaluate new mesothelioma treatment options with the hope of finding an effective cure. Your doctor can help you in locating trials.DiagnosisThe first step in getting treatment is to obtain an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma. Doctors employ a variety of methods to determine mesothelioma beginning with a physical exam and moving on to imaging tests and laboratory tests. They may suggest a biopsy, which collects tissue and fluid from the tumor for further study.Mesothelioma occurs when cells within the lining of your body's organs, such as the abdomen or chest, develop abnormally and expand out of control. As what type of cancer is mesothelioma , they develop masses, which are often mistaken for other diseases or cancers like pneumonia or bronchitis. The first signs are usually respiratory issues, such as breathing problems or pressure on the chest. Mesothelioma can also affect the skin, causing painful lumps called fibrosis. It can affect the heart causing chest pain or swelling.To determine if you have mesothelioma doctors will request imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans and MRIs to examine your lung and abdomen areas in more detail. The X-rays and CT scans can reveal lung issues, such as a pleural effusion or other signs of fluid buildup in the lung. An MRI utilizes magnetic fields instead of radiation. They can reveal more detailed information, including whether tumors have affected surrounding structures, such as the diaphragm or the heart.A blood test can show increased levels of certain proteins associated with mesothelioma like fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related peptides that are soluble. MRIs and CTs can be used to identify mesothelioma anywhere in the body.If your doctor finds fluid or tissue buildup in the fluid, he or she might suggest a Thoracentesis (or pericardiocentesis) to look for mesothelioma. If they discover cells and further tests are conducted to determine if you are suffering from a pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma.Your doctor will decide on the treatment plan according to the results of your lab tests. The type of mesothelioma and the extent of its spread will dictate your prognosis. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. If you are in the advanced stage of the disease, your treatment will focus on managing symptoms to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.TreatmentIf someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma doctors will attempt to manage the cancer and treat any signs as they develop. It's important that patients understand the condition and treatment options, as well as prognosis, so that they can make informed decisions regarding their treatment. It's also helpful to have a support system in place to help with everyday tasks and appointments.Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that line internal organs. The exposure to asbestos is the primary cause. The disease can be found in the abdomen or lungs (peritoneal mesothelioma and mesothelioma pleural). In rare instances, it can occur in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) and in the testicles (testicular mesothelioma).The symptoms of bronchitis include chest discomfort, fever, skin rash and coughing. A doctor can diagnose this condition by taking a tiny sample of fluid or tissue from the affected area, and examining it using a microscope. Doctors can also use imaging tests to determine how far the cancer has spread. These tests include X scans, CT scans, and FDG-positron emissions tomography. CT scans provide three-dimensional images of multiple organs, and also scan the chest lymph nodes. FDG-PET is a radioactive compound that can be utilized to detect and identify cancerous cells. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery), a minimally-invasive procedure, can be used to obtain a biopsy. Another option is a CT guided needle core biopsy performed under local anaesthesia.The surgery can improve breathing in certain cases, but it's not likely to be curative for cancers at later stages. A pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) operation removes part of the lining around the lung. The more extensive extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) removes the entire lung, part of the diaphragm as well as the sac lining that surrounds the heart (pericardium).Chemotherapy employs chemicals to kill mesothelioma tumor cells or stop them from growing. It can be administered by mouth, injecting into a vein or muscle or directly into the abdomen. It can be given before surgery to ease the process or after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer coming back.Targeted therapy is a second kind of treatment that targets cancerous cells without harming healthy cells. Radiation can be used after surgery to destroy cancerous cells. New treatments, such as Tumor Treating Fields(TTFields) have also helped control the growth of mesothelioma in clinical trials.PrognosisThe options for treating mesothelioma sufferers are numerous. A specialist in mesothelioma may suggest treatments based on the kind of cancer, the area it has spread, and other factors. A mistake in diagnosis could lead to a less effective treatment, and let the cancer expand and spread. A person with mesothelioma should seek an additional opinion by a mesothelioma doctor to avoid the possibility of a false diagnosis.Overall, the outlook for mesothelioma may be poor. This is partly because mesothelioma may grow for years without causing symptoms, making it difficult to identify the disease until it has reached a later stage. It is also because mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer and the current treatments aren't efficient in stopping it from spreading.Most often, mesothelioma begins in the tissues that cover every lung (the Pleura). It can also start in the stomach's lining (peritoneum) less often. The life expectancy of a person is contingent on which kind of mesothelioma is present and the stage at which it is diagnosed. The epithelioid mesothelioma type have better odds than those with sarcomatoid or biphasic types.It's not clear what triggers the initial mutations that cause mesothelioma but exposure to asbestos is the most frequent risk factor. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was utilized in many industries before it was banned in the 1970s. It was used primarily in manufacturing and construction because it is heat- and flame-resistant. People who worked in these areas are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes shipyard workers, construction workers power plant workers, and other professionals who dealt with asbestos-containing materials.The family members of a person exposed to asbestos are at a higher likelihood of developing mesothelioma, too. The reason for this is that asbestos fibers can stick to hair or clothing and then be carried back to the home of an exposed person. The fibers could be ingested by children, spouses, and other loved ones. They could be carried into homes by pets and other animals.