Mesothelioma DiagnosisA doctor can identify mesothelioma by a physical exam as well as imaging tests and lab work. Doctors can also perform a biopsy, which involves taking tissue and then examining it under a magnifying glass.A chest X-ray, also known as a CT scan, is used to guide the needle through the lining of the lung. The test can be aninvasive and is at risk of revealing false-negative results.DiagnosisMesothelioma is a rare type of cancer which means it takes time to establish an official diagnosis. Your doctor will start by taking a medical history and conducting an examination to look for any signs. They will also inquire about any asbestos-related work you have done previously. Exposure to asbestos is the most common one thing that makes mesothelioma more probable.Often, the first sign of mesothelioma is the accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen. These fluids are referred to as pleural effusion or ascites. Doctors test the fluid to determine if it is contaminated with any cancer cells.A biopsy is the only method of diagnosing mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed the doctor will remove a small part of the affected tissue to be tested in a lab. Under microscopes, the mesothelioma is examined to determine whether it is cancerous and what kind of mesothelioma it's. Doctors can also use other tests to determine the extent at which the cancer spreads.Your doctor will discuss with you the options for treatment if mesothelioma is been identified. Your treatment may vary depending on the area of the mesothelioma and the extent to which it has spread.The first treatment for mesothelioma that your doctor will recommend is usually chemotherapy or radiation. These can shrink tumors, reduce symptoms, and reduce the pain. They also aid patients live longer.Before starting treatment, your doctor will talk to you about a diet. Patients must adhere to an eating regimen that is healthy while receiving radiation or chemotherapy. Diet is essential to prevent weight loss and malnutrition.After your doctor has determined the best treatment for you, they'll arrange follow-up appointments. Your first appointment may be with a doctor who specializes in lung diseases (pulmonologist) or abdominal problems (gastroenterologist). These nurses and doctors are part of the multidisciplinary mesothelioma team. They include X-ray specialists called radiologists, as well as cancer specialists referred to as oncologists. The team meets every week to discuss the results of your tests and plan your treatment. This team approach to treating mesothelioma is the most effective way to ensure that you receive the best care.Signs and symptomsMesothelioma symptoms differ based on the location in the body where the tumors begin to grow. People with pleural or peritoneal cancer may feel chest discomfort and shortness of breath, while those with the peritoneal or pleural cancer may feel bloated, swollen or have a feeling of abdominal tightness. The symptoms also depend on how far the mesothelioma has spread. Patients suffering from mesothelioma that is in its late stages usually suffer more severe and painful symptoms.A physical examination is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. A doctor will pay special focus on the areas of the body showing symptoms. Patients will be asked about their asbestos exposure history.A chest X-ray is one of the most common tests used to detect mesothelioma. The X-ray can show abnormal growth of calcium deposits or thickening of the lung lining as well as fluid in the lung space (pleura) caused by mesothelioma.Other diagnostic tests include the CT scan or MRI. These tests provide precise images of the interior of the body. They aids doctors in identifying mesothelioma as well as other non-cancerous or cancerous tumors. X-rays and MRIs can also help doctors determine the stage of mesothelioma, which will help patients understand what they can expect regarding treatment options.If a patient is experiencing severe symptoms, they must visit their doctor immediately. Schedule an appointment with a specialist in mesothelioma so that the doctor can diagnose and treat your disease. Patients should bring a list of their symptoms to to ensure the doctor has all the details required to make an accurate diagnosis.Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, making it difficult for doctors at the early stages of the disease. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects less than 3000 people in the United States each year, and the majority of patients diagnosed are men who are over 50 years old.Asbestos fibers may get stuck in the smallest airways of the lungs, damaging the lining of the lungs and causing cells that grow into tumors. Mesothelioma may be spread to other organs like stomach, the heart and testicles.TreatmentWhen mesothelioma at its earliest stages is diagnosed doctors can treat the disease to manage symptoms and prolong the duration of survival. The treatment plan is determined by the type of cancer, the location, and the speed at which it is growing.It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma due to the fact that the cells appear identical to other forms of cancer. This can cause confusion. To determine the diagnosis, doctors conduct a physical exam and order imaging scans, like chest X-rays and CT scans, to look for any abnormalities. They also take a sample of tissue, or biopsy, to determine if mesothelioma cancer cells.Surgery is typically the most effective way to alleviate symptoms and increase survival in the case of pleural cancer. Operations include an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) which eliminates the affected lung and parts of the diaphragm. Or a pleurectomy and decortication which removes the pleura but not the entire lung. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is less frequent, but it can alleviate symptoms by draining fluid accumulation from the abdomen or chest cavity.If mesothelioma is found out chemotherapy can be employed to kill the cancer cells or slow their growth. Pemetrexed is among the most frequently prescribed drugs. These are usually given with other treatments, including radiation and surgery.In some instances mesothelioma may spread to other areas of the body, or metastasizes. This may reduce the chance for a cure and affects the prognosis of the patient.If the mesothelioma has advanced, the doctor will recommend palliative treatment to improve the quality of life, ease pain and other symptoms. This could include a combination of treatments or an experimental drug. Patients can also get relief from mesothelioma related symptoms through alternative treatments such as acupuncture and yoga.Patients with mesothelioma should follow up with their doctor regularly to assess the progress of their treatment. Because each mesothelioma is different, there is not a standard schedule for follow-up visits. The doctor will work with the patient to develop a schedule for follow-up appointments. If a patient is interested in participate in a clinical trial they should speak with their physician about the eligibility.PrognosisMesothelioma prognosis depends on many factors, including the stage and type of mesothelioma, a patient's overall health and age and how well they respond to treatment. A mesothelioma diagnosis cannot determine how long a person will live. Many have been diagnosed with mesothelioma for decades.Doctors can help their patients understand the mesothelioma diagnosis and what it means to them personally. The mesothelioma prognosis will tell the patient what their odds are of recovering from the cancer and if they have a chance of recurrence. This can happen years after the initial diagnosis.In general, the fitter a person is, the better their mesothelioma-related survival rates will be. People who are in good overall health and normal hemoglobin levels are more likely to survive, as do non-smokers. Mesothelioma is often caused by asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to fibres at work are more likely to develop the disease.Patients often experience side effects, such as fatigue or pain, as well as weight loss. The use of palliative treatment is advised by doctors to decrease these symptoms, and to improve the quality of life for their patients.If the cancer hasn't spread, surgery can be performed to remove the tumor. This is not always successful and doesn't cure the patient but it is effective in managing the symptoms of mesothelioma. Even even if the cancer has spread to other organs, doctors can reduce the size of the tumor with chemotherapy or other treatment options.Recurrence is common in mesothelioma, however the recurrence rate is lower than that of other types of cancer. Patients should work with a mesothelioma expert and learn as much about the disease as possible.A mesothelioma doctor will determine if a patient is at an extremely low or low risk of cancer recurrence depending on the mesothelioma stage and grade. The more stages and grades of mesothelioma a patient has and the worse their chances of survival will be. The cancer may be more difficult to treat when the cancer has recurred or progressed.