MesotheliomaPatients with mesothelioma could be eligible for clinical trials to evaluate new treatments. They could also receive chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.A doctor may order a biopsy. This involves taking the tissue sample to be examined under microscope.Mesothelioma is classified into 3 types according to the type of tissue: epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Epithelial mesothelioma is by far the most frequent type and has a higher survival rate than the other 2 types.What is mesothelioma?The mesothelium is a thick membrane of protection that covers organs in the body. The most common mesothelioma site is the pleura in the lungs, but it can also develop in the diaphragm and peritoneum as well as in heart sacs. It is rare for mesothelioma to occur in other parts of the body.It is sometimes difficult to identify mesothelioma as the tumors can look similar to other cancerous cells. A doctor can request fluid samples, a CT scan or an MRI to get more information about the cancer. These tests will assist doctors determine the stage of mesothelioma which affects survival rates.Patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma live longer than those diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. However it is more aggressive and spreads faster than peritoneal mesothelioma making it more difficult to treat.The Pleura is the thin layer of tissue that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and also other organs in the thoracic cavity and abdominal cavity. A pleural mesothelioma cancer can affect the lining of the lung, causing symptoms such as dry cough. It may also affect other organs of the thoracic area like the heart, causing pain when breathing or cardiac problems.The symptoms of mesothelioma may range from mild to severe and may change depending on the stage of cancer. Patients can suffer from swelling, pain as well as breathing problems, loss of appetite and fevers. Other symptoms include weakness and fatigue.Mesothelioma treatment options vary based on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. The most commonly used treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. mesothelioma lung cancer survival rate is a combination of all three.Most of the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can be located in the lining of the lung. More than 60% of mesothelioma patients experience chest pain. It can also trigger an accumulation of fluid around the lungs, which can lead to difficulty breathing. It can also cause swelling and discomfort in the abdomen. Radiation therapy can reduce discomfort and kill cancerous cells that are left after treatment.SymptomsWhen asbestos fibers are breathed in, they can irritate the lung's lining (pleura) and then spread to other body parts. The abdomen's lining (peritoneum) as well as the heart (apex), and the testicles (the tuneica vaginalis). The mesothelioma cells can vary depending on whether or epithelial cells are present and also the location the location where the cancer first develops. These factors can determine how quickly it will spread to other tissues and what symptoms patients suffer from.Symptoms appear between 10-50 years after exposure to asbestos. Patients suffering from pleural msothelioma typically experience chest pain, fatigue and difficulty breathing. As the tumor grows it may cause swelling and a feeling of bloating in the abdomen. Patients suffering from peritoneal msothelioma could suffer from abdominal pain, fatigue and an increase in appetite.The first step in identifying mesothelioma is a physical exam. A doctor will ask about your work and health history, and look for signs of mesothelioma, like a cough that does not disappear or chest pain. A doctor can request imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and MRIs to check for growths or other changes in the abdomen or chest.PET scans use an ingredient that binds cancer cells. The scanner then captures images of the body, and then shows areas that absorb more the compound than normal tissue. This helps doctors find mesothelioma tumor cells and conduct further tests on those areas.Blood tests can help identify mesothelioma. They can show elevated levels of certain chemicals that are released when mesothelioma cells break apart. Doctors can also determine the amount of fluid growing in the lungs, and the amount of calcium present in the diaphragm's linings and lungs.Other test can include a chest CT scan or biopsy, which entails taking a small piece of tissue to look for mesothelioma cells under the microscope. In addition, some people might try alternative and complementary therapies, like massage therapy, acupuncture or mind-body therapies to help manage their mesothelioma-related symptoms. A multidisciplinary team should supervise any treatment.DiagnosisA lot of people suffering from mesothelioma have not diagnosed right away. This is because the symptoms may resemble common diseases, including pneumonia or the flu. Additionally, asbestos-related diseases take a few months to show symptoms. When mesothelioma is diagnosed, it has usually advanced to the final stages and is more difficult to treat.A doctor will start with a physical exam and ask about the symptoms and exposure to asbestos. They will also go through medical records to help determine the mesothelioma's type and stage. The type of mesothelioma will determine the kind of treatment to be used.Doctors use imaging scans to identify tumors and other abnormalities. A X-ray can reveal mesothelioma-related signs, such as the presence of pleural fluid (fluid in the lung). A CT scan or MRI will provide more precise images of your chest and abdomen. In some cases doctors may use a PET scan to find cancerous cells that aren't visible on an image or that are concealed by other tissues.The most reliable test to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma is a biopsy. A doctor will use an ultra-thin needle to extract tiny pieces of tissue. This is usually not a requirement for surgery or an inpatient stay. A doctor will numb the site with a medicine prior to the biopsy. In rare instances doctors may need to do open surgery if they cannot access the site using a needle or if the mesothelioma is too large for the biopsy.Blood tests can confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. They can assess the levels of certain proteins in your body that are high in mesothelioma sufferers.A mesothelioma specialist will interpret these and other test results. The specialist will then discuss the best treatment for your treatment.Mesothelioma specialists comprise a pulmonologist, a physician who specializes in the lung as well as a radiologist who reads imaging scans and other diagnostic scans; an oncologist who provides chemotherapy and surgical procedures. A surgeon could operate on your abdomen or lungs to treat mesothelioma. They will also discuss palliative treatment which can help improve your quality of life and relieve symptoms like pain, nausea and fatigue.TreatmentIt is important to collaborate closely with your medical team if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma. This can include doctors, nurses and other specialists. The goal of treatment for mesothelioma is to stop the cancer from spreading and recurring for in the long run. It could also include treatments to relieve symptoms like breathing problems and pain.Mesothelioma physicians will design the treatment plan specific to every patient. The treatment plan will depend on the type of mesothelioma as well as the location where it has been spread. The doctor will employ a combination of treatments to get the best results.A biopsy is the very first step in mesothelioma treatment. This is a procedure that utilizes needles or surgery to remove a small amount of mesothelioma tissues to study under a microscope for cancer cells. Doctors may order additional tests, such as an CT scan or MRI and blood tests in order to check for substances that might indicate the presence mesothelioma. These include soluble mesothelin related proteins and Fibulin-3.It is not uncommon to be shocked or angry regarding a mesothelioma diagnosis particularly if it's at an advanced stage. These feelings are normal, and it can be helpful to find assistance from friends, family members or a mesothelioma support group. It is important to find out the most you can about mesothelioma and seek out a specialist who is experienced in treating mesothelioma.A variety of mesothelioma types are resectable. This means that the cancer can be removed surgically. Doctors often combine surgery and other treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. They may give chemotherapy before or after the procedure, and they might also include pleural drains indwelling that permit fluid to be drained from the lungs couple of times per week.In some cases the cancer may be recurrence-related and the doctor may recommend aggressive surgery like an EPP or P/D in order to prevent further spread of the tumors. Patients may also receive maintenance therapy to maintain the mesothelioma cancer in remission for months or even years. Some of these treatments include immunotherapy and a drug that targets sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells which are the most difficult to treat.