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"Ask Me Anything": Ten Responses To Your Questions About Mesothelioma
What is Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be overwhelming. It's normal to feel stunned, angry and confused.

The pleura, which covers the lungs and chest wall, is affected by mesothelioma pleural. This cancer causes a buildup of fluid in the lungs, making breathing difficult.

Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. People who worked with asbestos or lived with someone who did are at risk.

What is Mesothelioma?

The cancerous mesothelioma develops on the lining tissue, also known as mesothelium. This lining covers and protects most of the organs of your body including your heart, chest and abdomen. It has 2 layers that create a sac around the inner layer of your organs, and it is separated by fluids to allow organs to move freely. Mesothelioma cancer cells multiply and destroy the surrounding tissue. They may also spread to other parts of your body (metastasize).

The most at-risk group for developing mesothelioma is those who have been working with asbestos. Asbestos workers include plumbers, electricians welders asbestos miners and auto industry workers. Workers who live or work near asbestos plants, such as factories and power plants are also at a higher risk. People diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos for between 20 and 60 years prior their illness manifests.

The most common mesothelioma type is mesothelioma pleural, which is found in the lining around the lung. This type of mesothelioma could cause chest pain, breathing problems and weight loss. It is most often affecting the lungs, however it could be affecting other organs such as the stomach and the heart. Those with peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare type of the disease that affects the abdominal lining cavity, may suffer from discomfort in the belly area and abdomen, and difficulties eating.

Other types of mesothelioma include mesothelioma of the pericardial and tunica vaginal, both of which occur in the tissue that is lining the tissues of the chest, abdomen or testicles, respectively. These mesothelioma types often are not diagnosed, and have lower survival rates than other forms of the disease.

The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on the type and location of the cancer and the stage at which it was diagnosed and the general health of the patient. Some patients are treated successfully by undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Others with advanced mesothelioma may receive experimental treatments such as gene therapy or immun other apy. In either situation, treatment options could increase the life expectancy of a patient.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is most often found in the chest lining or abdominal cavity. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a heat and fire-resistant mineral that was used in the construction industry, insulation and shipbuilding power generation, home renovations before it was banned in the 1970s. Exposure to asbestos is most often caused by working in the asbestos-related field. However, those who have washed their clothing that contained asbestos fibers or disturbed asbestos when renovating their homes are also at risk of developing mesothelioma.

The majority of patients suffering from mesothelioma suffer general symptoms, such as fatigue and weight loss, coughing that changes in intensity or pattern, and chest pain. These symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions, so patients should always consult their doctor regarding their symptoms. It is also important to inform their doctor if they've been exposed to asbestos.

In the case of pleural asbestosis symptoms, they are usually caused by the tumor causing fluid to accumulate in the area around the lungs. This fluid build-up, also known as a "pleural effusion" is a source of pressure on the lungs, making breathing difficult. The amount of fluid within the pleural cavity is crucial in the reduction of breathlessness.

Other signs of mesothelioma are an increase in temperature, night sweats and abdominal pain. The body's temperature rises when it fights against the disease. This can cause a fever. The night sweats are a reaction to the fever and an attempt by the body to reduce its temperature. These symptoms indicate that cancer is getting worse and causing stress to the body.

Less frequent mesothelioma signs include the abdomen swelling and fatigue as well as difficulty walking. Mesothelioma may also affect the tissues surrounding the heart that can cause chest pain as well as breathing difficulties. It is also possible to develop mesothelioma inside the membrane surrounding the testicles which can cause swelling or an abnormal lump on the testicles.

Mesothelioma is difficult to detect early because it is extremely rare. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other diseases and may be mistaken for a pneumonia or a flu. Mesothelioma may take as long as years before symptoms are identified.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma can be a difficult cancer. Before diagnosing mesothelioma, doctors need to determine if there are any other conditions with similar symptoms. Once they have done this, they are able to determine the best treatment option for you.

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. Your doctor might request blood tests to determine the efficiency of your organs. One such test is the complete blood count (CBC) which examines the amount of white and red blood cells, how your liver and kidneys are working, and other important information. Mesothelioma-related cells are frequently seen in these blood tests, but they can be difficult to detect because they appear similar to normal cells.

If your doctor suspects that you have mesothelioma, they will likely order imaging tests to determine the location and extent of any growth or fluid in the abdomen or lungs. A chest x-ray is the most common test, but if this does not reveal any abnormalities, doctors can decide to order more specific tests such as a CT scan or an MRI.


These tests produce detailed pictures of the body by combining radio waves with powerful magnets. They can detect thickening or fluid of the peritoneum and pleura which could indicate mesothelioma. A CT scan can also reveal other health issues, such as a lung infection or pneumonia.

A biopsy can help doctors get a better idea about the kind of cancer you suffer from. This is the only method to identify mesothelioma. The samples are examined with a magnifying glass in order to determine the type of mesothelioma as well as the extent of the cancer's spread.

Certain doctors may also inject dye into a vein or conduct other tests to determine the area in which the cancer is. This is referred to as staging mesothelioma and aids doctors in determining how far the tumor has expanded.

Treatment

Mesothelioma occurs in the cells that line the lungs and other organs. These cells can grow rapidly, forming tumors. The cancer spreads because the cells don't respond to signals that stop the growth of the cells too fast. It can also infiltrate blood vessels that provide oxygen to the lungs. This can make breathing difficult and cause coughing.

Doctors diagnose mesothelioma based on the patient's symptoms and his previous exposure to asbestos. They may also request imaging tests as well as other tests to help detect tumors. mesothelioma lawyer near me -rays, for instance, are a way to examine lung changes, including the thickening of the pleura and the pleural effusion (fluid build-up). They may also order CT scanning or an MRI or PET scan in order to determine the location of the tumors as well as determine the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. They may also take samples of the fluid surrounding the lungs, referred to as a thoracentesis, to test for mesothelioma-related cells and to ease pressure on the lungs brought on by fluid accumulation.

When a mesothelioma diagnosis has been established, doctors can design treatments to control the disease. It is crucial to discuss treatment goals with your mesothelioma physician. Some people choose aggressive treatment to increase their chances of survival and prolong their lives, whereas others prefer a less aggressive approach to reduce adverse effects, like nausea and pain.

Treatments for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The type of treatment an individual receives is determined by the stage of their mesothelioma, and whether or not it's composed of epithelioid or sarcomatoid cells. The epithelioid cells are easier to remove surgically and has a better chance of success than sarcomatoid. Certain patients suffer from a combination of both types, and suffer from a worse outcome than those who have only epithelioid cancer.

After completing treatment, it is important to check in with your mesothelioma specialist regularly. This will keep the cancer from recurring. If it occurs again, your mesothelioma team will develop a new treatment plan.

Some patients with mesothelioma are enrolled in clinical trials to test new treatments. Clinical trials enable patients to be able to access cutting-edge treatments that haven't yet been approved for general use.

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