Choosing the Right Doctor when Diagnosed with Mesothelioma - Health - Cancer

If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, then the most important task is to select an appropriate mesothelioma doctor. The doctor that you choose should meet your requirements and assist you in all possible ways. Tips for Choosing the Right Doctor for Mesothelioma You should keep in mind certain tips while opting for a doctor after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Some of these tips are:Look for a doctor who has specialized experience in treating mesothelioma as it is a rare disease and not all doctors have the necessary experience in that field. A mesothelioma doctor should be aware of the asbestos exposure, its diagnosis and the effectiveness of different types of mesothelioma therapy. You should give all necessary details about your case to the doctor and he should be able to give you different treatment options. you can get a mesothelioma medical doctor by following steps:Asking your family doctor or general physician to suggest a mesothelioma specialistFind details f rom organization like Mesothelioma Applied Investigation Foundation or the American Cancer SocietyTake help from close friends, family members or colleagues who are facing similar health condition and has taken the help of mesothelioma doctorsYou should however, keep in mind that each mesothelioma case is different and the treatment needs to be specific to your condition.While deciding on a mesothelioma doctor you should ask proper questions about his background and qualifications. You can analyze the knowledge and effectiveness of the doctor.Detection of Pleural FluidThe presence of fluid is usually not detected by a routine checkup because the amount of fluids is usually very small. However, when certain disorders happen, the pleural fluid increases and may buildup causing pulmonary symptoms and signs. Once the buildup of fluid occurs, a diagnosis is required.Pleural Effusion Buildup Needs to be establishedIf pleural effusion is suspected, then confirmation needs to be est ablished with a chest x-ray. Ultrasound is also helpful in locating small amounts or collections of isolated pockets of fluid. Chest CT is also used and is very helpful in distinguishing between parenchymal and pleural disease. Chest CT will help to show pleural thickening, pleural based mass, loculecollections of fluid, or pleural calcification.It is important that a mesothelioma doctor should be able to listen to your case and communicate with you about your case. It really is imperative that along with using various mesothelioma treatment options, he is able to comfort you and help you manage your pains.

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Mesothelioma Treatment In India At Delhi At low Cost - Health

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs (mesothelium).

Doctors divide mesothelioma into different types based on what part of the mesothelium is affected, including : -

malignant mesothelioma, which affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs and is the most common form of mesothelioma.

Peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in the tissue in your abdomen.

Pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the tissue surrounding the heart.

Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis, which occurs in the lining around the testicles.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on where the cancer occurs. Pleural mesothelioma signs and symptoms may include : -

Shortness of breath Painful breathing (pleurisy) Painful coughing Chest pain under the rib cage Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on your chest Unexplained weight loss Dry (nonproductive) cough

Peritoneal mesothelioma signs and symptoms may include : -

Abdominal pain Abdominal swelling A change in your bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation Lumps of tissue in the abdomen Unexplained weight loss

Other forms of mesothelioma

Signs and symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis are unclear. These forms are so rare that not much information is available. Pericardial mesothelioma signs and symptoms may include difficulty breathing or chest pains. Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis may be first detected as a mass on a testicle.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that may indicate mesothelioma. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma aren't specific to this disease and, due to the rarity of mesothelioma, are more likely to be related to other conditions. If any persistent signs and symptoms seem unusual or bothersome to you, ask your doctor to evaluate them.

Causes of Mesothelioma

In general, cancer begins when a series of genetic mutations occur within a cell, causing the cell to grow and multiply out of control, when healthy cells would normally die. The accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor). Cancer cells invade nearby tissues and can break off from an initial tumor to spread elsewhere in the body (metastasize).

It isn't clear what causes the initial genetic mutations that lead to mesothelioma, though researchers have identified factors that may increase the risk. It's likely that cancers form because of an interaction between many factors, such as inherited conditions, your environment, your health conditions and your lifestyle choices.

Benign pleural mesothelioma

A form of noncancerous (benign) tumor that can occur in the chest is sometimes called benign mesothelioma. However, this name is misleading. Benign mesothelioma doesn't begin in the same cells where the cancerous forms of mesothelioma begin. And, in a minority of cases, benign mesothelioma can be very aggressive, despite the term "benign." For this reason, some doctors now refer this tumor as solitary fibrous tumor.

Solitary fibrous tumor usually doesn't cause signs and symptoms. Most cases are inadvertently discovered during tests and procedures for other conditions. It isn't clear what causes solitary fibrous tumors, but they aren't linked to asbestos exposure. Treatment for solitary fibrous tumor typically includes surgery.

Risk factors of Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure: The primary risk factor for mesothelioma

Asbestos is a mineral that's found naturally in the environment. Asbestos fibers are strong and resistant to heat, making them useful in a wide variety of applications, such as in insulation, cement, brakes, shingles, flooring and many other products. People who work around asbestos fibers are thought to have the greatest risk of mesothelioma.

When asbestos is broken up, such as during the mining process or when removing asbestos insulation, dust may be created. If the dust is inhaled or swallowed, the asbestos fibers may settle in the lungs or in the stomach, where they can cause irritation that may lead to mesothelioma, though how exactly this happens isn't understood.

Mesothelioma risk is believed to be increased in people who are exposed to high levels of asbestos, in people who are exposed to asbestos over a long period of time and in people exposed to asbestos at a young age. It can take 30 to 40 years or more for mesothelioma to develop as a result of asbestos exposure.

Some people with years of asbestos exposure never develop mesothelioma. And yet, others with very brief exposure develop the disease. This indicates that other factors may be involved in determining whether someone gets mesothelioma or doesn't. For instance, you could inherit a predisposition to cancer or some other condition could increase your risk.

Possible risk factors Factors that may increase the risk of mesothelioma include : -

Personal history of asbestos exposure : - If you've been directly exposed to asbestos fibers at work or at home, your risk of mesothelioma is greatly increased.

Living with someone who works with asbestos : -People who are exposed to asbestos may carry the fibers home on their skin and clothing. These stray fibers can put others in the home at risk of mesothelioma. People who work with asbestos should shower and change clothes before leaving work.

Smoking : - Risk of mesothelioma is increased greatly in smokers who are exposed to asbestos.

SV40 : - Some research indicates a link between mesothelioma and simian virus 40 (SV40), a virus originally found in monkeys. Millions of people may have been exposed to SV40 when receiving polio vaccinations between 1955 and 1963, because the vaccine was developed using monkey cells. Once it was discovered that SV40 was linked to certain cancers, the virus was removed from the polio vaccine. Whether SV40 increases the risk of mesothelioma is a point of debate, and more research is needed.

Radiation : - Some research links mesothelioma to the radioactive substance thorium dioxide, which was used along with X-rays to diagnose various health conditions from the 1920s to the 1950s. Thorium dioxide was later found to cause cancer and is no longer used.

Family history : - A family history of mesothelioma may increase your risk of mesothelioma, but more research is needed to understand this theory.

Tests and diagnosis of Mesothelioma

If you have signs and symptoms that might indicate mesothelioma, your doctor will conduct a physical exam to check for any lumps or other unusual signs. Your doctor may order imaging scans, such as a chest X-ray or a computerized tomography (CT) scan of your chest or abdomen, to look for abnormalities.

It's not uncommon for mesothelioma to be misdiagnosed initially because mesothelioma is rare, and its signs and symptoms aren't specific. Your doctor will likely rule out other more common conditions before considering mesothelioma.

Biopsy

Biopsy, a procedure to remove a small portion of tissue for laboratory examination, is the only way to determine whether you have mesothelioma. Depending on what area of your body is affected, your doctor selects the right biopsy procedure for you Options include : -

Fine-needle aspiration : - The doctor removes fluid or a piece of tissue with a small needle inserted into your chest or abdomen.

Thoracoscopy : -Thoracoscopy allows the surgeon to see inside your chest. In this procedure, the surgeon makes one or more small incisions between your ribs. A tube with a tiny video camera is then inserted into your chest cavity - a procedure sometimes called video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Special surgical tools allow your surgeon to cut away tissue for testing.

Laparoscopy : - Laparoscopy allows the surgeon to see inside your abdomen. Using one or more small incisions into your abdomen, the surgeon inserts a tiny camera and special surgical tools to obtain a small piece of tissue for examination.

Thoracotomy : - Thoracotomy is surgery to open your chest between the ribs to allow a surgeon to check for signs of disease. He or she removes a sample of tissue for testing.

Laparotomy : - Laparotomy is surgery to open your abdomen to allow a surgeon to check for signs of disease. He or she removes a sample of tissue for testing.

The tissue sample is analyzed under a microscope to see whether the abnormal tissue is mesothelioma and what types of cells are involved. The type of mesothelioma you have determines your treatment plan.

Staging

Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, your doctor orders other tests to determine the extent, or stage, of the cancer. Imaging tests that may help determine the stage of your cancer include : -

Chest X-ray CT scans of the chest and abdomen Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Positron emission tomography (PET)

Once the extent of pleural mesothelioma is determined, a stage is assigned. Formal stages aren't available for other types of mesothelioma because these types are rare and aren't well studied. The stages of pleural mesothelioma are : -

I : - Stage I pleural mesothelioma is considered localized cancer, meaning it's limited to one portion of the lining of the chest.

II : - Stage II mesothelioma may have spread beyond the lining of the chest to the diaphragm or to a lung.

III : -Stage III mesothelioma may have spread to other structures within the chest and may involve nearby lymph nodes.

IV : - Stage IV mesothelioma is an advanced cancer that has spread to distant areas (metastasized). Mesothelioma most commonly spreads (metastasizes) to the brain, lymph nodes in the chest and areas of the lung that are away from the tumor.

Treatments of Mesothelioma

What treatment you undergo for mesothelioma depends on your health and certain aspects of your cancer, such as its stage and location. Unfortunately, mesothelioma often is an aggressive disease and for most people a cure isn't possible. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage - when it isn't possible to remove the cancer through an operation. Instead, your doctor may work to control your cancer to make you more comfortable.

Discuss treatment goals with your doctor. Some people want to do everything they can to treat their cancer, even if that means enduring side effects for a small chance of an improvement. Others prefer treatments that make them comfortable so that they can live their remaining months as symptom-free as possible.

Surgery

Surgeons work to remove mesothelioma in instances where it is diagnosed at an early stage. Sometimes it isn't possible to remove all of the cancer. In those cases, surgery may help to reduce the signs and symptoms caused by mesothelioma spreading in your body. Surgical options may include : -

Surgery to decrease fluid buildup : - Pleural mesothelioma may cause fluid to build up in your chest, causing difficulty breathing. Surgeons insert a tube or catheter into your chest to drain the fluid. Surgeons may also inject medicine into your chest to prevent fluid from returning (pleurodesis).

Surgery to remove the tissue around the lung or abdomen : - Surgeons may remove the tissue lining the ribs and the lungs (pleurectomy) or the tissue lining the abdominal cavity (peritonectomy) in order to relieve signs and symptoms of mesothelioma.

Surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible (debulking) : - If all of the cancer can't be removed, surgeons may attempt to remove as much as possible.

Surgery to remove a lung and the surrounding tissue : - Removing the affected lung and the tissue that surrounds it may relieve signs and symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. This procedure also allows doctors to use higher doses of radiation against any remaining mesothelioma, since they won't need to worry about protecting your lung from damaging radiation.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy travels throughout the body and may shrink or slow the growth of a pleural mesothelioma that can't be removed using surgery. Chemotherapy may also be used before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) to make an operation easier or after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) to reduce the chance that cancer will return.

Chemotherapy drugs may also be heated and administered directly into the abdominal cavity (intraperitoneal chemotherapy), in the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, or into the chest cavity (intrapleural chemotherapy), in the case of pleural mesothelioma. Using this strategy, chemotherapy drugs can reach the mesothelioma directly without injuring healthy cells in other parts of the body. This allows doctors to administer higher doses of chemotherapy drugs.

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy may also be used to reduce the signs and symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma that can't be removed through surgery.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy focuses high-energy beams to a specific spot or spots on your body. Radiation may reduce signs and symptoms in people with pleural mesothelioma. Doctors aim radiation at the entire chest to obtain the best result. However, many sensitive organs are in the chest, such as the heart, lungs, esophagus and spinal cord, so doctors must use low doses of radiation to spare these organs. Radiation therapy is sometimes used after biopsy or surgery to prevent mesothelioma from spreading to the surgical incision.

Radiation therapy is used occasionally in people with peritoneal mesothelioma to reduce signs and symptoms caused by the cancer.

Combination therapy

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be combined. This aggressive therapy can be grueling and may not be appropriate for everyone. Younger, healthier people and those with earlier stage mesothelioma may be more able to endure this treatment. Combination therapy has shown the most promise in treating mesothelioma. However, most people will eventually experience a recurrence of this cancer despite aggressive treatment. Combination therapy has been used in both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.

Treatment for other types of mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma and mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis are very rare and can be very aggressive. Early-stage cancer may be removed through surgery. Doctors have yet to determine the best way to treat later stage cancers, though. Your doctor may recommend other treatments to improve your quality of life.Please Log On To: /cancer-treatment/mesothelioma-treatment-india.htmlEmail Us:

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Mesothelioma Doctors- Who Are They? - Health - Cancer

Most mesothelioma doctors are specialist doctors in different fields. It can be an overwhelming experience when you have to see different specialist and having a basic understanding of the different types of doctors that you are likely to see will help you handle the anxiety that you are bound to experience. These are the different kinds of specialists that you are likely to come across:

Oncologists

Oncologists are doctors who specialize in treating not only mesothelioma but cancers of all types. They specialize in using chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer. There are two types of oncologists, those that specialize mainly in the use of radiotherapy known as radiation oncologists and those that specialize in using chemotherapy known as chemotherapy oncologists.

Pulmonologist

A pulmonary specialist, or pulmonologist, or chest physician is a specialist in treating lung diseases. They treat diseases like asthma, COPD and other diseases of the lungs. Mesothelioma doctors who are pulmonologists can also treat other asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis which may not involve an actual tumor or cancer.

Thoracic Surgeons

These doctors are highly specialized in doing invasive surgery on the lungs, heart and chest. These surgeons are needed when surgery is being considered as the form of treatment for mesothelioma. They can perform various curative and palliative surgeries on the mesothelioma patient.

Pathologist

Mesothelioma doctors will need the support of a medical pathologist who will do tests on you regularly to monitor progress. The pathologist will do blood and urine tests and interpret some biopsies in order to determine the condition and extent of your illness. The pathologist works mainly in the laboratory and hardly ever gets to meet the patient, but their contribution is very crucial to determining the type of treatment and the likely prognosis of the disease.

Most of these specialist doctors work in the big hospitals in the major cities and the mesothelioma patient will need to search for more information about them to be able to locate them.

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mesothelioma doctor - Health - Cancer

A mesothelioma doctor is a specialist in the rare cancer called mesothelioma which is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. It is a difficult disease to diagnose because all the obvious symptoms can be caused by other less serious conditions, so it is vital to go to the very best specialist available in order to get the most reliable diagnosis possible.

Since the disease is rare, specialists are also not commonly found in every area. However there are easy to find lists of specialists on the internet which can be very valuable in the search. Also, these lists sometimes include doctors who are looking for patients who might be suitable for trials of new approaches to treating the disease. The unique research in the field done by particular doctors is also sometimes listed.

In addition to specialists in the disease, support is offered at major cancer centers in the USA and other countries where the disease is common such as UK, Australia and Canada. The internet offers other forms of support including a wealth of available data on the disease, as well as support discussion groups and other support facilities.

It is important to be aware that the more standard treatments such as radiation therapy which might be available locally, are found to not necessarily be the most effective treatments. For example, a combination of radical surgery plus chemo and radiation therapy has been found to be far more effective than radiation therapy alone, but the surgery might only be available from a few national specialists, and not possible at a more local facility.

Your local doctor might be able to refer you to a specialist, or you can practice "self-referral". When choosing a specialist it might be wise to find out how often that specialist has performed the procedure that is recommended for you, what the results have been, and have all the details, side-effects and other factors been explained to you to your satisfaction.

A mesothelioma doctor will keep up to date with all the new research and findings about the disease.

For more relevant information see our Blog Post Mesothelioma Symptom

For more relevant information see our Blog Mesothelioma Reports

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How to Find a Mesothelioma Doctor - Health - Cancer

People experiencing symptoms of Mesothelioma or recently diagnosed with the disease should local an experianced Mesothelioma doctor.

After being diagnosed with Mesothelioma, it is important to find a doctor who is familiar with the disease and its many forms of specialized treatment that are available. There are many doctors who specialize in this type of cancer and are therefore able to provide the highest level of care possible to their patients.

Since Mesothelioma is such a rare form of cancer, many primary physicians are unsure about the diagnosis, progression, treatment and symptoms of this disease. Therefore, it is extremely important that a patient seeks out a specialist who is knowledgeable about all the current information pertaining to Mesothelioma. There are many ways to inquire about a Mesothelioma specialist. A referral from a primary care physician or even from the American Cancer Society will be the most helpful when determining what specialist is right for the patient.

A doctor who has decided to become a Mesothelioma specialist is licensed to practice medicine and has also passed a specialty board exam. There are many different types of specialists who focus on the different aspects of this cancer. Thoracic surgical oncologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists can and will all work together to devise the best plan of action for treatment and care. Not only will specialists be involved, but other healthcare professionals will be present as well. Pathologists, respiratory therapists, social workers and psychiatrists may all lend a helping hand in tackling this form of aggressive cancer.

When choosing a Mesothelioma doctor, it is important to ask many questions and inquire about the doctor and his education. The relationship between the patient and the doctor must be built on trust and respect. Keeping lines of communication open will ensure that the best treatment plan possible is created.

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Top 5 Mesothelioma Doctors in Washington DC - Health - Cancer

For those who have discovered they have Mesothelioma cancer, locating a specialist to help them with a treatment process is a priority. Without a doubt, their general practitioner will assist them with this first crucial step.Helping Mesothelioma Patients Find the Best CareHowever, finding the top doctors in any particular field is a very detailed and complicated task. Pleural effusion happens when an increase of fluid is present between the two membranes that surround the lungs, known as the pleura. When the fluid exceeds the fluid absorption level, pleural effusions occur. The pleura provide protection for the lungs and chest cavity.The information provided here may help patients who have questions on the top 5 Mesothelioma doctors in the Washington DC Area. List of the Top 5 Doctors In the early part of 2010 Washingtonian magazine publish a list of the Washington DC areas top doctors specializing in Oncology/Hematology. Here are the top five doctors from that list;Josep h P. Catlett, MDLeon C. Hwang, MDVera Malkovska, MDJohn E. McKnight, MDRamin Trehan, MDTeam Members of a Mesothelioma Cancer Care TeamMesothelioma is a complex cancer that requires a patient to see many different doctors of varying specialties. After being diagnosed by a general doctor a patient will come across many different doctors with a vast array of specialties offering care and treatment.Each doctor is part of a team. The members of this team include:General PractitionerPulmonologistThoracic SurgeonMedical OncologistRadiation OncologistRadiologistPathologistRespiratory TherapistThese doctors are part of a Mesothelioma cancer care team, and the top doctors in all these fields would be ideal to receive the best care from each trained specialists.Finding the Top Mesothelioma Doctors in Washington DC In addition to the above the types of Mesothelioma cancer doctors with varying specialties, there are also hospitals and research facilities that offer top notch care. So com ing up with a list of the top 5 Mesothelioma doctors in any given area is something that would take lot of research, polling of experts and study which is beyond the scope of this article. Due to the various kinds of Mesothelioma cancer that affect a variety of parts of a victim's body and anatomy, patients will find that they are dealing with several key Mesothelioma cancer doctors and at some point, every member of the team listed above. Again, this will vary from patient to patient based on the type Mesothelioma cancer and stage of the cancer.

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Top 5 Mesothelioma Doctors in California, CA - Health - Cancer

The top 5 Mesothelioma doctors in California are among experts that focus on this rare form of cancer that appears in lining of the body's internal organs. This cancer is triggered by exposure to asbestos and there is no cure for it. However, Mesothelioma doctors are amongst the small amount of specialist that are treating Mesothelioma cancer patients and working diligently every day to discover a cure.The Work of the Top Mesothelioma Doctors in CaliforniaThe top Mesothelioma doctors in California serve a purpose in this rare specialty. Not only do they treat and care for the victims of Mesothelioma cancer but they are also active in research and trials for cure of this ailment. They also spread awareness of asbestos exposure and its dangers to help eliminate this unfortunate deadly cancer.Types of Mesothelioma DoctorsIt takes lots of different experts and specialists to effectively treat and manage the care of Mesothelioma cancer patients. These different types of physici ans and specialists include;Thoracic OncologistsRadiation OncologistsMedical OncologistsWhere to Find Mesothelioma Doctors?Those diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer will need a team of specialist and Mesothelioma doctors to confirm a diagnosis and to develop a plan of action for addressing the problem. This team will include the primary care physician and other members such as:PulmonologistThoracic SurgeonMedical OncologistRadiologistPathologistRespiratory TherapistList of The Top 5 Mesothelioma Doctors in California California has many cancer centers established to treat and address Mesothelioma cancer like Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in San Francisco. These treatment facilities are home to world-renowned Mesothelioma, Cancer and Oncology doctors like:Dr. Robert Brian CameronUCLA Medical Center10833 Le Conte AvenueP. O. Box 951741Los Angeles, California 90095(310) 267-4612Dr. David M. JablonsUCSF Mt. Zion Medical Center2330 Post St., Suite 420San Francisc o, CA 94115(415) 885-3882Dr. Thierry Marie JahanUniversity of California at San FranciscoHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center1600 Divisadero Street4th FloorSan Francisco, CA 94115(415) 885-3882Dr. Mark W. LischnerPulmonary Medicine Associates5 Medical Plaza Drive, Suite 190Roseville, CA 95661(916) 786-7498Dr. Curt A. RiesUniversity of California at San FranciscoHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center1600 Divisadero Street4th FloorSan Francisco, CA 94115(415) 885-3882The information provided to Mesothelioma sufferers and their loved ones from the top Mesothelioma doctors will enable them to understand the progress of the disease. Victims of Mesothelioma must have as much information as possible about the disease so they can understand what they will be going through during treatment and as they progress through the various stages of Mesothelioma cancer.

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