A patient with a large, unexplained fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen and who has a small or moderate amount of thickening of the pleura should have a biopsy performed, using semi-invasive techniques (techniques that require only local anesthesia and that do not involve cutting into the chest or abdomen). For example, the biopsy might involve an initial thoracentesis (drainage of fluid in the chest) or paracentesis (drainage of fluid in the abdomen) and a pleural biopsy. These are relatively safe procedures that can be performed by a pulmonologist (lung physician), a radiologist, or a surgeon. A local anesthetic (a numbing medicine such as lidocaine) is given to temporarily reduce the feeling in the area before the needle is inserted. Continue Reading »

If you decide that you want to get a second opinion, you must first check with your insurance company to see if your plan includes converge for second opinions and the physician you plan to see. You may have to ask the insurance company for a referral to see another doctor if you have an HMO or a similar managed care organization. If you are a member of such a health care delivery system, your choices may be limited. These companies will provide you with a list of physicians who are withing their network and ask you to choose from this list. You may have to request special permission to see a specialist out of the network if the physician you you want to see is not one of those listed. Continue Reading »

Getting a second opinion is always a good idea, so that you know about every possible option available. While one physician may not be an expert in mesothelioma, another one may. Getting that second opinion puts you in contact with those with experience and knowledge of Mesothelioma and treatment. Another important thing to note is that difference cancer centers have different treatments. So, when you seek medical consultation with physicians, Mesothelioma experts will be able to inform you and your family of all of your possible treatment options. Continue Reading »

Getting the best information available regarding your condition is important in order to better understand your treatment options. Make sure that you have every opportunity to fight the disease, so that you can live as long as possible. For the most part, your physician will advise you as to whether the institution’s associates have a special interest in Asbestos related diseases and treats more than 50 cases of mesothelioma per year. Continue Reading »

After a biopsy is completed, the tissue or fluid is sent to a specialized doctor called a pathologist. Pathologists’ field of study is the origin and cause of disease. They look at the cells from biopsies under the microscope and are responsible for deciding whether cancer cells are present. The pathologist who studies your biopsy will generate a report about what he or she has found and send it to your doctor. This usually takes about five days to complete. You should make an appointment for a follow-up office visit with your doctor after this time period. He or she will the go over the pathologist’s results with you. It is important to bring someone along with you to this appointment if possible. This person can help you remember all the information that is given to you by your doctor, which can sometimes be overwhelming. He or she can also be a support to you during this stressful period. Continue Reading »

As we mentioned previously, the first test that is usually performed after the history and physical exam is an x-ray of the chest. These x-rays can show areas of fluid accumulation, scarring of the lungs, masses in the chest, and other types of abnormal findings, but they are not as sensitive as other test available today. Continue Reading »

There are no specific blood tests that can tell your doctor you have mesothelioma. Certain blood cell values may be abnormal when a patient has mesothelioma, but these are nonspecific (that is, they do not definitively tell the doctor that is is mesothelioma or another type of cancer or a benign condition). The white blood cell count (cells that fight infection) may be elevated and/or the platelet count (cells that help the clotting system) may be elevated above normal values. Continue Reading »

If you experience shortness of breath, pain in the chest or abdomen, swelling in the abdomen, or any other unusual symptom, see your doctor! The doctor will take a history from you and perform a physical exam. In listening to your chest, the doctor may not hear breath sounds clearly on one side or may hear scratchy sounds in the chest (rub). Or the doctor may notice that your abdomen is swollen. After the examination, the doctor will link the symptoms your reported to the finding of the physical exam. The doctor will want to know whether or not you have had other symptoms, like fever, chills, pain, or unusual lumps on the torso. The doctor will also want to know whether your appetite is good and whether you have lost any weight. He or she may ask about asbestos exposure and cigarette use. Continue Reading »

Mesothelioma develops into cancer at a very slow rate, making it hard to initially diagnose. It can take anywhere from 25 to 40 years. The amount of time a patient takes to report symptoms varies from two weeks to two years, averaging about two months. Up to 25% of patients with Mesothelioma can have symptoms for six months or more before seeking medical attention. Since Mesothelioma is a slow developing disease, it tends to affect people between the ages of 50 and 70. Men are three to five times more likely to contract Mesothelioma than women, and it is less common in African Americans than Caucasians. The right lung is larger than the left lung, so the right side of the chest tends to be more affected than the left side of the chest. Continue Reading »

Asbestos is a group of minerals that are used in different industries. They have been mined since the 1800s. Asbestos is a poor conductor of head and electricity making it an excellent insulator. Asbestos fibers are separated into thin threads and then woven together. Asbestos fibers easily break apart and the resulting dust float in the air and sticks to clothes. When these fibers are inhaled or swallowed serious health problem can arise, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Continue Reading »