Malignant mesothelioma - a disease in which malignant cells form in the lining layer of the chest or abdominal cavity.

Malignant mesothelioma - a disease in which malignant cells are found in the pleura (the thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs) or peritoneum (the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most organs in the abdominal cavity). This guide is devoted to malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.

Exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of malignant mesothelioma.

All the factors that increase the likelihood of developing the disease are called risk factors. The presence of risk factors, as well as its absence does not necessarily mean the development of malignant disease. If a patient believes that he is prone to cancer, should consult with your doctor.

• Many patients with malignant mesothelioma have worked or lived in places where they are regularly exposed to asbestos (inhaled or swallowed it). After exposure to asbestos before the emergence of malignant mesothelioma usually is a long time. Other risk factors for the development of mesothelioma include:
• Shared accommodation with persons of working with asbestos.
• The presence of certain viruses.

Possible signs of malignant mesothelioma may be shortness of breath and pain in the ribs.

• Sometimes mesothelioma causes the accumulation of fluid around the lungs or the abdominal cavity. These symptoms may be caused by an accumulation of fluid or most mesothelioma. Similar clinical manifestations may also occur in other diseases. If you have one of the following symptoms better to consult with your doctor:
• Respiratory disorders.
• Pain in the chest cavity.
• Pain in the abdomen and an increase in the size of the abdomen.
• Swelling belly.
• Losing weight for no apparent reason.

For diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma using research that "look" inside the chest and abdominal cavities.

Sometimes difficult to distinguish malignant mesothelioma from lung cancer. Apply the following diagnostic procedures:

• Observation of the patient to determine the general condition of the patient, having had an evidence of disease, such as swelling, as well as any signs and symptoms do not occur in a healthy person. Should carefully question the patient about his lifestyle, bad habits carried over previous diseases of the treatment.
• Chest x-rays: X-ray study of chest cavity and the bones of the chest. X-rays - a stream of high-frequency radiation. With the passage of these rays through the human body on a special film is the appropriate image of internal organs and tissues.
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• X-ray chest cavity. X-rays are used to obtain images of organs and bones of the chest. The radiation passes through the patient and gets on film.
• Detailed analysis of blood from the formula: blood sampling was conducted to determine:
• The numbers of red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes.
• The level of hemoglobin (protein that transports oxygen) in red blood cells.
• Occupied by red blood cells in the blood.
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: in conducting this analysis, define the time during which the erythrocytes osyadut at the bottom of the tube.

Biopsy: a study physician-pathologist cells or pieces of tissue removed under a microscope for the presence of these tumor process. By the procedures of sampling cells or tissue for research include:

• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (TAB) of light: the taking of tissue or fluid using a thin needle. To determine the biopsy site (pathological focus or location of accumulation of fluid) using various imaging techniques. The skin is made a small incision in the projection area, or the accumulation of fluid, where the needle is inserted and removed a sample for further study.
• Lung biopsy. The patient lies on a table connected to a computer tomograph with which displays X-ray image of internal organs. X-control helps the doctor to determine the localization of the pathological focus in the lungs. A needle biopsy is introduced through the front wall of the chest cavity in the center of the lung. With this needle receive a small piece of tissue, which then examine under a microscope for the presence of cancer.
• Thoracoscopy: Made incision between two ribs, and thoracoscopy (thin instrument, resembling a pipe, with a lighting device and a special lens for a review) is introduced into the chest cavity.
• Ventroscopy: Made the cut in the anterior abdominal wall and ventroscopy (thin instrument, resembling a pipe, with a lighting device and a special lens for a review) is introduced into the abdominal cavity.
• Laparoscopy: Surgery designed to examine the internal organs of the abdominal cavity for signs of disease.
• Thoracoscopy: Made incision between two ribs to inspect the internal organs of the chest cavity for signs of disease.
• Bronchoscopy: The procedure for inspection of the interior surface of the trachea and the airways in the lungs for the presence of these pathological lesions. Bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and further into the lungs. Bronchoscope - a thin instrument, resembling a pipe, with a lighting device and a special lens for the review. It may also be a special device to remove pieces of tissue, which can then be investigated under the microscope for the presence of malignant cells.
• Bronchoscopy. Bronchoscope introduced through the oral cavity, trachea and main bronchi in the lungs to detect where the pathological focus. Bronchoscope - a thin instrument, resembling a pipe, with a lighting device and a special lens for the review. It may also be a special device to remove pieces of tissue, which can then be investigated under the microscope for the presence of malignant cells.
• Cytological study: The study of cells under a microscope by a doctor, pathologist for the presence of these signs of the disease. When mesothelioma analysis gaining fluid accumulating around the lungs, or from the abdominal cavity. A pathologist examines the cells of the liquid.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and patient's choice of its methods of treatment.

• Forecast (chance of recovery) depends on such factors:
• The stages of malignant neoplasms.
• The size of the tumor.
• To be a complete surgical tumor removal (radical surgery).
• Number of fluid in the abdominal or thoracic cavity.
• The age of the patient and his general condition, including the state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
• Type mesothelioma cells and their appearance under the microscope.
• Is cancer newly diagnosed or relapsed disease.