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When it comes to screening and diagnosis of mesothelioma, staging of the cancer is one of the most important aspects to further commence the treatment. For apt staging of the cancer, doctor usually seeks help from X ray, CT scan, MRI scan etc.

depending upon the area of affection, fine needle aspiration cytology is done to remove a piece of mesothelium and investigated in laboratory. No doubt this is important to confirm the diagnosis but also the types of cells involved in ascertained so that exact staging of the mesothelioma is possible.

The four stages of mesothelioma are:

(a) Localized cancer where only a small area of chest or abdomen is affected. Surgery can do well here.

(b) Adjoining areas like lungs or diaphragm are involved due to spreading of cancer in second stage.

(c) Along with adjoining areas, lymph nodes are involved in third stage that indicates further spread

(d) Metastasis to distant organs like brain and lung tissues is evident in final and fourth stage.

Well, once the diagnosis and staging are done, apt treatment strategies are sketched by expert oncologists. If surgery is not feasible due to spread of the cancer, mesothelioma treatment may involve chemotherapy and radiation. Also alternative treatments like homeopathy are opted these days due to their efficacy in treating the disease without creating undue side effects. Also clinical trials are opted for if the doctor is sure of the positive outcome. In short, mesothelioma once diagnosed needs urgent attention to save the patient at leas for 4 to 5 years.