Wickii Vigneswaran, MD, has more than 25 years of experience treating aggressive cancers like mesothelioma. As a skilled thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon in Maywood, Illinois, Dr. Vigneswaran is a leader in the state for thoracic robotic surgery and pleural mesothelioma treatment. If you’re in the Chicago area and are looking for mesothelioma therapies to improve the quality of your life, call Wickii Vigneswaran, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.
Mesothelioma is aggressive cancer that can develop in the tissue covering most of your internal organs. This tissue is called mesothelium.
There are different types of mesothelioma based on which part of your body is affected. In most cases, mesothelioma occurs in the pleura tissue surrounding your lungs. In rare cases, however, you can develop mesothelioma around the abdomen, testicles, or heart.
The exact cause of mesothelioma isn’t known, but specific factors can increase your risk. These generally include genetics, lifestyle choices, and exposure to environmental substances like asbestos.
Mesothelioma symptoms vary depending on the part of your body affected. If you have pleural mesothelioma around your lungs, it’s common to experience:
If you have mesothelioma in your abdomen, you might also experience abdominal pain and swelling. The symptoms of other forms of mesothelioma aren’t always clear because they are very rare.
Dr. Vigneswaran performs a comprehensive physical examination to look for signs or lumps that may indicate mesothelioma. Additional tests generally include digital imaging like chest X-rays or CT scans to look for disease. Dr. Vigneswaran often confirms your diagnosis with a biopsy.
Depending on your diagnosis, Dr. Vigneswaran usually recommends additional screenings to determine the extent of your mesothelioma. These tests may include CT, MRI, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
Mesothelioma stages range from I to IV. If you have stage I mesothelioma, your cancer is fairly localized. Stage IV mesotheliomas are more advanced and have spread to other parts of your body.
When diagnosed at an early stage, surgery can sometimes cure mesothelioma. In most cases, however, mesothelioma is diagnosed in advanced stages and is harder to treat.
To manage your mesothelioma symptoms and keep you comfortable throughout your treatment, Dr. Vigneswaran might recommend several surgical procedures that:
Additional procedures for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, radiation, and clinical trials like gene or biological therapy.
To learn more about treating mesothelioma, call Wickii Vigneswaran, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.
