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February 10, 2012

Mesothelioma Center - Hattiesburg, MS

Hattiesburg Oncologist Doctors for Mesothelioma

Type of Physician: Oncologist

What is a Oncologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; the oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors. These subspecialists decide on and administer chemotherapy as well as consult with surgeons and radiotherapists on other treatment for cancer.

Specialty: Oncology (Medical)

Common Name: Cancer Doctor

Oncologist Doctors in Hattiesburg *

Medical Oncology Group
Edwin M Davidson
1110 Broad Ave
STE 500
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 864-3000

Medical Oncology Group
Purushottam V Pande
1110 Broad Ave
STE 500
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 864-3000

Ruth K Fredericks MD
Ruth K Fredericks
1020 River Oaks Dr
STE 420
Flowood, MS 39232
(601) 939-0361

University Medical Center
Louis V Puneky
2500 N State St
University of Mississippi Medical Ctr
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 984-5590

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

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Bogalusa, Louisiana
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Hurley, Mississippi

Mesothelioma

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer (malignancy) that most frequently arises from the cells lining the sacs of the chest (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum). Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form, often presenting with symptoms in the chest area. Peritoneal mesothelioma is much less common. This can effect the organs in the abdomen, and its symptoms are related to this area of the body, that is, abdominal swelling, nausea, vomiting, and bowel obstruction. The rarest form of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma, which involves the sac surrounding the heart.

There are two major cell types of mesothelioma, epithelial and sarcomatoid. Sometimes both of these cell types can be present. The sarcomatoid type is rarer and occurs in only about 15% of cases; it portends a poorer prognosis. In very rare cases, mesothelioma can originate from benign, non-malignant cells. This so-called benign mesothelioma can be cured surgically.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Most people present with complaints of shortness of breath. They also can have complaints of chest pain. Surprisingly, this pain is often not pleuritic; that is, it does not get worse with deep breathing. This is surprising in that the pleura (outer surface of the lung) is often involved in this disease, and most other diseases involving the pleura are often associated with pleuritic pain (pain that worsens with deep breathing). Patients may also be asymptomatic, with the disease discovered by physical exam or an abnormal chest X-ray.

As the disease progresses, shortness of breath increases, and weight loss, decreased appetite, and night sweats can develop. Local invasion by the tumor can result in changing of voice, loss of function of the diaphragm, and symptoms specific to the area and involvement of adjacent structures.

What causes mesothelioma?

Most peo...

Recommended Reading Related to Mesothelioma

Pleural Effusion »

What is pleural effusion?

A pleural effusion is a collection of fluid in the space between the two linings (pleura) of the lung.

When we breathe, it is like a bellows. We inhale air into our lungs and the ribs move out and the diaphragm moves down. For the lung to expand, its lining has to slide along with the chest wall movement. For this to happen, both the lungs and the ribs are covered with a slippery lining called the pleura. A small amount of fluid acts as a lubricant for these two surfaces to slide easily against each other.

Too much fluid impairs the ability of the lung to expand and move.

What causes pleural effusion?

A pleural effusion is not normal. It is not a disease but rather a complication of an underlying illness. Extra fluid (effusion) can occur for a variety of reasons. Common classification systems divide pleura...

Emergency Contact for Hattiesburg

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Hattiesburg Hospitals *

Regency Hospital of Hattiesburg
125 S 25th Ave
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601)288-8510

Wesley Medical Center
5001 Hardy St
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601)268-8000

Clearview Recovery Center
3 Clearview Cir
Moselle, MS 39459
(601)544-1499

Forrest General Hospital
6051 US Hwy 49
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601)288-7000

South Mississippi State Hospital
823 Hwy 589
Purvis, MS 39475
(601)794-0100

Perry County General Hospital
206 Bay Ave
Richton, MS 39476
(601)788-6316

South Central Regional Medical Center
1220 Jefferson St
Laurel, MS 39440
(601)426-4000

Covington County Hospital
701 S Holly St
Collins, MS 39428
(601)765-6711

Marion General Hospital
1560 Sumrall Rd
Columbia, MS 39429
(601)736-6303

Stone County Hospital
1434 E Central Ave
Wiggins, MS 39577
(601)928-6600

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

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MedicineNet Doctors

Suggested Reading on Mesothelioma by Our Doctors

  • Related Diseases & Conditions

    • Lung Cancer
      • Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form of cancer. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due to tobacco smoke. Lung cancers are classified as either small cell or non-small cell cancers.
    • Chest Pain
      • Chest pain is a common complaint by a patient in the ER. Causes of chest pain include broken or bruised ribs, pleurisy, pneumothorax, shingles, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, angina, heart attack, costochondritis, pericarditis, aorta or aortic dissection, and reflux esophagitis. Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain depends upon the cause and clinical presentation of the patient's chest pain.
    • Pleurisy (Pleuritis)
      • Pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining around the lungs, is associated with sharp chest pain upon breathing in. Cough, chest tenderness, and shortness of breath are other symptoms associated with pleurisy. Pleurisy pain can be managed with pain medication and by external splinting of the chest wall.
    • Cancer
      • Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
    • Pleural Effusion
      • Pleural effusion is an excess fluid between the two membranes that envelop the lungs. There are two classifications of causes of pleural effusion; transudate and exudate. The treatment of pleural effusion depends on the cause.
    • Cancer Risk Factors
      • Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
    • Asbestos
      • Asbestos exposure lung disease is divided into three main types, asbestosis (lung scarring caused by asbestos fibers), disease of the lining of the lung (pleural plaques, scarring, or fluid accumulation), and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos exposure. Cancers of the larynx, throat, kidney, esophagus, and gallbladder have been linked to asbestos exposure. Treatment is dependant upon the type of condition related to asbestos exposure.
    • Lungs Design And Purpose
      • The lungs are primarily responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the blood. Eliminating carbon dioxide from the blood is important, because as it builds up in the blood, headaches, drowsiness, coma, and eventually death may occur. The air we breathe in (inhalation) is warmed, humidified, and cleaned by the nose and the lungs.
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Mesothelioma

What are the lungs?

The lungs are a pair of organs in the chest, which are primarily responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the blood.

What does breathing accomplish?

The cells in the body constantly need a new supply of oxygen to produce energy. With lack of oxygen, cellular function is impaired and damage or cell death may occur. As energy is utilized, waste products are created, one of which is the gas carbon dioxide. Eliminating carbon dioxide from the body is just as important as breathing in oxygen from the air. If carbon dioxide builds up in the blood it will lead to headaches, drowsiness, coma, and eventually even death.

What is the structure of the respiratory system?

Air enters the body via the nose (preferably) or the mouth. The air enters the main win...

Read the Lungs Design And Purpose article »







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