Mesothelioma Center - Penn Hills, PA
Penn Hills Oncologist Doctors for MesotheliomaType 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 Penn Hills * UPMC Cancer Center  Michael K Gibson MD  UPMC Cancer Center  UPMC Cancer Center  UPMC Cancer Center  UPMC Cancer Center  Women's Cancer Center  Allegheny General Hospital Cancer Center  Allegheny General Hospital Cancer Center  Anthony R Haradin MD  Venango Oncology Hematology Associates  Sharon Regional Health System Cancer Care Center Penn Hills, PennsylvaniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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MesotheliomaRead the Mesothelioma article » 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 MesotheliomaRisk factorsDoctors often cannot explain why one person develops cancer and another does not. But research shows that certain risk factors increase the chance that a person will develop cancer. These are the most common risk factors for cancer:
Many of these risk factors can be avoided. Others, such as family history, cannot be avoided. People can help protect themselves by staying away from known risk factors whenever possible. If you think you may be at risk for cancer, you should discuss this concern with your doctor. You may want to ask about reducing your risk and about a sch... Other Related Mesothelioma ArticlesEmergency Contact for Penn Hills
Nearby Penn Hills Hospitals *HEALTHSOUTH Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital UPMC St Margaret VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh Main Campus Transitional Infant Care Hospital The Children's Institute UPMC Shadyside Western Pennsylvania Hospital UPMC Braddock The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Forbes Regional Campus HEALTHSOUTH Hospital of Pittsburgh Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  UPMC Presbyterian  Magee-Womens Hospital  UPMC Mercy  UPMC Southside  Allegheny General Hospital  Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh North Shore  Alle-Kiski Medical Center  Select Specialty Hospital McKeesport  UPMC McKeesport  UPMC Passavant  Allegheny General Hospital Suburban Campus  LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh North Campus  Jefferson Regional Medical Center  Ohio Valley General Hospital  St Clair Hospital  Westmoreland Excela Health Hospital at Jeannette  Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital  UPMC Passavant Cranberry  Mayview State Hospital  Southwood Psychiatric Hospital  HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley  Westmoreland Regional Hospital  Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh  Monongahela Valley Hospital  Butler Memorial Hospital  Canonsburg General Hospital  ACMH Hospital  Butler VA Medical Center  Latrobe Area Hospital  Select Specialty Hospital Greensburg  Frick Hospital  Kindred Hospital at Heritage Valley  Medical Center of Beaver  Torrance State Hospital  The Washington Hospital  Ellwood City Hospital Featured Articles*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. |
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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.
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Lung Cancer
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Lung Anatomy
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