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Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural cancer, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal region.

The symptoms can manifest within 10 to 50 years of the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain and chest pain.

Risk Factors

asbestos - read here - fibers can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or lungs. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum, or the heart's pericardial membrane (pericardium). It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to form and show symptoms that can be mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people and is more prevalent in men than women.

The exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of tiny fibres, was used as a building material such as in walls and ceilings. It is impervious to heat and fire. It was also used extensively in the manufacture of goods like insulations, pipes, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is a serious disease for those working in industries that employ asbestos, for example mining, shipbuilding, or construction. Even those who have had a second exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos-covered clothing or skin are at risk.

A small percentage (less than 5percent) of mesothelioma is due to an alteration in the gene BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the chance of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos.

Age is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most often found in people over the age of 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is due in part to the lengthy latency period due to asbestos exposure, but it could also be because the disease tends to impact older those who have had a longer-term and more intense exposure to the cancer-causing material.

White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than anyone else of any race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically, more white men have worked in occupations which expose them to greater risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who were exposed to asbestos lawsuit prior to the 1980s, when more strict regulations were in place.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by asbestos, develops in the protective linings of various organs. The cancerous tumors can cause extreme pain and damage the tissue. The malignancy may spread to other parts through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. They can take up to 50 years after asbestos exposure before they show symptoms. The time of latency can make it difficult to detect the disease early and symptoms could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.

In most cases, the malignant tumors begin in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma is also able to develop in the linings around the heart and abdomen. In rare instances the disease can affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).

Asbestos is a group of minerals that form long thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they can't be broken down by chemical or water, or even bacteria. They were widely used in a variety of construction and household products for decades before scientists understood the dangers they pose to health.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos either at workplace or at home. The majority of patients who were exposed worked for the US Navy, Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. It is more prevalent among males than females and veterans comprise around 30% of mesothelioma cases.

If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can detect it with imaging scans and medical tests. This includes X-rays CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also collect a sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for analysis.

The results can help determine the type and stage of mesothelioma which affects the outlook for treatment and options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15% of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancers are less aggressive and usually has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in particular in the early stages. The first step is to see their primary care physician if they experience any symptoms, such as chest pains or coughing. The doctor will examine the patient's breathing using an stethoscope, and record their work and health history. This includes any previous asbestos litigation exposure, which is important for diagnosing mesothelioma.

Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can confirm the diagnosis, as mesothelioma signs are similar to those of other diseases. Cancer can infect the lungs of a patient from other organs such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, like pneumonia, are very common among asbestos settlement-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma could be confused with other respiratory diseases.

Mesothelioma can be detected with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests can help doctors find the cancerous area which is usually located in the lungs, but could also be in the testicles or stomach. The tests will help doctors determine the extent to which the cancer has spread within the body.

A CT scan or MRI could reveal the mesothelioma-related signs, such as calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether a person's lungs are more pronounced on one side or the other.

In many instances a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing small amounts of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma.

Certain patients may require additional tests like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to look at the lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest, and to test the lymph nodes, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) which uses sound waves to study the lungs and the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare condition and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should be aware of their options and find the best treatment for them.

Treatment

Mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms usually don't show up for several decades after asbestos claim exposure. Because of this, it's important for people who have had to work with asbestos to be examined if they develop any strange symptoms.

A doctor will review your medical history to determine if you're at mesothelioma risk. This is based on how long and how frequently you were exposed to asbestos. A doctor can also perform an examination to determine mesothelioma signs, such as an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium and the site where these cells are. The most common mesothelioma type is epithelioid. It makes up between 60 and 80percent of mesothelioma cases. Other mesothelioma types are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid, which both make up approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma cases.

There are a myriad of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment is based on the stage and type of mesothelioma.

In certain cases, mesothelioma may be treated by radiation or chemotherapy. During these treatments doctors administer powerful chemotherapy medications or use special equipment to destroy tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma recurring.

Other forms of mesothelioma can be treated surgically which involves the removal of parts of the lining of the affected organ. This can also ease symptoms such as breathing problems.

If a person has pleural mesothelioma the doctor can perform VATS, a procedure which uses a camera inserted into the lungs to eliminate part of the lung and pleura. This procedure can alleviate the breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, however it does not cure the disease.

Other options for treatment include pain management and support services. It is crucial that those with mesothelioma get as much information about the disease as they can, and the best ways to treat it. The more they are aware of the more prepared they will be to plan for a an enjoyable and healthy future.