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Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural cancer and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal cancer.

The symptoms may manifest between 10 and 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and breathlessness.

Risk Factors

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres get into the body. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or lungs. Mesothelioma can also form in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or the pericardium. It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to develop and show symptoms that can be confused with flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma most often affects older people and is more common in men than women.

The main risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of tiny fibres which were employed in construction materials, like walls and ceilings, because of its resistance to fire and heat. It was also extensively employed in the production of goods such as pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was common, such as mining, construction or shipbuilding are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who only been exposed to asbestos for a short period of time such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing or skin are at risk.

A small portion (less than 5%) of mesothelioma can be traced to mutations in the gene BAP1. This genetic change can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos (read this post from Wolvesbaneuo).

Age is another important risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most common in those who are older than 45 years and two-thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years old or older. This is partly due to the long latency period that is associated with asbestos exposure however, it could be due to the fact that the condition is more prevalent in older patients who have experienced longer-term and more intense exposure to the cancer-causing substance.

Mesothelioma is more prevalent among white males than in women or people of any other racial group. This is due to the fact that historically white men were more likely to work in jobs that put them at a greater risk of exposure to asbestos compensation than other groups. Mesothelioma typically affects those who were exposed to asbestos litigation prior to the 1980s, when more stringent regulations were in place.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by asbestos, occurs in the linings that protect several organs. The cancerous tumors that form in the tissue could cause irreparable damage and pain. The malignancy could spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. They often take 10 - 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos lawsuit. This time of latency makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma early, and the symptoms may be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.

The majority of malignant tumors originate in the lungs or chest cavity (pleura). But mesothelioma can also grow in the tissues of the abdomen and the heart. In rare cases it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes.

Asbestos is a class of minerals that create long thin fibers. These fibers are so strong that they are unable to be broken by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were used extensively in a variety of construction and household products before scientists realized how harmful they were to people's lives.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos either at work or home. The majority of patients exposed worked for the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. It is more prevalent among men than women and veterans account for about 30 percent of mesothelioma cases.

When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can detect it through imaging scans and medical tests. These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also send a tissue sample to a laboratory for analysis.

The results will help determine the mesothelioma's stage and type which affects the prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid and between 10% and 15% are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma tends to be less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is more difficult to treat.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify, especially in its early stages. The first step is for patients to see their primary physician with any signs, like chest pains or coughing. The doctor will utilize a stethoscope to listen to the patient's breathing and then record their health history and work history. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is crucial to determine if mesothelioma is present.

Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can make the diagnosis since mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Cancer can infect the lung of a patient from other body parts such as the abdomen or chest. Asbestos sufferers are at risk of lung problems, including mesothelioma and pneumonia. symptoms can be confused with other respiratory illnesses.

Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy can all be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is commonly in the lungs but could also be found in the stomach or the testicles. The tests will also assist doctors find out how much of the cancer is growing throughout the body.

A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma signs like calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and the accumulation of fluid between the chest wall and the lungs. These tests can also determine whether a patient has more lungs on one side or the other.

In many cases a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking a small amount of tissue and analyzing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cells.

Some patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to look at the lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest and to sample them, or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), using sound waves to study the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare disease, and doctors are still learning to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should carefully consider their options to find the best treatment for them.

Treatment

Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the lungs, abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms usually don't show up until a few decades after exposure to asbestos case. This is why it's important for people who have had to work with asbestos lawyer to have their health checked for any unusual symptoms.

A doctor will go over your medical history in order to determine if you're at mesothelioma risks. This includes how long and intensely you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an examination to find symptoms of mesothelioma like the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium as well as the location of those cells. The most common type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. It makes up 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. Other mesothelioma types are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma that both account for approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma patients.

There are a variety of treatment options for patients with mesothelioma. The kind of treatment you choose depends on the stage and type of the mesothelioma.

In some cases, mesothelioma may be treated by radiation or chemotherapy. In these treatments, doctors employ powerful cancer-fighting medications or special equipment to eliminate tumors. This lowers the risk of mesothelioma recurring.

Other types of mesothelioma may be treated surgically which involves the removal of parts of the tissue lining of the organ affected. This can also help relieve breathing difficulties and other symptoms.

A person suffering from pleural asbestosis may undergo a procedure known as VATS. This involves placing a camera in the lungs and removing a part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, but is not a cure for the disease.

Other options for treatment include pain management and support services. It is important for people who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather as much information as possible about the disease and ways to manage it. The more they know the more prepared they are to plan a the best possible and happy future.