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Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos [just click for source] fibers causes mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can cause mesothelioma peritoneal.

The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious diseases and can take 10 - 50 years to appear. Symptoms include shortness of breath, abdominal pain and chest pain.

Risk Factors

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibres get into the body. The most well-known mesothelioma type is mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the chest cavity's lining and the lungs. Less commonly, mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, or the membrane around the heart (pericardium). It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to form and show symptoms that are often mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in older people and more frequent in males than females.

The biggest risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, a natural mineral that is made up of tiny fibres, was used as a building material, for example, in walls and ceilings. It is abrasive to heat and fire. It was also used extensively in the manufacture of goods such as pipes, insulations shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is a serious disease for those who work in industries that use asbestos, like shipbuilding, mining, or construction. However even those who had secondary exposure such as relatives who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothing and skin, are at risk.

A small proportion (less than 5percent) of mesothelioma is linked to mutations in the BAP1 gene. This genetic mutation increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos.

Age is another significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in those who are older than 45 and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years old or older. This is due to the long latency associated with asbestos claim exposure. However, it could also be that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the prolonged exposure to asbestos.

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 put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma was usually seen in people who were exposed to asbestos Claim before better regulations were put into the 1980s.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the protective linings of various organs in the body. The cancerous tumors which form in the tissue can cause irreparable damage and pain. The malignancy may extend to other areas of the body through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream.

Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. It can take up to 50 years following asbestos exposure before showing symptoms. The time of latency can make it difficult to diagnose the disease early and symptoms can be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.

The majority of malignant tumors start in the chest cavity or lungs (pleura). But mesothelioma can also grow in the tissues surrounding the abdomen and the heart. In rare cases, the disease can even affect the testes' lining or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).

Asbestos is a class of minerals that form long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they are unable to be broken down by chemical or water, or even bacteria. These materials were widely used in a variety construction and household products before scientists realized how hazardous they were to people's lives.

The majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to the material in the workplace or at home and the majority of those who were exposed were employed in the US Navy, the air force, the shipbuilding or construction. It is more common in males than females, and veterans make up about 30% of mesothelioma cases.

If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can spot it with imaging scans and medical tests. This includes X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also send a tissue sample to a laboratory for testing.

The results will help determine the mesothelioma's type and stage which affects the outlook for treatment and options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid or sarcomatoid and between 10% and 15 percent are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less invasive and usually has the highest rate of survival. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to diagnose and has a poorer prognosis.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma in particular at an early stage. The first step is for patients to visit their primary physician with any symptoms, such as chest pains or coughing. The doctor will listen to the patient's breathing with a stethoscope and take down their health history and work. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is important to determine if mesothelioma is present.

Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can make the diagnosis, as mesothelioma signs are like those of other diseases. Cancer can spread to the lungs of a patient from other parts of the body such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, like pneumonia, are very common among asbestos claim sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma could be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses.

Mesothelioma can be detected with blood tests as well as imaging tests and biopsies. These tests can aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is typically in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or testicles. The tests will also assist doctors determine the extent of the cancer is spreading throughout the body.

A CT scan or MRI may reveal signs of mesothelioma. These include calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura and an accumulation between the lungs' and chest wall's walls. These tests can also reveal whether the lungs of a person are more prominent on one side or the other.

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

Certain patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), allowing doctors to check the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest and test the lymph nodes, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) which uses sound waves to examine the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is being treated by medical professionals. In the end patients diagnosed with the cancer must weigh their options carefully to decide which treatment is the best for them.

Treatment

Mesothelioma may affect the lung linings, abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms usually don't show up for a long time after asbestos exposure. Because of this, it is important for those who have worked around asbestos to have their health checked if they develop any strange symptoms.

A doctor will go over your medical history to determine if you are at risk of mesothelioma risk. This includes how long and how often you were exposed to asbestos. A doctor will also perform an exam to check for mesothelioma-related symptoms like an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The type of cells that reside in the mesothelium, and the location of those cells, are used to identify mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is epithelioid. It makes up 60% to the majority of mesothelioma patients. Other mesothelioma types include biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which account for 10% to 15% of all mesothelioma cases.

There are many different treatments available to people suffering from mesothelioma. The type of treatment you choose depends on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease.

In certain cases, mesothelioma is treated by radiation or chemotherapy. In these procedures doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or use special equipment to eliminate cancerous tumors and decrease the chance of mesothelioma coming back.

Other forms of mesothelioma can be treated with surgery that removes a portion of the tissue lining of the organ affected. This can also ease symptoms such as breathing difficulties.

If a person has pleural mesothelioma the doctor can perform VATS, a procedure which involves inserting a camera into the lungs to remove part of the pleura and lungs. This procedure can help improve breathing problems caused by the build-up of fluid in the lungs, however it is not a cure for the disease.

Other treatment options could include support and management of pain. It is essential that patients suffering from mesothelioma receive as much information about the disease as they can and how to deal with it. The more informed they are more prepared they will be to plan for a future which includes a wide range of health and wellness activities.