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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma pleural and swallowing asbestos can cause mesothelioma peritoneal. The symptoms may manifest between 10 and 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and abdominal distress. Risk Factors Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum, or the membrane around the heart (pericardium). The cancer may take up to 50 years to manifest symptoms. These symptoms are often mistaken for flu like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most common in older people and more common in males than females. Exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres which were employed in construction materials, including ceilings and walls because of its resistance to heat and fire. It was also extensively used in the manufacturing of goods like insulations, pipes, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is a serious disease for people who work in industries that make use of asbestos, like shipbuilding, mining, or construction. Even those who have had a second exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin, are at risk. A small percentage of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos. Age is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most common among 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 due to the prolonged latency associated with asbestos exposure. However it is also possible 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 males worked in jobs that put them at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed to asbestos prior to the 1980s, when more strict regulations were in place. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the protective linings of several body organs. The cancerous tumors can cause severe discomfort and cause damage to the tissue. The malignancy may be spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to those of other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. They often take 10 – 50 years to show up after exposure to asbestos. The latency period can make it difficult to detect the disease in the early stages and symptoms can be misinterpreted as other conditions. The majority of malignant tumors start in the lungs or chest cavity (pleura). However, mesothelioma may also develop in the tissues surrounding 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 create long, thin fibers. These fibers are so tough that they cannot be broken down by chemicals and water, or by bacteria. These materials were widely used in a range of construction and household products before scientists realized how hazardous 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 who were exposed were employed by the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. It is more prevalent among men than women and veterans comprise about 30 percent of mesothelioma patients. If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can spot it with imaging scans and medical tests. These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also send a tissue sample to a lab for testing. The results will allow doctors to determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease which influences prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15 percent of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancers are less aggressive and usually has the highest rate of survival. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to identify particularly in its early stages. Patients should consult their primary care physician when they are experiencing any symptoms such as chest pains or coughing. allen asbestos law firm will listen to the patient's breathing through a stethoscope and take down their work and health history. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is important to determine if mesothelioma is present. Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other illnesses, doctors must rule out other conditions before confirming the diagnosis. For example the cancer is often spread to the lungs of a patient from another part of the body, for instance, their abdomen or chest wall. Asbestos-related lung diseases, such as pneumonia, are common in asbestos sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma could also be mistaken for other respiratory diseases. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests as well as imaging tests and biopsies. These tests can help doctors identify the cancerous region, which is usually in the lungs but can also be located in the stomach or in the testicles. The tests will also assist doctors determine the extent of the cancer is growing in the body. A CT scan or MRI could show signs of mesothelioma. This includes calcium deposits (also called plaque) in the pleura, and a buildup between the lungs' and chest wall's walls. These tests can also reveal whether a person's lungs are more on one side than the other. In many cases, a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing small amounts of tissue and testing them in the laboratory for mesothelioma. Some patients may need additional tests, for example FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which can help doctors see how the tumor is affecting the blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which permits doctors to examine and collect lymph nodes that are located in the center of the chest and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to study mesothelium and the lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should carefully consider their options to determine the best treatment option for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms generally don't manifest until years after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, it's crucial for those who have worked around asbestos to have their health checked if they develop any strange symptoms. A doctor will take a medical history to check for mesothelioma-related risk factors, for example, the length of time and intensity an individual was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an examination to find symptoms of mesothelioma like the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The type of cells in the mesothelium and the location of those cells, are used to identify mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common type of to 80% of mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic, which represent between 10% and 15% of all mesothelioma cases. There are a variety of treatment options for patients with mesothelioma. The type of treatment is dependent on the stage and type of mesothelioma. In some cases, mesothelioma may be treated through radiation or chemotherapy. In these procedures doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or use special equipment to kill cancerous tumors and decrease the chance of mesothelioma recurring. Other forms of mesothelioma are treated by surgery that eliminates a part of the lining of the affected organ. This can also ease symptoms like breathing problems. If a person has mesothelioma pleural, their doctor may 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 breathlessness caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, but does not cure the disease. Other treatment options include pain management or support services. It is essential that patients who suffer from mesothelioma have as much information about the disease as possible and the best ways to treat it. The more educated they are more prepared they will be to prepare for a future that includes a full range of wellness and health activities.