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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 peritoneal cancer. The symptoms may manifest 10 to 50 years after the initial diagnosis. The symptoms could include abdominal pain, chest pain and breathlessness. Risk Factors Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres enter the body. The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum or in the heart's membrane (pericardium). It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to grow and manifest symptoms that can be mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people and is more prevalent in men than women. The main risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of tiny fibres, was used as a building material, like in ceilings and walls. It is abrasive to fire and heat. It was also used extensively in the manufacture of goods like insulations, pipes, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for those who work in industries that use asbestos, such as mining, shipbuilding or construction. Even those who have had secondary exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk. A small percentage (less than 5%) of mesothelioma is due to a mutation in the BAP1 gene. This genetic change increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among people who have been exposed to asbestos. Age is another important risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those over 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are aged 65 or older. This is partly due to the long latency period that is associated with asbestos exposure but it may also be because the disease tends to affect older those who have had a more extensive and prolonged exposure to asbestos-related material. White males are more likely develop mesothelioma than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically more white men worked in jobs which put them at greater risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Mesothelioma typically affects those who were exposed to asbestos prior to the 1980s, when better regulations were in place. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related tumor that forms in the linings that protect many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors that form within the tissue may damage them and cause severe pain. The malignancy may be spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. It can take up to 50 years following asbestos exposure before showing symptoms. The latency period can make it difficult to detect the disease early and symptoms could be misinterpreted as signs of other diseases. In most cases, the malignant tumors originate in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma is also able to develop in the linings that surround the heart and abdomen. In rare cases the disease may 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 strong that they can't be broken down by water, chemicals or bacteria. They were used extensively in a variety of construction and household products before scientists discovered how hazardous they were to the lives of people. The majority of mesothelioma cases were triggered by exposure to asbestos at work or home. The majority of patients exposed were employed in the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Veterans comprise around 30% of all cases. Medical tests and imaging scans can aid doctors in identifying mesothelioma. This includes X-rays CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also send a sample of tissue to a laboratory for analysis. The results can help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which influences prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15% of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancers are less aggressive and typically has the highest survival rate. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma can be more difficult to detect and has a poorer prognosis. Diagnosis It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma, especially at an early stage. The first step is to visit their primary physician with any signs, like chest pains or coughing. The doctor will listen to the patient's breathing using a stethoscope and take down their health history and work. This includes any past history of asbestos exposure, which is crucial in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. Because mesothelioma's symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, doctors must be able to rule out other conditions prior to making the diagnosis. Cancer can develop in the lung tissue of a patient through other parts of the body such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos victims are prone to lung problems, including pneumonia, and pleural mesothelioma symptoms can be confused with other respiratory ailments. Mesothelioma can be detected with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests can help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is typically in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or testicles. The tests can help doctors determine how far the cancer has spread throughout the body. A CT scan or MRI can reveal mesothelioma signs like calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall. These tests can also determine whether a person has more lung capacity on one side or the other. In many instances biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing small quantities of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma. Some patients may require additional tests, for example FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), which allows doctors to 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 makes use of sound waves to examine the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare disease and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer must carefully consider their options to find the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lung linings or abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms typically do not manifest until decades after exposure to asbestos. lees summit asbestos attorney is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos should be examined if they exhibit any strange symptoms. A doctor will collect an medical history to look for mesothelioma risk factors, such as how long and how intensely 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. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium as well as where those cells are located. The most popular type of mesothelioma is epithelioid, and accounts for up between 60 and the majority of mesothelioma patients. 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 suffering from mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease. In certain cases, mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. In these treatments, doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting drugs or use special equipment to destroy cancerous cells and reduce the risk of mesothelioma returning. Other types of mesothelioma may be treated through surgery, which removes parts of the tissue lining of the organ affected. This can also relieve symptoms such as breathing problems. If a person is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, their doctor may perform the procedure known as VATS, 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, but is not a cure for the disease. Other options for treatment include support services or pain management. It is crucial for those who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather the most information they can about the disease and ways to cope with it. The more knowledgeable they are more prepared they will be to plan for a future which includes a variety of wellness and health activities.