Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal mesothelioma.

Symptoms may mimic symptoms of less serious illnesses and may take between 10 and 50 years to appear. Symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain, and chest pain.

Risk Factors

Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the linings of the chest cavity or the lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum, or the heart's pericardial membrane (pericardium). It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to grow and show symptoms, which can often be confused with flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma typically affects older people, and it is more common in men than women.

Exposure to asbestos is the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos, a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres, was employed as a building material such as in walls and ceilings. It is impervious to heat and fire. It was also employed in the production of goods such as pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was a common ingredient, such as construction, mining or shipbuilding, are at high risk of developing mesothelioma. However even those who had a secondary exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos attorney-contaminated clothing and skin, are at risk.

A small percentage of mesothelioma patients are linked to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos.

Age is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most common in people older than 45 years and two-thirds of those diagnosed with it are 65 years or older. This is due to the long latency associated with asbestos exposure. However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease due to the long-term exposure.

Mesothelioma is more prevalent in white males than women or people of any other race. This is due to the fact that historically, more white men have been employed in jobs that put them at higher risk of asbestos, content, than other groups. Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed to asbestos prior to the 1980s, when more stringent regulations were in place.

Symptoms

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

Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. It usually takes between 10 and 50 years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The time of latency can make it difficult to diagnose the disease in the early stages and symptoms can be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.

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

Asbestos is a class of minerals that create long thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they aren't broken down by water, chemicals or bacteria. They were extensively used in various household and construction materials for a long time before scientists realized the dangers they pose for health.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos legal either at work or home. The majority of patients exposed were employed by the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. It is more common in males than females, and veterans make up about 30 percent of mesothelioma patients.

Imaging scans and medical tests can help doctors identify mesothelioma. This includes X-rays CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for testing.

The results can help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which can affect the prognosis as well as treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid and between 10% and 15 percent are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less aggressive and generally has the highest rate of survival. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is more difficult to diagnose and has a less favorable prognosis.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify especially in its initial stages. Patients should consult their primary care physician when they notice any signs like chest pain or coughing. The doctor will examine the patient's breathing with a stethoscope and take down their work and health history. This includes any asbestos exposure background, which is essential to determine mesothelioma's presence.

Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other illnesses, doctors must be able to rule out other conditions prior to concluding the diagnosis. For example, the cancer often spreads to the lungs of a patient from other parts of the body, for instance, their chest wall or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are very common among asbestos-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma can also be mistaken for other respiratory diseases.

Imaging tests, blood tests and biopsy are all used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is most commonly in the lungs but could also be found in the stomach or the testicles. The tests will also assist doctors determine the extent of the cancer is growing within the body.

A CT scan or MRI may reveal signs of mesothelioma. These include calcium deposits (also called plaque) in the pleura as well as a buildup between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether a patient has more lung capacity on one side or the other.

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

Certain patients may require additional tests like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), allowing doctors to check the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest and sample them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) which uses sound waves to study the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is still being treated by medical professionals. As a result, patients who are diagnosed with cancer need to consider their options carefully and decide which treatment is the best for them.

Treatment

Mesothelioma may affect the linings of the lungs or abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms are not usually evident for several decades following asbestos exposure. As a result, it's important for people who have been exposed to asbestos legal 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 risks. This includes how long and how often you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an exam to look for mesothelioma-related signs, such as fluid build-up in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is categorized by the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium and the site where these cells are. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common type of percent to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma that make up between 10% and 15% of all mesothelioma cases.

There are a variety of treatment options for patients suffering from mesothelioma. The type of treatment you choose depends on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease.

In some cases, mesothelioma is treatable with chemotherapy or radiation. During these treatments doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or utilize special equipment to kill cancerous tumors and decrease the chance of mesothelioma recurring.

Other types of mesothelioma can be treated with surgery that eliminates a part of the lining from the affected organ. It can also alleviate symptoms like breathing problems.

A person with asbestosis pleural may undergo a procedure known as VATS. This involves placing a camera in the lung and then removing a portion of the lung and pleura. This procedure can alleviate breathing problems due to the accumulation of fluid in the lung. However, it can not treat mesothelioma.

Other treatment options may include support and management of pain. It is vital that people with mesothelioma get as much knowledge about the disease as they can, and the best way to manage it. The more educated they are and the more they are able to prepare for a future that includes a wide range of health and wellness activities.