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Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Related Cancers

People with a history of exposure to asbestos are at risk of developing different types of cancers, including mesothelioma. These cancers have a latency time of many years, meaning that symptoms may not be evident until decades after exposure.

The risk of developing pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma declines with time from the first exposure. The evidence is based on six occupationally and two residential cohort studies with long-term follow-up.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is cancer of the internal organs' lining, including the lung (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It's a rare and aggressive disease that most often starts in the lining of the chest cavity, but it can be found in the lining of the stomach or in other parts of the body. Asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma, and the cancer is usually not able to appear until decades after the initial exposure.

People who are exposed to asbestos in the workplace have higher chances of developing the disease than other. Asbestos fibres can be inhaled or swallowed and adhere to the lining of the organ. The irritate the lining and cause abnormal cells to multiply and develop into tumors. Symptoms usually do not appear until someone has advanced mesothelioma.

Exposure to asbestos most often occurs in jobs in the industrial sector where workers handled the material or worked near it. Asbestos was used in shipbuilding, construction as well as auto repair trades. Veterans who served in the military are at particular risk for mesothelioma, as asbestos was used extensively on ships and bases.

Patients with a exposure to asbestos need to undergo regular checks, and should be aware of any unusual symptoms. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma, they can request imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI or PET scans to check for tumors and see whether they have expanded. They may also ask about the patient's past history of asbestos exposure and perform an examination. Some cases of mesothelioma are associated with genetic changes, and therefore some patients may benefit from genetic testing.

Risk Factors

The primary risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, a mineral made up of fibers, is impervious to heat and strong. Asbestos is employed in a variety of manufacturing and construction materials, such as insulation, brakes, and shingles. When asbestos is disturbed, it releases dust that could be swallowed or inhaled. In time, this may lead to irritation of the mesothelium, which may eventually develop into mesothelioma.

People who have had a history of occupational asbestos exposure are at highest risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes people who worked in fields such as mining, shipbuilding construction, automotive repair and construction. Veterans of the military are also at risk since many branches of the military used asbestos-based materials.

Other factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma are an asbestos-related family history exposure and prior treatment with radiation to the chest. Additionally the type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed has an impact on the risk. Pleural mesothelioma is the most frequent type and usually affects the lungs. Other forms of mesothelioma are testicular, pericardial and peritoneal.

In general, the risk of mesothelioma increases with the third to fourth power of latency - which is the length of time it takes for a patient to be diagnosed. However, the rate of pleural mesothelioma shows an apparent flattening after approximately 40 years of exposure. Peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma both show this trend as well. Individuals who have exposure to asbestos - like living in close proximity to an asbestos legal plant, or consuming contaminated household products - are also at increased risk of developing mesothelioma. One study of six cities showed that those who had this type of exposure were at a higher mesothelioma risk than those who only had occupational exposure.

Signs and symptoms

Malignant mesothelioma affects the cellular of the organs' linings. It is most often seen in the lining of the lungs (pleura) and abdomen (peritoneum). Mesothelioma can also occur in the lining around the testicles or heart. It is a rare form of cancer and the majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma worked on jobs that involved exposure to asbestos. It could take years for symptoms of mesothelioma to manifest and the disease is not curable.

Asbestos is made up of a group of minerals that have tiny fibers that are resistant to heat, chemicals and fire. It is widely used in many industries, including shipbuilding, manufacturing, construction, and more. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma because the fibers get stuck in tissues that line organs and protect them which causes irritation and damage to cells. This can cause tumors to grow and eventually turn into cancerous.

The most frequent type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung's lining (pleura). It can also begin in the lining around the heart or testicles, or in the lining of your abdomen (peritoneum). Mesothelioma can also spread to the lymph nodes, which causes swelling of the lymph nodes.

The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma had many years of exposure to asbestos and are already suffering from other diseases such as chronic lung disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other illnesses and it is therefore important to consult a doctor when you are experiencing persisting or alarming signs and symptoms. Doctors might inquire about asbestos exposure in the past and conduct an examination. They may also order blood tests and imaging scans of your chest or abdomen. These tests will reveal any thickening or fluid between the lungs and chest wall.

Diagnosis

Asbestos fibers that become stuck on the body can cause harm and may eventually grow into cancerous tumors. Different kinds of asbestos-related cancers develop in various tissues or organs and is diagnosed using a variety of tests. Mesothelioma develops in the tissue lining the chest cavity and lungs (pleura) and stomach membranes (peritoneum) or around the reproductive organs and the heart.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to speak with his or her doctor about their experience with asbestos exposure and what symptoms they've been experiencing. Doctors also conduct a physical exam and may order tests of a basic nature like blood tests to determine how well the lungs function.

X-rays or CT scans can aid doctors in identifying the affected area more clearly. In certain instances doctors will perform the pleural effusion test to determine if mesothelioma or another disease is causing the accumulation of fluid in the lung. The pleural effusion could be a sign of pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma or a less common form of mesothelioma known as biphasic or mixed mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as the symptoms resemble those of other diseases and conditions. The most common symptoms are chest pain and difficulty breathing. Pleural mesothelioma can also cause a cough, chest tightness and fatigue. Peritoneal mesothelioma can cause abdominal discomfort swelling and distension. Testicular mesothelioma could manifest as a painful or itchy lump on the testicles.

Researchers are studying the presence of certain blood-borne proteins in hopes of developing an approach to detect mesothelioma earlier in its development. They are also researching various other tests and procedures that could enhance the accuracy of diagnostic tests, including mesothelioma imaging as well as MRIs. They are also studying genetic mutations and how to determine if a person is at risk for mesothelioma by examining their family history.

Treatment

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. People who have worked with asbestos, particularly in high-risk jobs such as electrical work, construction, auto repairs, shipbuilding and military service are at risk.

Exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma, when fibers are trapped in tissue that lines and protects vital organs. The fibers irritate the mesothelium and cause DNA damage that leads to cancerous cells. Mesothelioma symptoms generally don't manifest until decades after exposure.

The symptoms differ based on the type of mesothelioma and where it occurs in the body. Most mesothelioma cases involve the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) however, it can also occur in the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or testicles (testicular mesothelioma).

Mesothelioma staging helps doctors determine treatment options. The disease is classified as stage I to IV, with stages I and II being the first stages and most treatment-able. Stage III and IV are later stages of the cancer and more difficult to treat, however there are still a variety of treatment options available.

Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent form of the disease that affects the lung lining and chest wall, as well as the abdomen. In the majority of cases of pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure happened in the workplace. Most likely asbestos was inhaled via airborne particles or ingested through food.

Other risk factors include a family history of mesothelioma or genetic mutations as well as previous radiation therapy for a different disease. If you have been exposed to asbestos and suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, it is crucial to see a doctor. You may also benefit from genetic counseling. In some cases, a mesothelioma specialist can assist you in filing a lawsuit against companies who wrongfully put asbestos attorney in everyday products.