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Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area.

Symptoms can appear 10 to 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain, and chest pain.

Risk Factors

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibres get into the body. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or lungs. Mesothelioma may also grow in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or the pericardium. It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to develop and manifest symptoms that are often confused with flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in people over the age of 50 and is more frequent in males than females.

The main risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure asbestos. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of tiny fibres, was employed as a building material like in ceilings and walls. It is resistant to heat and fire. It was also widely utilized in the manufacture of goods like insulations, pipes, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is an extremely serious illness for those working in industries that use asbestos, like mining, shipbuilding or construction. Even those who only had secondary exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos claim-covered clothing or skin are at risk.

A small proportion (less than five percent) of mesothelioma is due to mutations in the BAP1 gene. This genetic change increases the risk of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed asbestos.

The age of the patient is also a risk factor. Mesothelioma is most common in those who are who are older than 45 and two thirds of those diagnosed with it are 65 years or older. This is due to the prolonged time between exposure to asbestos legal (research by the staff of bravi.kr). However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the long-term exposure.

White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than any other race or gender. This is because historically, more white males worked in occupations which put them at greater risk of exposure to asbestos law than other groups. In addition, mesothelioma is usually seen in people who were exposed to asbestos before more stringent regulations were put in place in the 1980s.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that develops in the protective linings of many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors can cause extreme pain and can damage the tissues. The malignancy can spread to other parts through the lymphatic or bloodstream system.

Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. They often take 10 - 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. The time of latency can make it difficult to identify the disease early and symptoms could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.

Most malignant tumors begin in the chest cavity, or lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma can also form in the linings surrounding the abdomen and the heart. In rare cases it may affect the lining of the heart or the testes.

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

The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused due to exposure to asbestos litigation at work or at home. The majority of patients exposed worked for the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. It is more prevalent in women than men and veterans comprise around 30% of mesothelioma cases.

When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can spot it by performing medical tests and imaging scans. 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 type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease, which influences prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and between 10% and 15 percent are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is more difficult to detect and has a less favorable prognosis.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma, particularly in the early stages. The first step is for patients to see their primary care doctor with any signs, like coughing or chest pains. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing through an stethoscope, and record their medical history and work. This includes any past history of 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 similar to other diseases. Cancer can develop in 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 case sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma could be confused with other respiratory diseases.

Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy can all be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is most often found in the lungs, but could also be found in the stomach or testicles. These tests can also help doctors find out how much of the cancer is growing within the body.

A CT scan or MRI could reveal signs of mesothelioma. These include calcium deposits (also called plaque) in the pleura as well as an accumulation between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether a person has lung tissue on one side or the other.

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

Some patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) which allows doctors to examine the lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest, and to test the lymph nodes, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS), using sound waves to study the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare disease and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. In the end those diagnosed with cancer need to be aware of their options and decide which treatment is the best for them.

Treatment

Mesothelioma can affect the lung linings or abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms generally don't manifest until decades after exposure to asbestos. This is why it's crucial for those who have had to work with asbestos lawsuit to be examined if they develop any strange symptoms.

A doctor will take an medical history to look for mesothelioma risk factors, for example, how long and how often an individual was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an examination to find signs of mesothelioma, like the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The type of cells that reside in the mesothelium and the location of these cells, are used to classify mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60 to 80% of mesothelioma. Other mesothelioma types include sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic that account for 10% to 15% of all mesothelioma cases.

There are a myriad of treatments available to people with mesothelioma. The type of treatment is dependent on the stage and type of the mesothelioma.

In some cases, the mesothelioma is treated using radiation or chemotherapy. In these treatments, doctors employ powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to eliminate tumors. This reduces the chance of mesothelioma returning.

Other forms of mesothelioma are treated with surgery that removes part of the lining of the affected organ. This can also ease symptoms such as breathing problems.

A person with pleural asbestosis may undergo a procedure called VATS. This involves inserting a camera into lung and then removing a piece of the pleura and lung. This procedure can help improve the breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, but is not a cure for the disease.

Other treatment options could include support and management of pain. It is vital that people with mesothelioma get as much information about the disease as possible and the best way to manage it. The more informed they are and the more they are able to plan for a future which includes a wide range of wellness and health activities.