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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma pleural and swallowing asbestos can lead to mesothelioma peritoneal. The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious illnesses and can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to show. Symptoms include shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and chest pain. Risk Factors Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or the lungs. Mesothelioma can also develop in the peritoneum (the membrane surrounding the heart) or in the pericardium. The cancer may take up to 50 years to develop and manifest symptoms. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is more common in older people and is more common in males than females. The biggest risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, a natural mineral composed of tiny fibres, was employed as a building material like in ceilings and walls. It is resistant to fire and heat. It was also used in the manufacturing of goods such as pipes insulation, shingles, insulation and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos was prevalent, such as shipbuilding, mining, or construction are at risk of developing mesothelioma. However even those who had secondary exposure, such as family members who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothing and skin, are also at risk. A small percentage of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic change can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos. The age of the patient is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma is most often found in people over the age of 45 and two-thirds of those diagnosed are aged 65 or older. This is largely due to the lengthy latency period that is associated with asbestos exposure but it may be due to the fact that the condition is more prevalent in older people who have had longer-term and more intense exposure to the cancer-causing material. White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than anyone else of any race or gender. This is because historically more white males have been employed in occupations which put them at a higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma is typically seen in people who were exposed to asbestos prior to when better regulations were put into the 1980s. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the protective linings of several body organs. The cancerous tumors can cause extreme pain and damage the tissue. The malignancy could 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 such as influenza or pneumonia. They can take up to 50 years following asbestos exposure before they show symptoms. The time of latency can make it difficult to identify the disease in the early stages and symptoms could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses. In the majority of cases, malignant tumors originate in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma is also able to form in the linings surrounding the heart and abdomen. In rare instances it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes. Asbestos is a class of minerals that make long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they cannot be broken down by chemicals or water, or even bacteria. They were extensively used in a variety of household and construction materials for a long time before scientists realized how harmful they were to health. Most mesothelioma cases were caused due to exposure to asbestos at workplace or at home. The majority of patients exposed were employed by the US Navy, Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. It is more prevalent among males than females, and veterans make up around 30 percent of mesothelioma cases. If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can detect it by performing medical tests and imaging scans. These include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also send a tissue sample to a laboratory for testing. The results will help doctors determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease which can affect the prognosis as well as treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15% of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less invasive and typically has the highest rate of survival. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose particularly in its early stages. The first step is to see their primary care doctor with any symptoms, like chest pains or coughing. The doctor will listen to the patient's breathing using an stethoscope, and record their work and health history. This includes any past history of asbestos exposure, which is important to determine if mesothelioma is present. Because mesothelioma's symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, doctors must rule out other conditions before concluding the diagnosis. For instance the cancer is often spread to the lungs of patients from other parts of their body, like their abdomen or chest wall. Asbestos sufferers are at risk of lung issues, such as mesothelioma and pneumonia. symptoms can be confused with other respiratory ailments. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests can help doctors identify the cancerous area that is typically located in the lungs, but may also be found in the testicles or stomach. These tests can also help doctors determine the extent of the cancer is spreading throughout the body. A CT scan or MRI could show signs of mesothelioma. These include calcium deposits (also called plaque) in the pleura as well as an accumulation of lung tissue and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether the lungs of a person are more on one side than the other. In many cases, a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking small portions of tissue and analyzing 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 blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to examine and sample lymph nodes in the center of the chest; or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which makes use of sound waves to examine mesothelium and the lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is being treated by doctors. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should be aware of their options and determine the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma may affect the linings of the lungs or abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms usually don't manifest until years after exposure to asbestos. It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos be checked for unusual symptoms. A doctor will take a medical history to check for mesothelioma-related risk factors, including how long and how intensely someone was exposed to asbestos. A doctor can also perform an exam to check for mesothelioma signs, such as an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium, and where those cells are located. wichita falls asbestos lawyer is the most common type of% to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid, which represent between 10% and 15% of all mesothelioma cases. There are many treatment options for mesothelioma. The kind of treatment is contingent on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease. In some instances, mesothelioma is treated using radiation or chemotherapy. When treating mesothelioma, doctors utilize powerful cancer-fighting medications or special equipment to kill tumors. This lowers the risk of mesothelioma coming back. Other mesothelioma types are treated with surgery that eliminates a part of the lining from the affected organ. This can also relieve symptoms such as breathing problems. If a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura the doctor can perform a procedure called VATS, which involves inserting a camera into the lungs to remove part of the pleura and lungs. 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 treatment options may include pain management and support services. It is essential that patients with mesothelioma get as much knowledge about the disease as they can, and the best ways to treat it. The more informed they are, the better they can plan for a future that includes a variety of wellness and health activities.