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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor caused by asbestos exposure, is a serious condition. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural cancer, and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal cancer. The symptoms can manifest within 10 to 50 years of the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and abdominal distress. 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 form 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. The symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like symptoms. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people and is more prevalent in men than women. Exposure to asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. 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 resistant to fire and heat. It was also extensively used in the manufacture of goods like pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was a common ingredient like mining, construction or shipbuilding are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who only had a second exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos-covered clothing or skin are at risk. A small proportion of mesothelioma patients are linked to a genetic mutation known as BAP1. This genetic change increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos. The patient's age is also a risk factor. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in people over 45 years old, and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with the disease are 65 years old or older. This is largely due to the long latency time due to asbestos exposure, however, it could be due to the fact that the disease tends to impact older those who have had a more prolonged and heavy exposure to the cancer-causing material. White males are more likely develop mesothelioma than anyone else of any race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically, more white men have worked in occupations which put them at a higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma is usually seen in people who were exposed to asbestos prior to when better regulations were put into place in the 1980s. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related tumor that forms in the linings that protect various organs in the body. The cancerous tumors can cause severe pain and damage the tissue. The malignancy may be spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. It could take up to 50 years following asbestos exposure before they show symptoms. This delay in time makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions. The majority of malignant tumors originate in the chest cavity, or lungs (pleura). But mesothelioma can also form in the linings of the heart and abdomen. In rare instances the disease can affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that form long, thin fibres. These fibers are strong enough that they aren't broken down by water, chemicals or bacteria. These materials were widely used in a range of construction and household products before scientists realised how harmful they were to people's lives. The majority of patients with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or at home and the majority of those exposed worked in the US Navy and the air force, the construction or shipbuilding industries. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Veterans comprise around 30 percent of all cases. If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can detect it by performing imaging scans and medical tests. This includes X-rays CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also send a sample of tissue to a laboratory for analysis. 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 or sarcomatoid and between 10 and 15% are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma tends to be less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is more difficult to diagnose and has a lower prognosis. Diagnosis It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma, particularly at an early stage. Patients should first consult their primary care physician when they notice any signs such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will examine the patient's breathing using the stethoscope and document their medical history and work. This includes any past history of asbestos exposure, which is essential for diagnosing mesothelioma. Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can make the diagnosis, as mesothelioma signs are similar to those of other diseases. fishers asbestos law firm can develop in the lung of a patient from other parts of the body like the abdomen or chest. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are very common among asbestos-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma may also be mistaken for other respiratory diseases. Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy can all be used to diagnose mesothelioma. These tests aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is most often found in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or the testicles. The tests can help doctors determine how far the cancer has spread throughout the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma-related signs. This includes calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura, and an accumulation of lung tissue and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether the lungs of a person are more prominent on one side than on the other. In many instances, a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking the tissue in a small amount and testing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cells. Some patients may require additional tests, like 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 in the center of the chest; or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which makes use of sound waves to look at the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare condition and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Therefore patients 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's lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms generally don't appear until several decades after exposure to asbestos. It is essential that those who have been exposed to asbestos be examined if they exhibit any strange symptoms. A doctor will take an medical history to look for mesothelioma-related risk factors, such as how long and how intensely someone was exposed to asbestos. A doctor will also perform an examination to determine mesothelioma-related symptoms like fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium as well as the location of those cells. The most common mesothelioma type is epithelioid, which makes up 60% to 80% of mesothelioma cases. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which account for 10% to 15% of all mesothelioma cases. There are a variety of treatment options available for people suffering from mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease. In certain cases, mesothelioma is treatable by radiation or chemotherapy. In these treatments, doctors employ powerful cancer-fighting medications or special equipment to kill tumors. This decreases the likelihood of mesothelioma coming back. Other mesothelioma types are treated with surgery that removes part of the lining of the affected organ. This may also help alleviate breathing difficulties and other symptoms. If a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura, their doctor may perform VATS, a procedure that involves the use of a camera into the lungs in order to remove part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can help improve the breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, however it does not cure the condition. Other treatment options may include pain management and support services. It is essential that patients suffering from mesothelioma receive as much knowledge about the disease as they can and how to deal with it. The more they know, the better equipped they are to plan for an enjoyable and healthy future.