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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma which is a cancerous tumor caused by asbestos exposure is a serious illness. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural cancer, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area. These symptoms can be a sign of less serious illnesses and can take 10 – 50 years to appear. Symptoms include shortness of breath, abdominal pain and chest pain. Risk Factors Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the chest cavity's lining and 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. The symptoms are often mistaken for flu like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people, and is more prevalent in men than women. The exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos, a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres, was utilized as a building material, such as in walls and ceilings. It is abrasive to heat and fire. It was also extensively used in the manufacture of goods such as pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. Mesothelioma is a serious disease for those working in industries that employ asbestos, like shipbuilding, mining or construction. However even those who had a secondary exposure to asbestos like relatives who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothing and skin, are at risk. A small percentage (less than 5%) of mesothelioma is linked to a mutation in the BAP1 gene. This genetic change can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed asbestos. The age of the patient is also an indicator of risk. 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 due to the long time between exposure to asbestos. However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease due to the long-term exposure to asbestos. White males are more likely develop mesothelioma more than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically more white men have been employed in occupations that expose them to greater risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who were exposed to asbestos prior to the 1980s, when better regulations were in place. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related tumor that forms in the linings that protect many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors can cause severe discomfort and cause damage to the tissue. The malignancy may spread to other parts through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to those of other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. It can take up to 50 years following exposure to asbestos before showing symptoms. This delay in time makes it difficult to identify mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions. In the majority of cases, malignant tumors start in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma can also develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and heart. In rare instances it may affect the lining around the heart or the testes. Asbestos is a group of minerals that make long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they aren't broken by chemicals, water or bacteria. These materials were used widely in various construction and household products for decades before scientists understood the dangers they pose to people's health. Most mesothelioma cases were caused by exposure to asbestos at work or at home. The majority of patients who were exposed worked for the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. It is more prevalent among men than women, and veterans make up around 30 percent of mesothelioma cases. When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can detect it by performing medical tests and imaging scans. These include X-rays CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor may also collect a sample of the tissue and send it to a lab to be tested. The results will help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which influences prognosis and 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 survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in particular in its early stages. The first step is for patients to visit their primary care doctor with any signs, like coughing or chest pains. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing through the stethoscope and document their medical history and work. This includes any asbestos exposure information, which is crucial in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. Because mesothelioma's symptoms resemble other illnesses, doctors must rule out other conditions before confirming a diagnosis. Cancer can spread to the lungs of a patient from other organs such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related victims are more prone to lung diseases, such as mesothelioma and pneumonia. symptoms may be confused with other respiratory ailments. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is typically in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or testicles. The tests will also help doctors determine the extent of the cancer is spreading within the body. A CT scan or MRI could show signs of mesothelioma. These include calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura, and an accumulation of lung tissue and chest wall. These tests can also determine whether a person has lungs on one side or the other. In many cases biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing small quantities of tissue and testing them in the laboratory for mesothelioma. Certain patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), allowing doctors to check the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest and to test them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS), using sound waves to study the lungs and the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare disease, and doctors are still learning to treat it effectively. As a result patients diagnosed with cancer must consider their options carefully and decide which treatment is the best for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms generally don't manifest until decades after exposure to asbestos. This is why it's crucial for those who have worked around asbestos to be examined if they develop any strange symptoms. A doctor will go over your medical history to determine if you have mesothelioma risk. This includes how long and intensely you were exposed to asbestos. A doctor may also conduct an exam to check for signs of mesothelioma such as the accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is categorized by the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium, and the location of those cells. Epithelioid-like mesothelioma comprises 60 percent to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma which make up between 10% and 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are a myriad of treatment options available for people suffering from mesothelioma. The kind of treatment is contingent on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease. In certain cases, mesothelioma is treated with chemotherapy or radiation. During these treatments, doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting medications or use special equipment to kill tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma coming back. Other types of mesothelioma may be treated with surgery which involves the removal of parts of the lining of the affected organ. marietta asbestos lawsuit can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing difficulties. If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma pleural, their doctor may perform a procedure called VATS, which uses a camera inserted into the lungs to eliminate part of the pleura and lungs. This procedure can ease breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lung. However, it can not cure mesothelioma. Other options for treatment include support and pain management. It is essential that patients with mesothelioma get as much information on the disease as they can, and how to deal with it. The more educated they are and the more they are able to plan for a future that includes a wide range of wellness and health activities.