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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural cancer, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area. The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious illnesses. They can take 10 – 50 years before they appear. The symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and breathlessness. Risk Factors Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres enter the body. The most commonly encountered mesothelioma type is mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the chest cavity's lining and lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum or the membrane around the heart (pericardium). colorado asbestos lawyer can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to grow and show symptoms, which can often be mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma typically affects older people, and is more prevalent in men than women. Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres that were employed in construction materials, including walls and ceilings, because of its resistance to fire and heat. It was also used extensively in the manufacture of goods such as pipes, insulations shingles, and cement. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for those working in industries that use asbestos, like mining, shipbuilding, or construction. However even those who had secondary exposure like relatives who brought home asbestos on their clothes and skin, are at risk. A small proportion (less than 5percent) of mesothelioma is due to mutations in the BAP1 gene. This genetic mutation increases the risk of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed asbestos. The patient's age is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those over 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 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 because of the long-term exposure to asbestos. White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically white men were more likely to work in jobs that put them at greater risk of exposure to asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who were exposed to asbestos before the 1980s, a time when more strict regulations were in place. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that develops in the protective linings of various organs in the body. The cancerous tumors which form in the tissue could cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy may extend to other areas of the body via the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. They can take up to 50 years after asbestos exposure before showing symptoms. The time of latency can make it difficult to identify the disease early and symptoms may be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses. The majority of malignant tumors start in the chest cavity or lungs (pleura). But mesothelioma can also form in the linings of the abdomen and the heart. In rare instances it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes. Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that form long, thin fibres. The fibers are so strong that they can't be broken down by water, chemicals or bacteria. They were used extensively in a range of construction and household products before scientists realized the dangers they posed to people's lives. Most mesothelioma cases were caused by exposure to asbestos either at workplace or at home. The majority of patients exposed worked for the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Veterans make up approximately 30 percent of all cases. When mesothelioma develops, doctors can identify it with imaging scans and medical tests. This includes X-rays CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also send a tissue sample to a lab for testing. The results can help doctors determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease, which influences prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15% of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is usually less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma, especially at an early stage. Patients should consult their primary care physician if they are experiencing any symptoms such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will utilize a stethoscope to listen to the patient breathing and record their health and work history. This includes any asbestos exposure history, which is crucial in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can make a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Cancer can infect the lungs of a patient from other organs like the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, such as pneumonia, are common among asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma may be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses. Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests will help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is most typically in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or the testicles. The tests will also help doctors determine the extent of the cancer is growing within the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal signs of mesothelioma. This includes calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura and an accumulation of lung tissue' and chest wall's walls. These tests can also reveal whether the lungs of a person are more prominent on one side or the other. In many instances, a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the lab for mesothelioma. Certain patients may require additional tests, for example FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), which helps doctors understand how the tumor is affecting the blood supply to the lungs. mediastinoscopy, which allows doctors to examine and sample lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest as well as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to examine the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should carefully consider their options to determine the best treatment option for them. Treatment Mesothelioma may affect the linings of the lungs and abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). Symptoms usually do not appear for several decades following exposure to asbestos. It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos be checked if they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will collect an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma risk factors, for example, the length of time and intensity someone was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an examination to find symptoms of mesothelioma like the 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. The most frequent type of mesothelioma is epithelioid, which makes up 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma which make up about 10% to 15% of mesothelioma patients. There are a myriad of treatments available to people with mesothelioma. The kind of treatment you choose is dependent on the type and stage of mesothelioma. In some cases, mesothelioma is treated by radiation or chemotherapy. When treating mesothelioma, doctors utilize powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to kill tumors. This lowers the risk of mesothelioma recurring. Other types of mesothelioma can be treated with surgery that eliminates a part of the lining from the affected organ. This can also ease symptoms like breathing problems. A person suffering from pleural asbestosis may undergo a procedure known as VATS. This involves placing a camera in the lung and then removing a piece of the lung and pleura. This procedure can help improve the breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, however it does not cure the disease. Other options for treatment include pain management and support services. It is crucial that those who suffer from mesothelioma have 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 wide range of health and wellness activities.