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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 of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can cause mesothelioma peritoneal. The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious illnesses and can take 10 – 50 years to appear. The symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain and chest pain. Risk Factors Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. The most well-known mesothelioma type is mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the chest cavity's lining and the lungs. Less commonly, mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, or the heart's membrane (pericardium). It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to grow and to show signs, which can often be mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people, and it is more prevalent in males than women. Exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres which were utilized in construction materials, like ceilings and walls due to its resistance to heat and fire. It was also widely used in the manufacture of goods like pipes insulation, shingles, insulation and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was a common ingredient like shipbuilding, mining, or construction are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have only had a second exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin, are at risk. A small portion (less than 5%) of mesothelioma is due to a mutation in the gene BAP1. This genetic change increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among people who have been exposed to asbestos. lees summit asbestos attorney is also a risk factor. Mesothelioma is most common among people over 45 years old and two-thirds of those diagnosed with the disease are 65 years old or older. This is due to the long duration of exposure to asbestos. However, it could also be that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the prolonged exposure. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in white males than women or members of any other race. 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 typically affects those who were exposed to asbestos before the 1980s, when more stringent regulations were in place. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, occurs in the linings that protect many organs. The cancerous tumors which form in the tissue could cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy could expand to other areas through the lymphatic or bloodstream system. Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. They often take 10 – 50 years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The time of latency can make it difficult to diagnose the disease early, and symptoms could be misinterpreted as signs of other diseases. The majority of malignant tumors originate in the lungs or chest cavity (pleura). But mesothelioma can also form in the tissues of the heart and abdomen. In rare cases the disease can affect the lining of the testes or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is made up of minerals in a grouping which form long, thin fibres. These fibers are so durable that they can't be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. These materials were used widely in a variety of household and construction products for a long time before researchers realized how dangerous they were for health. Most mesothelioma patients were exposed to the material in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those who were exposed worked in the US Navy or the air force, the shipbuilding industry or construction. It is more common in men than women and veterans comprise about 30 percent of mesothelioma patients. Medical tests and imaging scans can aid in diagnosing mesothelioma. These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for analysis. The results will allow doctors to determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which can affect the prognosis as well as treatment options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid and between 10% and 15 percent are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less aggressive and typically has the highest survival rate. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages. Patients should first consult their primary care physician if they are experiencing any symptoms like chest pain or coughing. The doctor will examine the patient's breathing through the stethoscope and document their health history and work. This includes any history of asbestos exposure, which is crucial in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. Because mesothelioma's symptoms resemble other conditions, doctors need to exclude other conditions prior to concluding a diagnosis. Cancer can develop in the lung of a patient from other organs like the abdomen or chest. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common among asbestos-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma can be mistaken for other respiratory diseases. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests can help doctors find the cancerous site that is typically located in the lungs but can also be found in the testicles or stomach. The tests will assist doctors determine how far the cancer has spread throughout the body. A CT scan or MRI could reveal the mesothelioma signs, such as calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the chest wall and the lungs. These tests can also reveal whether a person has lung tissue on one side or the other. In many cases, a biopsy is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing the tissue in a small amount and testing it in the lab for mesothelioma-related cells. Certain patients might require additional tests, like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), allowing doctors to look at the lymph nodes that are located in the middle of the chest and to test them, or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) using sound waves to examine the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare condition and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. As a result patients diagnosed with the cancer must be aware of their options and decide which treatment is the best for them. Treatment Mesothelioma may affect the lung linings or abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms generally don't appear until several decades after exposure to asbestos. It is essential that those who have been exposed to asbestos should be checked if they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will look over your medical history to determine if you are at risk of mesothelioma risk. This includes how long and how often 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 classified by the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium as well as where those cells are located. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60% to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid that represent between 10% and 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are a myriad of treatment options available for people with mesothelioma. The kind of treatment is contingent on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease. In certain cases, mesothelioma is treated using chemotherapy or radiation. When treating mesothelioma, doctors utilize powerful chemotherapy drugs or equipment to kill tumors. This lowers the risk of mesothelioma returning. Other types of mesothelioma can be treated with surgery that removes part of the lining of the affected organ. This may also help alleviate symptoms such as breathing problems. If someone is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma and their doctor recommends the procedure known as VATS, that involves the use of a camera into the lungs to eliminate part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate the breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, however it does not cure the disease. Other treatment options include support or pain management. It is crucial for those who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather as much information as possible about the disease and how to deal with it. The more educated they are more prepared they will be to plan for a future which includes a wide range of health and wellness-related activities.