Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area.

Symptoms may mimic symptoms of less serious diseases and can take 10 - 50 years to show. The symptoms include breathlessness, 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. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum, or the heart's pericardial membrane (pericardium). It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to grow and manifest symptoms that are often mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma most often affects older people, and is more common in men than women.

The main risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres which were used in construction materials, like ceilings and walls, because of its resistance to heat and fire. It was also used in the manufacturing of goods such as pipes insulation, shingles, insulation and cement. Mesothelioma is a serious disease for those who work in industries that make use of asbestos, such as shipbuilding, mining or construction. However even those who had a secondary exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothing and skin, are at risk.

A small proportion of mesothelioma cases are linked to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic change increases the risk of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos legal.

The age of the patient is also an important risk factor. Mesothelioma is most common among those who are who are older than 45, and two thirds of those diagnosed with the disease are 65 years old or older. This is largely due to the long latency period that is associated with asbestos lawyer exposure however, it could be due to the fact that the disease tends to affect older those who have had a more prolonged and heavy exposure to the cancer-causing substance.

White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than any other race or gender. This is because historically more white men have worked in occupations which put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. In addition, mesothelioma is typically seen in people who were exposed to asbestos before more stringent regulations were put in during the 1980s.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that develops in the protective linings around several body organs. The cancerous tumors can cause extreme discomfort and cause damage to the tissue. The malignancy can spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to those of other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. It can take up to 50 years following exposure to asbestos attorney before showing symptoms. This latency period makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma early, and the symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions.

The majority of malignant tumors start in the chest cavity or lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma may 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 minerals in a grouping that forms long, thin fibres. The fibers are so strong that they aren't broken down by water, chemicals or bacteria. They were extensively used in various construction and household products for a long time before scientists realized the dangers they pose to health.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos at workplace or at home. The majority of patients who were exposed were employed in the US Navy, Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. It is more prevalent in males than females and veterans account for around 30 percent of mesothelioma patients.

Imaging scans and medical tests can help doctors identify mesothelioma. These include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor may also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a lab to be tested.

The results can 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 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

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to detect particularly in its early stages. The first step is for patients to see their primary physician with any signs, like chest pains or coughing. The doctor will listen to the patient's breathing with the stethoscope and document their health history and work. This includes any asbestos exposure background, which is essential in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis.

Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can make the diagnosis since mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. Cancer can develop in the lung of a patient from other parts of the body like the abdomen or chest. Asbestos-related lung diseases, such as pneumonia, are common among asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma could be confused with other respiratory diseases.

Mesothelioma can be detected with blood tests as well as imaging tests and biopsies. These tests will aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is often found in the lungs, but can also be in the stomach or testicles. These tests can also help doctors determine the extent of the cancer is spreading in the body.

A CT scan or MRI could show signs of mesothelioma. This includes calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura as well as an accumulation between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also determine whether a person has more lung tissue on one side or the other.

In many instances, a biopsy is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing some of the tissue and analyzing it in the lab for mesothelioma-related cells.

Certain patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET), allowing doctors to look at the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest and sample them, or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) using sound waves to examine the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare disease and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. As a result patients diagnosed with cancer must be aware of their options and decide which treatment is the best for them.

Treatment

Mesothelioma may affect the lung linings, abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms typically do not show up until a few years after exposure to asbestos. It is essential that those who have been exposed to asbestos be checked for unusual symptoms.

A doctor will collect an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma risk factors including how long and how often an individual was exposed to asbestos. A doctor will also perform an examination to determine signs of mesothelioma such as fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. The type of cells in the mesothelium and the location of these cells, are used to classify mesothelioma. The most frequent type of mesothelioma is epithelioid, which makes up to 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. Other mesothelioma types are sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma which make up about 10% to 15% of mesothelioma patients.

There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease.

In certain instances, mesothelioma can be treatable with chemotherapy or radiation. In these procedures doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting medications or use special equipment to destroy cancerous tumors and decrease the chance of mesothelioma returning.

Other mesothelioma types are treated through surgery that eliminates a part of the lining of the affected organ. This can also help relieve breathing difficulties and other symptoms.

A person with asbestosis pleural may undergo a procedure called VATS. This involves inserting a camera into lungs and removing a part of the lung and pleura. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lungs. However, it does not cure mesothelioma.

Other treatment options may include support and management of pain. It is crucial for those suffering from mesothelioma to obtain the most information they can about the disease and ways to manage it. The more they know, the better equipped they are to plan a a healthy and happy future.