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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area. These symptoms can be a sign of less serious illnesses. They can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to show. The symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and shortness of breathe. Risk Factors Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. The most commonly encountered mesothelioma type is mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum or the heart's pericardial membrane (pericardium). The cancer can take up to 50 years to manifest symptoms. The symptoms are often mistaken for flu like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people and is more prevalent in males than women. The main risk factor for mesothelioma involves exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of tiny fibres which were used in construction materials, like ceilings and walls, due to its resistance to fire and heat. It was also used extensively in the production of products like insulations, pipes, shingles, and cement. Mesothelioma is an extremely serious illness for people who work in industries that use asbestos, for example mining, shipbuilding or construction. Even those who only been exposed to asbestos for a short period of time such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk. A small proportion of mesothelioma patients are linked to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic change can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos. The patient's age is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in those who are older than 45, and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years 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 due to the long exposure. White males are more likely develop mesothelioma than anyone else of any race or gender. This is because historically, more white males worked in occupations that put them at greater risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who were exposed asbestos before the 1980s, when better regulations were in place. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that develops in the linings that protect many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors can cause extreme discomfort and cause damage to the tissue. The malignancy may expand to other areas through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. They often take 10 – 50 years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This delay in time makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma early. Additionally, the symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions. Most malignant tumors begin in the chest cavity or lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma may also form in the linings surrounding the abdomen and heart. In rare cases the disease may affect the testes' lining or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is a class of minerals that make long thin fibers. These fibers are so tough that they are unable to be broken down by chemical, water or bacteria. These materials were widely used in a range of construction and household products before scientists realised how harmful they were to the lives of people. The majority of mesothelioma cases were triggered by exposure to asbestos at work or home. The majority of patients exposed were employed in the US Navy, Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. It is more common in men than women and veterans comprise about 30 percent of mesothelioma patients. Imaging scans and medical tests can aid in diagnosing mesothelioma. This includes X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also send a sample of tissue to a lab for testing. The results can aid in determining the mesothelioma's stage and type which affects the prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15% of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is usually less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in particular in the early stages. Patients should first consult their primary physician if they notice any signs such as chest pains or coughing. The doctor will examine the patient's breathing with a stethoscope and take down their work and health history. This includes any asbestos exposure background, which is essential to determine mesothelioma's presence. palatine asbestos law firm must rule out other diseases before they can make a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are like those of other diseases. Cancer can spread to the lungs of a patient from other parts of the body such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common in asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma may be confused with other respiratory diseases. Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests can help doctors find the cancerous area that is typically located in the lungs but can also be found in the stomach or testicles. The tests will help doctors determine the extent to which the cancer has spread in the body. A CT scan or MRI could reveal the signs of mesothelioma, such as calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also determine whether a person has more lungs on one side or the other. In many instances, a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking a small amount of tissue and analyzing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cells. Some patients may need additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), which helps doctors understand how the tumor is affecting blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which enables 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 look at the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare condition, and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer must carefully weigh their options to find the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms generally don't appear until several years after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, it is important for those who have been exposed to asbestos to get checked out for any unusual symptoms. A doctor will conduct an medical history to look for mesothelioma-related risk factors, including the length of time and intensity an individual was exposed to asbestos. A doctor can also perform an exam to check for mesothelioma-related symptoms like an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The type of cells in the mesothelium and the location of those cells, are used to classify mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common type of percent to 80% mesothelioma. The other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which both account for about 10% to 15% of mesothelioma patients. There are a variety of treatments available to people suffering from mesothelioma. The kind of treatment is contingent on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease. In some cases, mesothelioma may be treated through radiation or chemotherapy. In these procedures, doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or utilize special equipment to destroy tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma recurring. Other types of mesothelioma can be treated by surgery that eliminates a part of the lining of the affected organ. This can also help relieve breathing difficulties and other symptoms. If a person 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 breathlessness caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, however it does not cure the disease. Other treatment options may include pain management and support services. It is essential that patients suffering from mesothelioma receive as much information on the disease as possible and the best ways to treat it. The more educated they are and the more they are able to plan for a future which includes a variety of health and wellness-related activities.