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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. The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious illnesses and may take between 10 and 50 years before they appear. Symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain, and chest pain. Risk Factors Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres get into the body. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or 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 show symptoms that can be mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma most often affects older people and is more prevalent in males than women. The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, a natural mineral that is made up of tiny fibres, was utilized as a building material like in ceilings and walls. It is impervious to fire and heat. It was also used in the manufacturing of goods like pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is an extremely serious illness for those who work in industries that make use of asbestos, like shipbuilding, mining, or construction. Even those who only had secondary exposure to asbestos, such as family who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin, are at risk. A small percentage (less than five percent) of mesothelioma can be traced to mutations in the BAP1 gene. This genetic mutation increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos. The age of the patient is also an important risk factor. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those over 45 and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is partly due to the lengthy latency period associated with asbestos exposure, but it could be due to the fact that the condition tends to affect older patients who have experienced more extensive and prolonged exposure to asbestos-related material. Mesothelioma is more common in white males than in women or members of any other racial group. This is due to the fact that historically more white men have been employed in occupations that put them at a higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma typically affects those who were exposed asbestos before the 1980s, when more stringent regulations were in place. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related tumor that forms in the protective linings around many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors can cause extreme pain and damage the tissue. The malignancy may expand to other areas through the lymphatic or bloodstream system. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. They often take 10 – 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. This delay in time makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma early, and the symptoms can be misinterpreted as other diseases. In most cases, the malignant tumors originate in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma may also develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and the heart. In rare instances it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes. Asbestos is minerals in a grouping that form long, thin fibers. These fibers are so durable that they can't be broken down by chemical or water, or even bacteria. They were used extensively in a variety construction and household products before scientists realized how hazardous they were to people's lives. The majority of mesothelioma cases were triggered by exposure to asbestos at workplace or at home. The majority of patients who were exposed were employed by the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Veterans comprise about 30 percent of all cases. If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can detect it by performing medical tests and imaging scans. These include X rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also send a sample of tissue to a laboratory for analysis. The results will allow doctors to determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease, which affects the prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15% of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less invasive and typically has the highest survival rate. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to detect and has a lower prognosis. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to identify, especially in its early stages. Patients should first visit their primary physician if they experience any symptoms such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the patient breathing and take note of their health history and work history. This includes any past history of asbestos exposure, which is crucial to determine if mesothelioma is present. Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can make a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. For instance, the cancer often spreads to a person's lungs from another part of the body, like their chest wall or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common in asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma may be confused with other respiratory illnesses. Imaging tests, blood tests and biopsy are all used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can aid doctors in identifying the cancerous area which is usually located in the lungs but can also be in the stomach or 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 mesothelioma-related signs, 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 lungs on one side or the other. In many cases, a biopsied is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking some of the tissue and analyzing it in a lab for mesothelioma-related cells. rockford asbestos law firm may require additional tests, for example FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which allows doctors to see how the tumor is affecting blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to look at and sample lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest as well as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to examine the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is currently being treated by doctors. As a result those 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 heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms usually don't show up for several decades following exposure to asbestos. As a result, it is important for those who have been exposed to asbestos to be examined when they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will conduct an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma-related risk factors, such as the length of time and intensity an individual was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an exam to look for symptoms of mesothelioma like the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The type of cells that reside in mesothelium, as well as the locations of those cells are used to identify mesothelioma. The most popular type of mesothelioma is epithelioid, which makes up 60% to the majority of mesothelioma patients. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid which make up between 10% and 15% of all mesothelioma cases. There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. The kind of treatment you choose is dependent on the type and stage of mesothelioma. In some instances, mesothelioma is treated using chemotherapy or radiation. During these treatments, doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or utilize special equipment to kill tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma returning. Other forms of mesothelioma are treated through surgery that eliminates a part of the lining from the affected organ. This can also ease symptoms such as breathing problems. A person with pleural asbestosis may undergo a procedure known as VATS. This involves inserting a camera into the lung and then removing a piece of the lung and pleura. This procedure can help with breathing problems due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. However, it will not cure mesothelioma. Other treatment options include support or pain management. It is essential for patients suffering from mesothelioma to obtain as much information as they can about the disease and how to manage it. The more educated they are and the more they are able to prepare for a future that includes a wide range of health and wellness-related activities.