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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor caused by asbestos exposure, is a serious illness. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma pleural and swallowing asbestos can lead to mesothelioma peritoneal. Symptoms can appear within 10 to 50 years of the initial diagnosis. The symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and abdominal distress. Risk Factors Mesothelioma is a form of asbestos that develops when asbestos fibres enter the body. The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the lining of the chest cavity and the lungs. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum or in the membrane around the heart (pericardium). It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to form and to show signs that are often confused with flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in older people and more frequent in males than females. The biggest risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of tiny fibres that were used in construction materials, like walls and ceilings, because of its resistance to fire and heat. It was also extensively used in the manufacture of goods such as pipes, insulations shingles and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was common such as shipbuilding, mining, or construction are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have had a second exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk. A small portion of mesothelioma patients are linked to a genetic mutation known as BAP1. This genetic change can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos. The age of the patient is also an important risk factor. Mesothelioma is most common in those who are who are older than 45, and two thirds of those diagnosed with it are 65 years or older. This is partly due to the lengthy latency period associated with asbestos exposure, however, it could also be because the disease is more prevalent in older people who have had longer-term and more intense exposure to asbestos-related material. Mesothelioma is more prevalent among white males than in women or members of any other racial group. This is due to the fact that historically, white men were more likely to work in occupations which put them at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed to asbestos prior to the 1980s, when better regulations were in place. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the protective linings around many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors which form within the tissue may cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy can be spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. It usually takes between 10 and 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. This latency period makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms may be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses. In the majority of cases, malignant tumors originate in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). But mesothelioma can also grow in the linings 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 a grouping of minerals which form long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they can't be broken down by chemical and water, or by bacteria. These materials were used widely in a variety of construction and household products for a long time before scientists realized the dangers they pose to people's health. The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos either at workplace or at home. The majority of patients who were exposed worked for the US Navy, Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Veterans make up around 30 percent of all cases. When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can detect it through imaging scans and medical tests. These include X rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also send a tissue sample to a laboratory for analysis. The results can aid in determining the mesothelioma's type and stage which affects prognosis as well as treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15% of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less aggressive and generally has the highest rate of survival. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose especially in its initial stages. Patients should first consult their primary physician if they notice any signs like chest pain or coughing. The doctor will examine the patient's breathing through the stethoscope and document their medical history and work. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is crucial for diagnosing mesothelioma. Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other diseases, doctors must exclude other conditions prior to concluding the diagnosis. Cancer can develop in the lung tissue of a patient through other organs such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos victims are prone to lung problems, including pneumonia, and pleural mesothelioma symptoms may be confused with other respiratory illnesses. Mesothelioma can be detected with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests can aid doctors in identifying the cancerous region that is typically located in the lungs, but may also be in the stomach or testicles. The tests will assist doctors determine how far cancer has spread within the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma-related signs like calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and the accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether a person's lungs are more on one side than on the other. In many instances biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the lab for mesothelioma. 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 allows doctors to look at and sample lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), which uses sound waves to study the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer need to be aware of their options and find the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma may affect the linings of the lungs, abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms usually don't show up for several decades after exposure to asbestos. It is essential that those who have been exposed to asbestos should be examined if they exhibit unusual symptoms. A doctor will conduct a medical history to check for mesothelioma-related risk factors, such as how long and how often an individual was exposed to asbestos. A doctor will also perform an exam to check for mesothelioma signs, such as fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. indiana asbestos attorney of cells found in the mesothelium, and the locations of those cells are used to identify mesothelioma. Epithelioid-like mesothelioma comprises 60% to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which account for 10% to 15% of all mesothelioma cases. 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 certain cases, mesothelioma is treated using chemotherapy or radiation. In these treatments, doctors employ powerful chemotherapy drugs or equipment to eliminate tumors. This decreases the likelihood of mesothelioma returning. Other forms of mesothelioma are treated through surgery that removes a portion of the lining from the affected organ. This can also ease symptoms such as breathing problems. If a person has pleural mesothelioma and their doctor recommends VATS, a procedure that involves the use of a camera into the lungs to remove part of the lung and pleura. This procedure can help with breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lungs. However, it does not treat mesothelioma. Other treatment options could include support and management of pain. It is essential for patients suffering from mesothelioma to obtain the most information they can about the disease and ways to manage it. The more they are aware of the more equipped they are to plan a a healthy and happy future.