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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a tumor that can be cancerous caused by asbestos exposure, is a serious disease. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal region. The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious diseases and can take 10 – 50 years to appear. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and a shortness of breath. Risk Factors Mesothelioma is a form of asbestos that develops when asbestos fibres enter the body. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum or in the heart's pericardial membrane (pericardium). The cancer can take up to 50 years to develop before it manifests symptoms. The symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma typically affects older people, and is more prevalent in men than women. The biggest risk factor for mesothelioma involves exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres that were utilized in construction materials, including ceilings and walls, because of its resistance to fire and heat. It was also widely used in the manufacture of goods like pipes insulation, shingles, insulation and cement. Mesothelioma is an extremely serious illness for people who work in industries that make use of asbestos, such as mining, shipbuilding, or construction. Even those who only had a second exposure to asbestos, such as family who brought home asbestos-covered clothing or skin are at risk. A small proportion (less than five percent) of mesothelioma can be traced to mutations in the gene BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos. Age is another significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma typically affects people over the age of 45 and two-thirds of those diagnosed are aged 65 or older. This is due to the lengthy time between exposure to asbestos. However, it could also be that older people are more likely to develop the disease due to the prolonged exposure to asbestos. White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically, more white men have been employed in occupations which put them at a higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma was most often seen in those who were exposed to asbestos before better regulations were put in the 1980s. Symptoms Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by asbestos, is found in the linings that protect several organs. The cancerous tumors that develop within the tissue may damage them and cause severe pain. The malignancy may expand to other areas through the lymphatic or bloodstream system. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. They typically take between 10 and 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. The latency period can make it difficult to detect the disease in the early stages and symptoms can be misinterpreted as signs of other diseases. In most cases, the malignant tumors begin in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). But mesothelioma can also grow in the tissues of the abdomen and the heart. In rare cases it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes. Asbestos is made up of a grouping of minerals which form long, thin fibers. These fibers are so durable that they cannot be broken down by chemicals and water, or by bacteria. These materials were widely used in a variety of construction and household products before scientists realised the dangers they posed to people's lives. Most mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those who were exposed were employed in the US Navy and air force, construction or shipbuilding industries. It is more prevalent in women than men, and veterans make up around 30 percent of mesothelioma patients. When mesothelioma develops, doctors can identify it by performing imaging scans and medical tests. These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also send a sample of tissue to a laboratory for analysis. The results will help determine the mesothelioma's type and stage which affects prognosis as well as treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and between 10% and 15 percent are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma, especially in the early stages. The first step is for patients to see their primary care doctor with any signs, like coughing or chest pains. The doctor will use a stethoscope listen to the patient's breathing and then record their medical history and work history. This includes any asbestos exposure history, which is crucial to determine mesothelioma's presence. Because mesothelioma's symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, doctors must rule out other conditions before making a diagnosis. For instance, the cancer often spreads to the lungs of patients from another part of the body, for instance, their abdomen or chest wall. Asbestos-related lung diseases, like pneumonia, are common in asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma may be mistaken for other respiratory diseases. Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy can all be used to diagnose mesothelioma. These tests can aid doctors in identifying the cancerous area which is usually located in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or testicles. The tests will help doctors determine how far the cancer has spread throughout the body. A CT scan or MRI could reveal the mesothelioma signs like calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and an accumulation of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether a person has lung capacity on one side or the other. In many instances, a biopsy is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the lab for mesothelioma. Some patients may require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which can help doctors see how the tumor is affecting lungs' blood supply; mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to look at and sample lymph nodes that are located in the center of the chest and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which makes use of sound waves to study the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and doctors are still learning to treat it effectively. Therefore patients diagnosed with the cancer must be aware of their options and decide what treatment is best for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms usually don't show up for several decades following exposure to asbestos. As a result, it's crucial for those who have been exposed to asbestos to be examined when they experience unusual symptoms. redondo beach asbestos law firm will review your medical history to determine if you are at risk of mesothelioma-related risks. This includes how long and how often you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also perform an examination to find signs of mesothelioma, like the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is categorized by the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium and the location of those cells. Epithelioid-like mesothelioma comprises 60% to 80% mesothelioma. The other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma which account for about 10% to 15% of mesothelioma patients. There are a variety of treatment options for patients with mesothelioma. The type of treatment is based on the type and stage of the mesothelioma. In some instances, mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. In these procedures doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or use special equipment to eliminate cancerous cells and reduce the risk of mesothelioma returning. Other mesothelioma types are treated by surgery that eliminates a part of the lining of the affected organ. It can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing problems. If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura the doctor can perform VATS, a procedure which involves inserting a camera into the lungs in order to remove part of the lung and pleura. This procedure can ease breathlessness caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. However, it can not cure mesothelioma. Other options for treatment include support services or pain management. It is important for people who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather the most information they can about the disease and ways to cope with it. The more they are aware of the more prepared they are to plan for the best possible and happy future.