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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor caused by asbestos exposure, is a serious illness. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural cancer, and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal cancer. Symptoms can appear within 10 to 50 years of the initial diagnosis. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and shortness of breathe. Risk Factors Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma. The most well-known mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the chest cavity's lining and lungs. Mesothelioma can also form in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or the pericardium. It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to develop and to show signs that are often confused with flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma most often affects older people, and it is more common in men than women. Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. 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 widely utilized in the manufacturing of goods such as pipes, insulations shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is an extremely serious illness for those working in industries that employ asbestos, for example shipbuilding, mining, or construction. However, even those who only had a secondary exposure to asbestos, such as relatives who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothes and skin, are at risk. A small proportion (less than five percent) of mesothelioma is due to a mutation in the gene BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the risk of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed asbestos. The patient's age 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 it are 65 years or older. This is largely due to the lengthy latency period that is associated with asbestos exposure however, it could also be because the disease tends to affect older people who have had more prolonged and heavy exposure to asbestos-related material.
White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than anyone else of any race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically, more white men have been employed in occupations which put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who were exposed to asbestos before the 1980s, when more stringent regulations were in place. Symptoms Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by asbestos, is found in the protective linings of several organs. The cancerous tumors can cause extreme pain and can damage the tissues. The malignancy can expand to other areas through the lymphatic or bloodstream system. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. It can take up to 50 years following asbestos exposure before showing symptoms. This time of latency makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma early. Additionally, the symptoms could be mistaken for other conditions. Most malignant tumors begin in the chest cavity or lungs (pleura). However, mesothelioma may also develop in the linings of the heart and abdomen. In rare instances, it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes. Asbestos is a group of minerals that make long, thin fibers. These fibers are so durable that they cannot be broken down by chemical and water, or by bacteria. They were widely used in many construction and household products for decades before scientists understood how harmful they were to health. The majority of patients with mesothelioma were exposed to the substance in the workplace or at home and the majority of those exposed were employed in the US Navy and the air force, the shipbuilding industry or construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Veterans make up around 30 percent of all cases. Imaging scans and medical tests can help doctors identify mesothelioma. These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also send a tissue sample to a laboratory for analysis. The results will help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease, which affects the prognosis and treatment options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid or sarcomatoid and between 10% and 15 percent are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancers are less aggressive and generally has the highest survival rate. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma can be more difficult to detect and has a less favorable prognosis. Diagnosis It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma in particular in its early stages. Patients should first visit their primary care physician if they notice any signs like chest pain or coughing. The doctor will use a stethoscope listen to the patient breathing and then record their health history and work history. This includes any history of asbestos exposure, which is essential to determine if mesothelioma is present. Because mesothelioma's symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, doctors must be able to rule out other conditions prior to confirming the diagnosis. Cancer can infect the lungs of a patient from other body parts such as the abdomen or chest. Asbestos-related lung diseases, like pneumonia, are common in asbestos-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma can also be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses. Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy are all used to identify mesothelioma. These tests will aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is most often found in the lungs, but can also be in the stomach or the testicles. The tests will help doctors determine the extent to which the cancer has spread within the body. A CT scan or MRI could reveal the signs of mesothelioma like calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall. These tests can also show whether the lungs of a person are more pronounced on one side or the other. In many cases, a biopsy is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing small quantities of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma. Some patients may require additional tests, for example FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), which allows doctors to see how the tumor is affecting lungs' blood supply; mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to examine and collect lymph nodes that are located in the center of the chest as well as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), which uses sound waves to examine 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 be aware of their options and determine the best treatment option for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms generally don't appear until several decades after exposure to asbestos. This is why it is important for those who have worked around asbestos to get checked out if they develop any strange symptoms. A doctor will collect an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma risk factors, such as the length of time and intensity an individual was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an examination to find mesothelioma-related signs, such as fluid build-up in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium, and where those cells are located. Epithelioid-like mesothelioma comprises 60 to 80% of mesothelioma. The other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma which represent approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment is based on the stage and type of the mesothelioma. In certain cases, mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. In these treatments doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting medications or use special equipment to kill tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma coming back. Other forms of mesothelioma are treated with surgery that eliminates a part of the lining of the affected organ. This can also ease symptoms like breathing problems. If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura the doctor can perform a procedure called VATS, which uses a camera inserted into the lungs in order to remove part of the pleura and lung. This can improve breathlessness caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, but does not cure the condition. |
