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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers cause pleural mesothelioma and swallowed asbestos can cause mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Symptoms can appear within 10 to 50 years of the initial diagnosis. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and breathlessness. Risk Factors Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres enter the body. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or 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 develop and show symptoms that can be mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people, and it is more prevalent in men than women. The exposure to asbestos is the biggest risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral composed of tiny fibres, was used in the construction of buildings, such as in ceilings and walls. It is impervious to heat and fire. It was also used in the manufacturing of goods such as pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos was common like mining, construction or shipbuilding are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have only had secondary exposure to asbestos such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing or skin are at risk. A small proportion of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the risk of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos. Age is another significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most often found in those over 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is due to the lengthy time between exposure to asbestos. However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease due to the long exposure to asbestos. White males are more likely develop mesothelioma than anyone else of any race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically, more white males worked in occupations that put them at a greater risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma is typically seen in people who were exposed to asbestos prior to when more stringent regulations were put in during the 1980s. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that develops in the protective linings of many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors which form within the tissue may cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy may be spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. They can take up to 50 years following exposure to asbestos before showing symptoms. The latency period can make it difficult to identify the disease in the early stages and symptoms could be misinterpreted as signs of other diseases. 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 it may affect the lining of the heart or the testes. Asbestos is made up of a collection of minerals that forms long, thin fibers. These fibers are so strong that they can't be broken down by water, chemicals or bacteria. These materials were widely used in a variety of construction and household products before scientists discovered the dangers they posed to people's lives. The majority of patients with mesothelioma were exposed to the substance in the workplace or at home and the majority of those who were exposed were employed in the US Navy or air force, construction or shipbuilding industries. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Veterans make up around 30% of all cases. If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can detect it with 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 testing. The results will help determine the mesothelioma's stage and type which affects prognosis as well as treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15 percent of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less invasive and generally has the highest rate of survival. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to identify and has a poorer prognosis. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to identify especially in its initial stages. The first step is for patients to see their primary care physician if they experience any signs, like chest pains or coughing. The doctor will listen to the patient's breathing using a stethoscope and take down their health history and work. This includes any asbestos exposure background, which is essential for diagnosing mesothelioma. Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can make a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. Cancer can infect the lung of a patient from other organs like the abdomen or chest. Asbestos victims are prone to lung issues, such as pneumonia, and pleural mesothelioma symptoms can be confused with other respiratory ailments. Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests, imaging tests and biopsies. These tests can aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is often found in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or testicles. The tests will also assist doctors determine the extent of the cancer is spreading in the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma-related signs. These include calcium deposits (also called plaque) in the pleura, and a buildup between the lungs' and chest wall's walls. These tests can also reveal whether a person's lungs are more pronounced on one side than the other. In many cases, a biopsy is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing the tissue in a small amount and testing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cell. Some patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to look at the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest, and to take samples of them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) which uses sound waves to study the lungs and the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is currently being treated by doctors. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer need to carefully consider their options to determine the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma may affect the linings of the lungs or abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms are not usually evident for a long time after asbestos exposure. It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos should be checked for unusual symptoms. A doctor will conduct an medical history to look for mesothelioma risk factors such as the length of time and intensity someone was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an exam to look for mesothelioma-related signs, for example, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. bridgeport asbestos lawyer of cells in the mesothelium and the locations of those cells are used to categorize mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60 percent to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid, which make up between 10% and 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are many different treatment options for patients suffering from mesothelioma. The treatment option is dependent on the type and stage of mesothelioma. In some instances, mesothelioma is treated using radiation or chemotherapy. In these treatments, doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting drugs or use special equipment to eliminate tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma coming back. Other mesothelioma types can be treated surgically, which removes parts of the lining of the affected organ. It can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing problems. If a person is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma and their doctor recommends VATS, a procedure which uses a camera inserted into the lungs to remove part of the pleura and lungs. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, however it does not cure the disease. Other options for treatment include support or pain management. It is crucial for those who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather as much information as possible about the disease and how to cope with it. The more they are aware of the more equipped they are to plan for an enjoyable and healthy future.