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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers causes mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal mesothelioma. The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious diseases and may take between 10 and 50 years to appear. Symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and abdominal distress. Risk Factors Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres get into the body. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum, or the heart's pericardial membrane (pericardium). The cancer may take up to 50 years to develop before it manifests symptoms. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like symptoms. 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 is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres, was utilized as a building material, for example, in ceilings and walls. It is resistant to fire and heat. It was also used extensively in the manufacture of goods like insulations, pipes, shingles and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was common like mining, construction or shipbuilding are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have had a second exposure to asbestos, such as family who brought home asbestos-covered clothing or skin are at risk. A small percentage (less than 5%) of mesothelioma is due to mutations in the gene BAP1. This genetic change increases 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 older than 45 years and two-thirds of those who are diagnosed with the disease are 65 years old or older. This is partly due to the lengthy latency period that is associated with asbestos exposure but it may be due to the fact that the condition is more prevalent in older people who have had longer-term and more intense exposure to asbestos-related material. Mesothelioma is more common in white males than women or members of any other racial group. This is because historically more white men have been employed in jobs that put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma is typically seen in people who were exposed to asbestos prior to when better regulations were put in the 1980s. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the protective linings of many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors can cause extreme discomfort and cause damage to the tissue. The malignancy could extend to other areas of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. It usually takes between 10 and 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. The time of latency can make it difficult to diagnose the disease in the early stages and symptoms could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses. In most cases, the malignant tumors begin in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma may also develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and the heart. In rare cases, the disease can even affect the lining of the testes or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is a class of minerals that form long, thin fibers. These fibers are strong enough that they aren't broken down by water, chemicals or bacteria. They were extensively used in various household and construction materials for a long time before scientists realized the dangers they pose for health. The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos either at work or home. The majority of patients exposed were employed by the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. It is more prevalent among women than men and veterans account for about 30 percent of mesothelioma patients. If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can spot it through 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 testing. The results will aid in determining the type and stage of mesothelioma, which impacts the outlook for treatment and options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15 percent of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is usually less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma can be more difficult to diagnose and has a less favorable prognosis. Diagnosis It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in particular at an early stage. The first step is for patients to visit their primary physician with any symptoms, such as chest pains or coughing. The doctor will utilize a stethoscope to listen to the patient breathing and then record their health and work history. This includes any asbestos exposure information, which is crucial for diagnosing mesothelioma. Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can make the diagnosis since mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. For instance mesothelioma is a cancer that usually spreads to a person's lungs from another part of their body, such as their abdomen or chest wall. Asbestos victims are prone to lung diseases, such as pneumonia, and pleural mesothelioma symptoms may be confused with other respiratory illnesses. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests can help doctors find the cancerous area that is typically located in the lungs, but may also be in the stomach or in the testicles. The tests will assist doctors determine the extent to which the cancer has spread in the body. A CT scan or MRI can reveal mesothelioma signs like calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the chest wall and the lungs. These tests can also show whether a patient has more lung tissue on one side or the other. In many instances, a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the laboratory for mesothelioma. Certain patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which allows doctors to examine the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest, and to sample them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) which uses sound waves to look at the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is still being treated by doctors. plano asbestos lawyer 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) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms are not usually evident for several decades after asbestos exposure. It is essential that those who have been exposed to asbestos be checked if they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will review your medical history in order to determine if you have mesothelioma-related risks. This is based on how long and how frequently you were exposed to asbestos. A doctor can also perform an examination to determine mesothelioma signs, such as an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium as well as where those cells are located. The most frequent type of mesothelioma is epithelioid, which makes up 60% to the majority of mesothelioma patients. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid that represent between 10% and 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are many different treatment options for patients suffering from mesothelioma. The kind of treatment is contingent on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease. In some cases, mesothelioma is treatable with chemotherapy or radiation. In these treatments, doctors administer powerful chemotherapy medications or use special equipment to destroy cancerous cells and reduce the risk of mesothelioma coming back. Other forms of mesothelioma can be treated through surgery that removes a portion of the tissue lining of the organ affected. This can also ease symptoms like breathing problems. If a person has mesothelioma pleural the doctor can perform the procedure known as VATS, which involves inserting a camera into the lungs in order to remove part of the pleura and lungs. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lungs. However, it does not treat mesothelioma. Other options for treatment include support or pain management. It is important for people suffering from mesothelioma to obtain the most information they can about the disease and ways to manage it. The more educated they are more prepared they will be to prepare for a future that includes a wide range of wellness and health activities.