Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can lead to mesothelioma of the peritoneal region.
Symptoms can appear between 10 and 50 years after the initial diagnosis. The symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and shortness of breathe.
Risk Factors
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibres enter the body. The most common mesothelioma type is mesothelioma that is found in the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. Mesothelioma may also grow in the peritoneum (the membrane surrounding the heart) or the pericardium. The cancer can take up to 50 years to develop before it manifests symptoms. The symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like symptoms. Mesothelioma is most common in people over the age of 50 and is more frequent in males than females.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres, was used as a building material, such as in walls and ceilings. It is abrasive to heat and fire. It was also extensively used in the manufacture of products like pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was prevalent like mining, construction or shipbuilding, are at high risk of developing mesothelioma. However even those who had secondary exposure such as relatives who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothes and skin, are at risk.
A small proportion (less than five percent) of mesothelioma is linked to a mutation in the gene BAP1. This genetic change can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos.
Age is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those over 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is due in part to the lengthy latency period that is associated with asbestos exposure but it could be due to the fact that the condition tends to affect older people who have had longer-term and more intense exposure to the cancer-causing substance.
White males are more likely develop mesothelioma more than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically, more white men worked in occupations that put them at a greater risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed asbestos before the 1980s, when better regulations were in place.
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 can expand to other areas through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to other diseases like pneumonia or influenza. It can take up to 50 years following asbestos exposure before they show symptoms. The latency period can make it difficult to diagnose the disease early and symptoms may be misinterpreted as signs of other diseases.
In the majority of cases, malignant tumors begin in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma may also form in the linings surrounding the abdomen and heart. In rare instances, it can affect the lining around the heart or the testes.
Asbestos is minerals in a grouping which form long, thin fibers. These fibers are so tough that they are unable to 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 realized how hazardous they were to the lives of people.
The majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to the substance in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those exposed were employed in the US Navy or the air force, the shipbuilding or construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Veterans make up approximately 30% of all cases.
When mesothelioma is diagnosed, doctors can identify it with medical tests and imaging scans. These include X-rays CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a lab to be tested.
The results can help doctors determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease which can affect the 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 usually less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is more difficult to detect and has a less favorable prognosis.
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma, particularly in its early stages. Patients should consult their primary care physician when they are experiencing any symptoms like chest pain or coughing. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing through a stethoscope and take down their work and health history. This includes any asbestos exposure information, which is crucial in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis.
Because mesothelioma's symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, doctors must be able to rule out other conditions prior to concluding the diagnosis. Cancer can infect the lung of a patient from other body parts like the abdomen or chest. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common among asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma may be mistaken for other respiratory diseases.
Mesothelioma can be detected with blood tests, imaging tests and biopsies. These tests will aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is typically in the lungs, but could also be found in the stomach or the testicles. The tests will assist doctors determine how far cancer has spread in the body.
suffolk asbestos attorneys or MRI could reveal the signs of mesothelioma including calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and an accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether the lungs of a person are more on one side than the other.
In many cases biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking the tissue in a small amount and analyzing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cell.
Some patients may need additional tests, like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which can help doctors see how the tumor is affecting blood supply to the lungs. mediastinoscopy, which allows doctors to examine and collect lymph nodes in the center of the chest as well as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which makes use of sound waves to examine the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is still being treated by doctors. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer must carefully weigh their options to find the best treatment for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the lungs or abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms are not usually evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, it is important for those who have been exposed to asbestos to get checked out if they develop any strange symptoms.
A doctor will conduct an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma risk factors such as the length of time and intensity the patient was exposed to asbestos. A doctor may also conduct an exam to check for mesothelioma-related symptoms like an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is categorized by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium, and where those cells are located. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common type of% to 80% mesothelioma. The other types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma which represent about 10% to 15% of mesothelioma cases.
There are a myriad of treatments available to people suffering from mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease.
In certain cases, mesothelioma may be treated with radiation or chemotherapy. In these treatments doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting drugs or utilize special equipment to destroy cancerous cells and reduce the risk of mesothelioma recurring.
Other mesothelioma types are treated through surgery that removes a portion of the lining from the affected organ. This can also help relieve symptoms like breathing difficulties.
If a person has mesothelioma pleural the doctor can perform VATS, a procedure which involves inserting a camera into the lungs in order to remove part of the pleura and lungs. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. However, it does not treat mesothelioma.
Other treatment options include support or pain management. It is essential that patients with mesothelioma get as much knowledge about the disease as they can and how to deal with it. The more educated they are and the more they are able to plan for a future that includes a variety of health and wellness-related activities.