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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor caused by asbestos exposure is a serious illness. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural cancer, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal region. Symptoms may mimic symptoms of less serious illnesses and can take 10 – 50 years before they appear. Symptoms include shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and chest pain. Risk Factors Mesothelioma is a form of asbestos that develops when asbestos fibers are introduced into 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 that surrounds the heart) or in the pericardium. The cancer may take up to 50 years to manifest symptoms. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like symptoms. Mesothelioma is more common in older people and is more common in males than females. Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres, was used as a building material, for example, in ceilings and walls. It is abrasive to heat and fire. It was also extensively used in the manufacture of goods like pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos was a common ingredient such as construction, mining or shipbuilding are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who only been exposed to asbestos for a short period of time like family members who brought home asbestos-covered clothing or skin are at risk. A small portion of mesothelioma patients are linked to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic change increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos. The patient's age is also an important risk factor. Mesothelioma is most common among those who are over 45 years old, and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years old or older. This is largely due to the long latency time associated with asbestos exposure, but it may also be because the disease tends to affect older people who have had more prolonged and heavy exposure to asbestos-related material. Mesothelioma is more prevalent among white males than females or people of any other race. This is because historically more white males have been employed in occupations that put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. In addition, mesothelioma is most often seen in those who were exposed to asbestos before more stringent regulations were put in place in the 1980s. Symptoms Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by asbestos, occurs in the protective linings of several organs. The cancerous tumors can cause extreme pain and damage the tissue. The malignancy can spread to other parts through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. It could take up to 50 years following exposure to asbestos before showing symptoms. This delay in time makes it difficult to identify mesothelioma early. Additionally, the symptoms may be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses. In most cases, the malignant tumors start in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma may also form in the linings surrounding the abdomen and heart. In rare instances the disease can affect the testes' lining or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is a group of minerals that form long, thin fibers. These fibers are so strong that they can't be broken by chemicals, water or bacteria. These materials were used widely in various household and construction products for a long time before scientists realized how dangerous they were for health. Most mesothelioma cases were caused by exposure to asbestos at workplace or at home. The majority of patients exposed were employed in the US Navy, Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Veterans make up approximately 30 percent of all cases. When mesothelioma develops, doctors can identify it by performing medical tests and imaging scans. 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 determine the mesothelioma's stage and type which can affect the prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15% of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less aggressive and usually has the highest rate of survival. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in particular in its early stages. Patients should consult their primary care physician if they experience any symptoms such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing using an stethoscope, and record their medical history and work. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is crucial for diagnosing mesothelioma. Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can confirm a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. Cancer can develop in the lung of a patient from other body parts such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos sufferers are at risk of lung diseases, such as pneumonia, and pleural mesothelioma symptoms may be confused with other respiratory ailments. Mesothelioma can be detected with blood tests as well as imaging tests and biopsies. These tests will help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is most typically in the lungs, but can also be in the stomach or testicles. The tests will help doctors determine the extent to which the cancer has spread within the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal signs of mesothelioma. These include calcium deposits (also called plaque) in the pleura and an accumulation between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether a person's lungs are more pronounced on one side than on the other. In many instances, a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing small amounts of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma. Certain patients may require additional tests, for example FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), which allows doctors to see how the tumor is affecting blood supply to the lungs. mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to examine and collect lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest; or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to study the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is currently being treated by doctors. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer must carefully consider their options to find the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Buena Park asbestos attorney don't show up until a few years after exposure to asbestos. As a result, it's important for people who have worked around asbestos to be examined for any unusual symptoms. A doctor will conduct an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma-related risk factors, for example, how long and how often an individual was exposed to asbestos. A doctor will also perform an exam to check for mesothelioma-related symptoms like an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium and the location of those cells. Epithelioid-like mesothelioma comprises 60 percent to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid, which make up between 10% and 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are a myriad of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease. In certain cases, mesothelioma may be treatable by radiation or chemotherapy. In these treatments, doctors employ powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to destroy tumors. This lowers the risk of mesothelioma recurring. Other types of mesothelioma can be treated with surgery that removes a portion of the lining of the affected organ. This can also relieve symptoms like breathing problems. A person suffering from asbestosis pleural can undergo a procedure referred to as VATS. This involves placing a camera in the lungs and removing a part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can ease breathlessness caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lung. However, it will not cure mesothelioma. Other options for treatment include support and management of pain. It is crucial for those with mesothelioma to get as much information as they can about the disease and ways to manage it. The more informed they are more prepared they will be to plan for a future that includes a variety of wellness and health activities.