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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers causes mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can lead to peritoneal mesothelioma. Symptoms may mimic symptoms of less serious illnesses. They can take 10 – 50 years before they appear. The symptoms could include abdominal pain, chest pain and breathlessness. Risk Factors Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the linings of the chest cavity or the lungs. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop 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 most often affects older people, and it is more prevalent in males than women. The main risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral composed of tiny fibres which were employed in construction materials, including walls and ceilings, because of its resistance fire and heat. It was also used extensively in the manufacture of goods like insulations, pipes, shingles, and cement. Mesothelioma is a serious disease for those who work in industries that use asbestos, like 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 portion of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among people who have been exposed asbestos. The patient's age is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma is most common among people older than 45 years and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years or older. This is largely due to the lengthy latency period that is associated with asbestos exposure but it could be due to the fact that the condition tends to impact older those who have had a more prolonged and heavy 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 have worked in occupations which expose them to greater risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma typically affects those who were exposed asbestos prior to the 1980s, when better regulations were in place. Symptoms Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, occurs in the linings that protect various organs. The cancerous tumors which form in the tissue can damage them and cause severe pain. The malignancy could be spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. It can take up to 50 years following exposure to asbestos before showing symptoms. The latency period can make it difficult to diagnose the disease early, and symptoms can be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses. In the majority of cases, malignant tumors begin in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). But mesothelioma can also grow in the linings of the abdomen and the heart. In rare instances it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes. Asbestos is a group of minerals that form long thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they are unable to be broken by chemicals, water or bacteria. These materials were used widely in various construction and household products for a long time before researchers realized how harmful they were to people's health. Most mesothelioma cases were caused due to exposure to asbestos at work or home. The majority of patients exposed were employed by the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. It is more common in men than women, and veterans make up around 30 percent of mesothelioma cases. When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can detect it with medical tests and imaging scans. This includes X-rays CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor could also collect a sample of the tissue and send it to a lab for testing. The results can help doctors determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease, which affects the prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15% of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is more difficult to detect and has a lower prognosis. Diagnosis It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma in particular in its early stages. The first step is for patients to visit their primary physician with any signs, like coughing or chest pains. The doctor will use a stethoscope listen to the patient breathing and record their health and work history. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is crucial in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. Because mesothelioma's symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, doctors need to exclude other conditions prior to making a diagnosis. Cancer can spread to the lung of a patient from other parts of the body such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are very common among asbestos-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma can also be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses. Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests will aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is most commonly in the lungs but can also be in the stomach or the testicles. The tests can help doctors determine how far cancer has spread within the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal signs of mesothelioma, such as calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the chest wall and the lungs. These tests can also determine whether a person's lungs are more prominent on one side or the other. In many cases, a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing small quantities of tissue and testing them in the laboratory for mesothelioma. Some patients might require additional tests, like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to look at the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest and sample them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) using sound waves to study the lungs and the mesothelium. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is being treated by doctors. Therefore patients diagnosed with cancer must consider their options carefully and determine the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the lungs and abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). Symptoms usually do not appear for several decades following exposure to asbestos. As a result, it's crucial for those who have been exposed to asbestos to get checked out if they develop any strange symptoms. A doctor will review your medical history in order to determine if you have mesothelioma risks. This includes how long and how often you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also perform an examination to find symptoms of mesothelioma for example, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium and where those cells are located. largo asbestos attorney for 60 percent to 80% mesothelioma. The other types of mesothelioma are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid, which both represent about 10% to 15% of mesothelioma patients. There are a myriad of treatment options available for people suffering from mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type and stage of the mesothelioma. In certain instances, mesothelioma can be treated through radiation or chemotherapy. In these procedures, doctors inject powerful cancer-fighting drugs or use special equipment to kill tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma returning. Other types of mesothelioma may be treated surgically which involves the removal of parts of the tissues of the organ that are affected. This can also ease symptoms such as breathing difficulties. If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura, their doctor may perform a procedure called VATS, which involves inserting a camera into the lungs to eliminate part of the pleura and lungs. This can improve breathing problems caused by the build-up of fluid in the lungs, but is not a cure for the disease. Other treatment options may include pain management and support services. It is crucial for those who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather as much information as they can about the disease and ways to deal with it. The more educated they are, the better they can plan for a future that includes a variety of health and wellness activities.