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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor caused by asbestos exposure is a serious disease. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural cancer, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area. Symptoms may mimic symptoms of less serious illnesses and can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to show. The symptoms could include abdominal pain, chest pain and a shortness of breath. Risk Factors Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma. The most well-known mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the chest cavity's lining and the lungs. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum, or the heart's membrane (pericardium). The cancer may take up to 50 years to develop and manifest symptoms. These symptoms are frequently misinterpreted as flu-like symptoms. Mesothelioma is more common in older people and more common in males than females. Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres that were used in construction materials, including walls and ceilings, because of its resistance to heat and fire. It was also used in the manufacture of products like pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos was prevalent such as shipbuilding, mining, or construction, are at high risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have only had secondary exposure to asbestos such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk. A small percentage of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a genetic mutation known as BAP1. This genetic change increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among people who have been exposed asbestos. Age is another important risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most often found in those who are over 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is largely due to the long latency time 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 more extensive and prolonged exposure to asbestos-related material. Mesothelioma is more prevalent among white males than women or those belonging to any other race. This is due to the fact that historically, more white males worked in occupations which put them at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than other groups. In addition, mesothelioma is typically seen in people who were exposed to asbestos before better regulations were put into place in the 1980s. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that develops in the protective linings of several body organs. The cancerous tumors that form within the tissue may cause irreparable damage and pain. The malignancy could spread to other parts through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to those of other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. They can take up to 50 years following exposure to asbestos before showing symptoms. The latency period can make it difficult to detect the disease early and symptoms could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses. In most cases, the malignant tumors begin in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma can also develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and the heart. In rare cases the disease may affect the testes' lining or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is a class of minerals that make long, thin fibers. These fibers are so strong that they aren't broken by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were used extensively in a range of construction and household products before scientists discovered 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 who were exposed were employed in the US Navy, air force, shipbuilding or construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Veterans account for around 30 percent of all cases. Imaging scans and medical tests can aid doctors in identifying mesothelioma. This includes X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory to be tested. The results will help doctors determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease, which influences 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 usually less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma, especially at an early stage. The first step is to visit their primary care doctor with any signs, like chest pains or coughing. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing with a stethoscope and take down their health history and work. This includes any history of asbestos exposure, which is important in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other conditions, doctors need to exclude other conditions prior to making the diagnosis. Cancer can develop in the lung tissue of a patient through other parts of the body such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common in asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma could also be mistaken for other respiratory diseases. Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is often found in the lungs, but could also be found in the stomach or the testicles. The tests can help doctors determine how far the cancer has spread within the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma-related signs. These include calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura as well as a buildup between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether a patient has more lung capacity on one side or the other. In many cases, a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing the tissue in a small amount and analyzing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cell. Certain patients may require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which helps doctors understand how the tumor is affecting blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to examine and collect lymph nodes in the center of the chest and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which makes use of sound waves to study the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should be aware of their options and find the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma may affect the lung linings or abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms usually don't show up until a few decades after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, it is important for those who have worked around asbestos to get checked out when they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will collect an medical history to look for mesothelioma-related risk factors, including how long and how intensely the patient was exposed to asbestos. A doctor can also perform an exam to check for mesothelioma signs, such as fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. The type of cells in the mesothelium and the location of those cells, are used to identify mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is epithelioid, and accounts for up between 60 and the majority of mesothelioma patients. Other mesothelioma types are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid that both account for approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma patients. There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment is based on the stage and type of mesothelioma. In some cases, mesothelioma is treatable with chemotherapy or radiation. In these treatments, doctors administer powerful chemotherapy medications or use special equipment to destroy tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma coming back. Other mesothelioma types can be treated through surgery that removes a portion of the lining of the affected organ. This can also help relieve symptoms such as breathing problems. A person suffering from asbestosis pleural can undergo a procedure called VATS. This involves inserting a camera into the lung and then removing a portion of the lung and pleura. oklahoma city asbestos attorneys can improve breathlessness caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, however it does not cure the condition. Other options for treatment include support services or pain management. It is vital that people suffering from mesothelioma receive as much knowledge about the disease as they can, and how to deal with it. The more they are aware of, the better equipped they are to plan for the best possible and happy future.