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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural cancer and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal cancer. Symptoms can appear 10 to 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms can include chest pain, abdominal distress and a shortness of breath. Risk Factors Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibres get into the body. The most commonly encountered mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the chest cavity and the lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum, or the membrane around the heart (pericardium). The cancer may take up to 50 years to develop before it manifests symptoms. These symptoms are frequently mistaken for flu like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most common in people over the age of 50 and is more prevalent in males than females. Exposure to asbestos is the biggest risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres, was employed as a building material like in ceilings and walls. It is resistant to fire and heat. It was also used extensively in the production of products such as pipes, insulations shingles, and cement. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for those who work in industries that employ asbestos, such as mining, shipbuilding or construction. Even those who have had a second exposure to asbestos, such as family who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk. A small proportion of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the chance of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos. The patient's age is also an important risk factor. Mesothelioma typically affects those who are over 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is due to the prolonged time between exposure to asbestos. However, it could also be that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the long exposure. White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma more than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically more white males worked in jobs that put them at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed to asbestos before the 1980s, a time when more strict regulations were in place. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, develops in the linings that protect various organs. The cancerous tumors which form in the tissue could cause irreparable damage and pain. The malignancy may expand to other areas through the lymphatic or bloodstream system. The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. They typically take between 10 and 50 years to show up after exposure to asbestos. This delay in time makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms could be mistaken for other conditions. In the majority of cases, malignant tumors start in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). But mesothelioma can also form in the tissues surrounding the heart and abdomen. In rare cases the disease can affect the lining of the testes or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that form long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they cannot be broken down by chemicals and water, or by bacteria. They were widely used in various household and construction products for a long time before researchers realized how harmful they were to health. The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos at work or at home. hampton asbestos lawyer of patients who were exposed worked for the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Veterans comprise approximately 30 percent of all cases. Medical tests and imaging scans can aid in diagnosing mesothelioma. These include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor could also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for testing. The results can help doctors determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease which can affect the prognosis as well as treatment options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid and between 10% and 15 percent are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is more difficult to diagnose and has a poorer prognosis. Diagnosis It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma, particularly in its early stages. The first step is to visit their primary physician with any symptoms, like coughing or chest pains. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing using the stethoscope and document their medical history and work. This includes any asbestos exposure history, which is crucial to determine mesothelioma's presence. Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can make the diagnosis, as mesothelioma signs are similar to those of other diseases. Cancer can develop in the lung tissue of a patient through other organs such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, like pneumonia, are common in asbestos sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma can be confused with other respiratory illnesses. Imaging tests, blood tests and biopsy can all be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can help doctors identify the cancerous area, which is usually in the lungs but can also be in the stomach or in the testicles. The tests will also help doctors determine how much of the cancer is growing throughout the body. A CT scan or MRI can reveal signs of mesothelioma including calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and the accumulation 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 needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the laboratory for mesothelioma. Some patients may need additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which can help doctors see how the tumor is affecting lungs' blood supply; mediastinoscopy, which permits doctors to examine and collect lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to study the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is currently being treated by medical professionals. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should carefully consider their options to determine the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Symptoms usually do not appear for several decades after exposure to asbestos. As a result, it's important for people who have worked around asbestos to be examined when they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will review your medical history to determine if you have mesothelioma risk. This is based on how long and how frequently you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an examination to detect symptoms of mesothelioma such as fluid build-up in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium and the location of those cells. The most popular type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. It makes up 60% to 80% of mesothelioma cases. Other types of mesothelioma include sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic that make up between 10% and 15% of all mesothelioma cases. There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment is dependent on the stage and type of the mesothelioma. In some instances, mesothelioma is treated using chemotherapy or radiation. When treating mesothelioma, doctors utilize powerful cancer-fighting medications or special equipment to eliminate tumors. This decreases the likelihood of mesothelioma returning. Other mesothelioma types can be treated with surgery, which removes parts of the tissues of the organ that are affected. This can also ease symptoms such as breathing problems. If a person has pleural mesothelioma, their doctor may perform a procedure called VATS, that involves the use of a camera into the lungs to eliminate part of the pleura and lungs. This procedure can ease breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lungs. However, it can not treat mesothelioma. Other options for treatment include support and pain management. It is crucial that those who suffer from mesothelioma have as much information about the disease as they can, and how to deal with it. The more they are aware of the more prepared they are to plan a an enjoyable and healthy future.