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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma which is a cancerous tumor caused by asbestos exposure, is a serious illness. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area. These symptoms can be a sign of less serious illnesses and can take 10 – 50 years to show. Symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and abdominal distress. Risk Factors Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or the lungs. Mesothelioma can also form in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or in the pericardium. It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to grow and manifest symptoms that are often mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma typically affects older people and is more common in men than women. The main risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of tiny fibres that were used in construction materials, including walls and ceilings, due to its resistance to heat and fire. It was also extensively employed in the production of goods like pipes insulation, shingles, insulation and cement. Mesothelioma is an extremely serious illness for those working in industries that use asbestos, such as shipbuilding, mining, or construction. However, even those who only had a secondary exposure to asbestos like relatives who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothes and skin, are at risk. A small percentage of mesothelioma cases are linked to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos. Age is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most common among those who are older than 45 years and two thirds of those diagnosed with it are 65 years or older. This is due to the lengthy latency associated with asbestos exposure. 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 occupations which put them at greater risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma is most often seen in those who were exposed to asbestos prior to when more stringent regulations were put in during the 1980s. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the protective linings around various organs in the body. The cancerous tumors can cause extreme pain and can damage the tissues. The malignancy could expand to other areas through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. They can take up to 50 years after asbestos exposure before showing symptoms. This latency period makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms can be misinterpreted as other diseases. The majority of malignant tumors start in the lungs or chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma may also form in the linings surrounding the abdomen and the heart. In charleston asbestos attorney may affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is made up of a grouping of minerals which form long, thin fibres. The fibers are so strong that they can't be broken by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were commonly used in a variety construction and household products before scientists realized how harmful they were to the lives of people. The majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to the material 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. It is more common in males than females and veterans comprise about 30 percent of mesothelioma patients. When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can detect it by performing imaging scans and medical tests. This includes X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also send a tissue sample to a laboratory for testing. 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 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 harder to detect and has a less favorable prognosis. Diagnosis It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma, particularly in its early stages. Patients should first visit their primary care physician if they are experiencing any symptoms such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing through an stethoscope, and record their health history and work. This includes any history of asbestos exposure, which is crucial in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can confirm the diagnosis, as mesothelioma signs are like those of other diseases. Cancer can spread to the lungs of a patient from other parts of the body such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, such as pneumonia, are very common among asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma could be mistaken for other respiratory diseases. 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 commonly in the lungs but can also be in the stomach or testicles. The tests will help doctors determine how far the cancer has spread in the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma signs, 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 reveal whether a person's lungs are more prominent on one side or the other. In many instances, a biopsy is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking some of the tissue and testing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cell. Some patients might require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to look at the lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest, and to sample them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS), using sound waves to examine the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare condition and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should be aware of their options and determine the best treatment option for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the lungs, abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms usually don't show up for several decades after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, it's important for people who have been exposed to asbestos to have their health checked if they develop any strange symptoms. A doctor will take an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma risk factors, for example, how long and how often the patient was exposed to asbestos. A doctor can also perform an examination to look for signs of mesothelioma such as the accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium and where those cells are located. The most common mesothelioma type is epithelioid. It makes up 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. The other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma that both account for approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are a variety of treatments available to people with mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease. In certain instances, mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. When treating mesothelioma, doctors utilize powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to kill tumors. This decreases the likelihood of mesothelioma coming back. Other mesothelioma types are treated through surgery that eliminates a part of the lining from the affected organ. This can also ease breathing difficulties and other symptoms. If a person has mesothelioma of the pleura the doctor can perform the procedure known as VATS, which involves inserting a camera into the lungs to eliminate part of the pleura and lungs. This procedure can help improve breathing problems caused by the build-up of fluid in the lungs, however it does not cure the disease. Other treatment options include pain management or support services. It is crucial for those who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather as much information as possible about the disease and ways to cope with it. The more they are aware of the more equipped they will be to plan for a the best possible and happy future.