Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma pleural and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal mesothelioma.
Symptoms can appear 10 to 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and abdominal distress.
Risk Factors
Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma that is found in the lining of the chest cavity and the lungs. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum, or the heart's membrane (pericardium). It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to develop and manifest symptoms, which can often be mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma typically affects older people and is more prevalent in males than women.
The main risk factor for mesothelioma involves exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres, was employed as a building material, like in walls and ceilings. It is abrasive to fire and heat. It was also used in the manufacture of goods like pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos was prevalent like shipbuilding, mining, or construction are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who only had secondary exposure to asbestos such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin, are at risk.
A small percentage (less than 5percent) of mesothelioma is due to a mutation in the gene BAP1. This genetic change can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed asbestos.
The age of the patient is also a risk factor. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who are over 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are aged 65 or older. This is due to the lengthy latency associated with asbestos exposure. However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the long exposure.
White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than anyone else of any race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically, more white men have been employed in occupations which expose them to greater risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed asbestos before the 1980s, a time when more stringent regulations were in place.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, develops in the protective linings of many organs. The cancerous tumors can cause severe pain and can damage the tissues. The malignancy could be spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. It usually takes between 10 and 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. The latency period can make it difficult to identify the disease early and symptoms may be misinterpreted as signs of other diseases.
The majority of malignant tumors start in the lungs or chest cavity (pleura). But mesothelioma can also grow in the tissues of the heart and abdomen. In rare instances the disease may affect the lining of the testes or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).
Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that forms long, thin fibres. These fibers are so durable that they are unable to be broken down by chemical and water, or by bacteria. They were commonly used in a variety of construction and household products before scientists discovered how harmful they were to the lives of people.
Most mesothelioma cases were caused by exposure to asbestos either at workplace or at home. The majority of patients exposed were employed by the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. It is more prevalent in men than women and veterans account for around 30 percent of mesothelioma patients.
When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can detect it with imaging scans and medical tests. These include X rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a lab for testing.
The results will help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which affects the prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15 percent of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancers are less aggressive and usually has the highest survival rate. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is more difficult to treat.
mobile asbestos attorney is a difficult cancer to detect especially in its initial stages. The first step is for patients to see their primary physician with any signs, like coughing or chest pains. The doctor will listen to the patient's breathing through an stethoscope, and record their work and health history. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is essential in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis.
Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can make the diagnosis, as mesothelioma signs are similar to other diseases. Cancer can develop in the lung of a patient from other body parts like the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, like pneumonia, are common among asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma could be confused with other respiratory diseases.
Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy are all used to diagnose mesothelioma. These tests will aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is commonly in the lungs but can also be in the stomach or testicles. The tests will assist doctors determine how far the cancer has spread in the body.
A CT scan or MRI can reveal mesothelioma-related signs including calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and an accumulation of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether a person has more lung capacity on one side or the other.
In many cases, a biopsied is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking the tissue in a small amount and analyzing it in a laboratory for mesothelioma cells.
Some patients may require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which can help doctors see how the tumor is affecting the blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to look at and sample lymph nodes in the center of the chest; or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to study the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is currently being treated by doctors. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should carefully consider their options to determine the best treatment for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma may affect the lung linings and abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms typically do not appear until several years after exposure to asbestos. It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos should be examined if they exhibit any strange symptoms.
A doctor will go over your medical history in order to determine if you're at mesothelioma risk. This includes how long and intensely you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an examination to detect mesothelioma-related signs, for example, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. The type of cells found in mesothelium, as well as the locations of those cells are used to identify mesothelioma. The most popular mesothelioma type is epithelioid, which makes up 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma which represent between 10% and 15% of mesothelioma cases.
There are a variety of treatments available to people suffering from mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease.
In certain cases, mesothelioma may be treated with radiation or chemotherapy. During these treatments doctors use powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to destroy tumors. This reduces the chance 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 symptoms like breathing problems.
If a person has mesothelioma of the pleura and their doctor recommends VATS, a procedure which involves inserting a camera into the lungs to remove part of the pleura and lung. This can improve the breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, however it is not a cure for the disease.
Other treatment options may include support and management of pain. It is important for people with mesothelioma to get as much information as possible about the disease and how to cope with it. The more they know the more prepared they will be to plan for a an enjoyable and healthy future.