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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a tumor that can be cancerous that is caused by asbestos exposure is a serious condition. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area. Symptoms may mimic symptoms of less serious illnesses and can take 10 – 50 years before they appear. The symptoms could include abdominal pain, chest pain and shortness of breathe. Risk Factors Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or the lungs. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum or the heart's membrane (pericardium). The cancer can take up to 50 years to manifest symptoms. These symptoms are frequently mistaken for flu like illnesses. Mesothelioma most often affects older people and is more prevalent in males than women. Exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of tiny fibres which were employed in building materials, such as ceilings and walls, due to its resistance to fire and heat. It was also extensively used in the production of products like pipes, insulations, shingles, and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos was prevalent, such as construction, mining or shipbuilding, are at high risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have only had a second exposure to asbestos, such as family who brought home asbestos-covered clothing or skin are at risk. A small percentage (less than 5%) of mesothelioma can be traced to a mutation in the BAP1 gene. This genetic mutation increases the risk of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos. The patient's age is also an important risk factor. Mesothelioma is most common in those who are over 45 years old and two thirds of those diagnosed with the disease are 65 years old or older. This is due to the lengthy time between exposure to asbestos. However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease due to the prolonged exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in white males than in women or people of any other racial group. This is due to the fact that historically more white men worked in jobs that put them at a higher risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. In addition, mesothelioma is usually seen in people who were exposed to asbestos before better 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 that form in the tissue could cause irreparable damage and pain. The malignancy can be spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. They often take 10 – 50 years to show up after exposure to asbestos. The time of latency can make it difficult to diagnose the disease early and symptoms may be misinterpreted as other conditions. The majority of malignant tumors start in the lungs or chest cavity (pleura). But mesothelioma can also grow in the tissues of the abdomen and the heart. In rare cases it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes. Asbestos is made up of a grouping of minerals that form long, thin fibers. These fibers are so tough that they are unable to be broken down by chemicals and water, or by bacteria. They were extensively used in various household and construction materials for a long time before scientists realized the dangers they pose to health. The majority of mesothelioma cases were triggered by exposure to asbestos at work or home. The majority of patients who were exposed worked for the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Veterans make up approximately 30% of all cases. Imaging scans and medical tests can aid doctors in identifying mesothelioma. These include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor could also collect a sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory to be tested. The results will allow doctors to determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease, which affects the prognosis and treatment options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid and between 10% and 15% are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma can be more difficult to diagnose and has a lower prognosis. Diagnosis It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in particular at an early stage. Patients should consult their primary care physician if they notice any signs such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the patient's breathing and record their health and work history. This includes any history of asbestos exposure, which is essential for diagnosing mesothelioma. Since vacaville asbestos lawsuit of other conditions, doctors need to rule out other conditions before making a diagnosis. For instance, the cancer often spreads to a person's lungs from a different part of their body, like their chest wall or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, such as pneumonia, are common in asbestos sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma can be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses. Imaging tests, blood tests and biopsy can all be used to diagnose mesothelioma. These tests can aid doctors in identifying the cancerous region, which is usually in the lungs but can also be in the stomach or in the testicles. The tests will help doctors determine how far the cancer has spread throughout the body. A CT scan or MRI could reveal signs of mesothelioma. These include calcium deposits (also called plaque) in the pleura, and an accumulation between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also determine whether the lungs of a person are more on one side than the other. In many instances, a biopsy is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing a small amount of tissue and testing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cells. Some patients may require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which allows doctors to see how the tumor is affecting blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which permits doctors to look at and sample lymph nodes that are located in the center of the chest; or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), which uses sound waves to examine the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is currently being treated by doctors. Therefore patients diagnosed with cancer must weigh their options carefully to determine the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Symptoms usually do not appear for several decades following exposure to asbestos. It is crucial that those who have been exposed to asbestos be examined if they exhibit unusual symptoms. A doctor will take an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma-related risk factors, including the length of time and intensity someone was exposed to asbestos. A doctor can also perform an examination to look for mesothelioma-related symptoms like an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is categorized 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 to 60% to the majority of mesothelioma patients. The other types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma which represent approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma patients. There are many treatment options for mesothelioma. The kind of treatment is contingent on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease. In certain cases, mesothelioma is treated using radiation or chemotherapy. In these procedures, doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting medications or use special equipment to eliminate tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma returning. Other forms of mesothelioma are treated through surgery that eliminates a part of the lining from the affected organ. This can also help relieve symptoms like breathing difficulties. If a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma pleural, their doctor may perform a procedure called VATS, that involves the use of a camera into the lungs in order to remove part of the lung and pleura. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lung. However, it will not cure mesothelioma. Other options for treatment include pain management and support services. It is crucial that those with mesothelioma get as much information on the disease as they can, and how to deal with it. The more knowledgeable they are more prepared they will be to plan for a future that includes a variety of wellness and health activities.