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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers causes mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal mesothelioma. The symptoms may manifest between 10 and 50 years after the initial diagnosis. The symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and abdominal distress. Risk Factors Mesothelioma is a form of asbestos that develops when asbestos fibres enter the body. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or 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. The symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like symptoms. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people and is more prevalent in men than women. Asbestos exposure is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a natural mineral composed of tiny fibres which were used in construction materials, including ceilings and walls because of its resistance to heat and fire. It was also extensively employed in the production of products like pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. Mesothelioma is a serious disease for people who work in industries that use asbestos, like mining, shipbuilding or construction. However, even those who only had secondary exposure such as family members who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothing and skin, are at risk. A small portion (less than five percent) of mesothelioma is linked to an alteration in the gene BAP1. This genetic change can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos. Age is another significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in people over 45 years old and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years old or older. This is partly due to the long latency time due to asbestos exposure, but it may be due to the fact that the disease tends to impact older people who have had more prolonged and heavy exposure to the cancer-causing substance. Mesothelioma is more prevalent among white males than females or people of any other racial group. This is due to the fact that historically, more white males have been employed in occupations which expose them to greater risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma typically affects those who were exposed to asbestos prior to the 1980s, when more strict regulations were in place. Symptoms Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, is found in the protective linings of several organs. The cancerous tumors which form within the tissue may cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy may spread to other parts through the lymphatic or bloodstream system. Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. It could take up to 50 years after asbestos exposure before showing symptoms. This latency period makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma early. Additionally, the symptoms may be misinterpreted as other diseases. In most cases, the malignant tumors begin in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma can also form in the linings surrounding 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 made up of minerals in a grouping that forms long, thin fibres. These fibers are so tough that they can't be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. These materials were used widely in various household and construction products for a long time before scientists realized how dangerous they were to health. clovis asbestos lawyer were caused due to exposure to asbestos at work or home. The majority of patients who were exposed were employed by the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Veterans account for about 30% of all cases. Imaging scans and medical tests can aid doctors in identifying mesothelioma. These include X rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also send a tissue sample to a lab for testing. The results will aid in determining the mesothelioma's stage and type, which impacts the prognosis and treatment options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid and between 10 and 15 percent are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less aggressive and typically has the highest rate of survival. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to diagnose and has a lower prognosis. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose especially in its initial stages. The first step is for patients to see their primary care physician if they experience any symptoms, such as chest pains or coughing. The doctor will use a stethoscope listen to the patient's breathing and take note of their medical history and work history. This includes any history of asbestos exposure, which is crucial for diagnosing mesothelioma. Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can make a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are like those of other diseases. Cancer can infect the lungs of a patient from other body parts like the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, like pneumonia, are very common among asbestos-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma may also be mistaken for other respiratory diseases. Blood tests, imaging tests and biopsy are all used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is commonly in the lungs but could also be found in the stomach or the testicles. The tests will assist doctors determine how far cancer has spread within the body. A CT scan or MRI can 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 show whether a person's lungs are more prominent on one side than on the other. In many cases a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking a small amount of tissue and analyzing it in a laboratory for mesothelioma cell. Some patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) which allows doctors to look at the lymph nodes that are located in the middle of the chest, and to sample them, or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to examine the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, is still being treated by doctors. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should carefully consider their options to find the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms typically do not show up until a few years after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, it's important for people who have been exposed to asbestos to be examined when they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will take a medical history to check for mesothelioma risk factors, including how long and how intensely the patient was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an examination to detect mesothelioma-related signs, for example, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is categorized by the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium, and the location of those cells. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common type of to 80% of mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma that both represent around 10 to 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are a myriad of treatment options available for people suffering from mesothelioma. The kind of treatment is contingent on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease. In certain cases, mesothelioma is treated using chemotherapy or radiation. During these treatments doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or utilize special equipment to kill cancerous tumors and decrease the chance of mesothelioma coming back. Other types of mesothelioma may be treated with surgery, which removes parts of the tissues of the organ that are affected. This may also help alleviate symptoms such as breathing problems. If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma pleural, their doctor may perform the procedure known as VATS, that involves the use of a camera into the lungs in order to remove part of the lung and pleura. This procedure can help improve the breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, however it is not a cure for the disease. Other options for treatment include support or pain management. It is vital that people who suffer from mesothelioma have as much information about the disease as they can, and how to deal with it. The more they know the more prepared they are to plan for a healthy and happy future.