Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural cancer and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area.
Symptoms can appear within 10 to 50 years of the initial diagnosis. The symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and breathlessness.
Risk Factors
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or the lungs. Mesothelioma can also develop in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or the pericardium. It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to develop and manifest symptoms that are often confused with flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most common in people over the age of 50 and is more frequent in males than females.
The biggest risk factor for mesothelioma involves exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres, was employed in the construction of buildings, such as in ceilings and walls. It is impervious to heat and fire. It was also extensively used in the manufacture of goods like pipes, insulations, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is a serious disease for those working in industries that employ asbestos, for example mining, shipbuilding, or construction. However even those who experienced secondary exposure like family members who brought home asbestos on their clothes and skin, are at risk.
A small percentage of mesothelioma patients are linked to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic change increases the chance of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos.
The age of the patient is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma is most often found in those over 45 and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is due in part to the long latency period due to asbestos exposure, however, it could be due to the fact that the disease is more prevalent in older those who have had a more prolonged and heavy exposure to asbestos-related material.
Mesothelioma is more prevalent among white males than in women or people of any other racial group. This is due to the fact that historically more white males worked in jobs that put them at greater risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma was most often seen in those who were exposed to asbestos before better regulations were put in during the 1980s.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, occurs in the protective linings of various organs. The cancerous tumors that form within the tissue may cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy could be spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. It can take up to 50 years after asbestos exposure before showing symptoms. The time of latency can make it difficult to detect the disease early, and symptoms may be misinterpreted as signs of other diseases.
In the majority of cases, malignant tumors start in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). parma asbestos law firm can also develop in the linings around the abdomen and 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 forms long, thin fibers. These fibers are strong enough that they are unable to be broken down by water, chemicals or bacteria. They were used extensively in a variety of construction and household products before scientists realised the dangers they posed to the lives of people.
The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused due to exposure to asbestos at work or home. The majority of patients exposed were employed by the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. It is more prevalent among males than females and veterans account for around 30% of mesothelioma cases.
When mesothelioma develops doctors can spot it with imaging scans and medical tests. These include X-rays CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a lab for testing.
The results can help doctors determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease which affects the prognosis and treatment options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and between 10 and 15 percent are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is usually less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma can be more difficult to identify and has a less favorable prognosis.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in particular in its early stages. Patients should first consult 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 breathing and record their medical history and work history. This includes any asbestos exposure information, which is crucial in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis.
Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other conditions, doctors need to exclude other conditions prior to confirming a diagnosis. For instance, the cancer often spreads to a person's lungs from a different part of the body, like their chest wall or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common among asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma could also be mistaken for other respiratory diseases.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests, imaging tests and biopsies. These tests will help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is most often found in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or the testicles. The tests will also help doctors find out how much of the cancer is growing throughout the body.
A CT scan or MRI can reveal mesothelioma-related signs including calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall. These tests can also determine whether a person's lungs are more prominent on one side than on the other.
In many instances a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the lab for mesothelioma.
Some patients may require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which allows doctors to see how the tumor is affecting the blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which allows doctors to look at and sample lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest; or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), which uses sound waves to study mesothelium and the lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is being treated by doctors. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer must be aware of their options and determine the best treatment for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma may affect the linings of the lungs and abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms generally don't show up until a few decades after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, it's crucial for those who have had to work with asbestos to get checked out if they develop any strange symptoms.
A doctor will look over your medical history in order to determine if you're at mesothelioma risks. This includes how long and intensely you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an exam to look for signs of mesothelioma, for example, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. The type of cells found in the mesothelium, and the locations of those cells are used to categorize mesothelioma. The most frequent mesothelioma type is epithelioid. It makes up to 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. The other types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma that both make up around 10 to 15% of mesothelioma patients.
There are many treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment you choose depends on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease.
In certain instances, mesothelioma can be treatable with chemotherapy or radiation. During these treatments doctors use powerful cancer-fighting medications or special equipment to eliminate tumors. This decreases the likelihood of mesothelioma recurring.
Other mesothelioma types can be treated through surgery, which removes parts of the tissue lining of the organ affected. It can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing problems.
A person with asbestosis pleural may undergo a procedure called VATS. This involves inserting a camera into lung and then removing a piece of the lung and pleura. This procedure can help with breathing problems due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. However, it will not cure mesothelioma.
Other options for treatment include support and management of pain. It is crucial that those who suffer from mesothelioma have as much information about the disease as possible and how to deal with it. The more they know the more equipped they are to plan for a healthy and happy future.