Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers causes mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can lead to mesothelioma of the peritoneal region.
The symptoms can manifest 10 to 50 years after the initial diagnosis. The symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain, and chest pain.
Risk Factors
Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the chest cavity's lining and lungs. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum or the membrane around the heart (pericardium). The cancer can take up to 50 years to develop and manifest symptoms. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like symptoms. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in people over the age of 50 and is more frequent in males than females.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres that were employed in construction materials, like ceilings and walls, because of its resistance to fire and heat. It was also used extensively in the manufacturing of goods like insulations, pipes, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for people who work in industries that employ asbestos, like shipbuilding, mining or construction. However even those who had a secondary exposure to asbestos such as relatives who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothing and skin, are at risk.
A small proportion of mesothelioma cases are linked to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the risk of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed asbestos.
The age of the patient is also a risk factor. Mesothelioma is most common in those who are older than 45 and two-thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years or older. This is largely due to the long latency time due to asbestos exposure, but it could be due to the fact that the condition is more prevalent in older people who have had longer-term and more intense exposure to asbestos-related material.
White males are more likely develop mesothelioma more than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically more white males have been employed in occupations which put them at a higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma was typically seen in people who were exposed to asbestos prior to when better regulations were put into the 1980s.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos, occurs in the protective linings of several organs. The cancerous tumors that form in the tissue can cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy may spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system or the bloodstream.
Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. They often take 10 - 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. The latency period can make it difficult to detect the disease early, and symptoms can be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.
In the majority of cases, malignant tumors originate in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma is also able to develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and the heart. In rare instances it can affect the lining around the heart or the testes.
Asbestos is a class of minerals that create long thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they aren't broken by chemicals, water or bacteria. These materials were widely used in a variety of construction and household products before scientists realized how hazardous they were to people's lives.
Most mesothelioma patients were exposed to the substance in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those exposed were employed in the US Navy or the air force, the shipbuilding or construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Veterans account for about 30 percent of all cases.
Imaging scans and medical tests can aid in diagnosing mesothelioma. These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor could also take a sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for analysis.
The results can aid in determining the mesothelioma's stage and type which can affect prognosis as well as treatment options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid and between 10 and 15 percent are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma tends to be less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is more difficult to treat.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma, particularly at an early stage. Patients should first visit their primary physician if they are experiencing any symptoms 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 to determine if mesothelioma is present.
Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can confirm the diagnosis since mesothelioma symptoms are like those of other diseases. For example mesothelioma is a cancer that usually spreads to a person's lungs from other parts of their body, like their abdomen or chest wall. Asbestos-related lung diseases, such as pneumonia, are common in asbestos-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma may be confused with other respiratory illnesses.
Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy can all be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can aid doctors in identifying the cancerous area that is typically located in the lungs, but could also be in the testicles or stomach. These tests can also help doctors determine the extent of the cancer is growing in the body.
A CT scan or MRI could reveal the mesothelioma 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 reveal whether a person has more lung capacity on one side or the other.
In many instances, a biopsy is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking small quantities of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma.
Some patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) which allows doctors to examine the lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest, and to test them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS), using sound waves to examine the lungs and the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is currently being treated by doctors. Therefore, patients who are diagnosed with the cancer must weigh their options carefully to decide what treatment is best for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the lung linings or abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms generally don't appear until several years after exposure to asbestos. It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos be checked for unusual symptoms.
A doctor will take an medical history to look for mesothelioma risk factors for example, how long and how intensely an individual was exposed to asbestos. A doctor can also perform an exam to check for signs of mesothelioma such as an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium as well as the site where these cells are. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common type of% to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma that account for 10% to 15% of all mesothelioma cases.
There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment is based on the stage and type of mesothelioma.
In some cases, the mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. In these treatments doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting medications or use special equipment to eliminate cancerous cells and reduce the risk of mesothelioma returning.
Other forms of mesothelioma are treated by surgery that eliminates a part of the lining from the affected organ. It can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing difficulties.
If Savannah asbestos lawyer is diagnosed with mesothelioma pleural and their doctor recommends a procedure called VATS, which uses a camera inserted into the lungs in order to remove part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lung. However, it will not cure mesothelioma.
Other treatment options may include support and management of pain. It is vital that people with mesothelioma get as much information on the disease as possible and the best ways to treat it. The more knowledgeable they are, the better they can plan for a future which includes a full range of wellness and health activities.