Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor that is caused by asbestos exposure is a serious illness. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal region.
Symptoms can appear 10 to 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and breathlessness.
Risk Factors
Mesothelioma is a form of asbestos that develops when asbestos fibres get into the body. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the linings of the chest cavity or the lungs. Less commonly, mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum or in the heart's membrane (pericardium). The cancer may take up to 50 years to manifest symptoms. These symptoms are frequently mistaken for flu like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people, and is more prevalent in men than women.
Asbestos exposure is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of tiny fibres that were used in construction materials, like walls and ceilings, because of its resistance fire and heat. It was also used in the manufacturing of goods like pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos was common like mining, construction or shipbuilding are at a 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 and skin, are at risk.
A small portion of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic change increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos.
Age is another significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most often found in people over the age of 45 and two-thirds of those diagnosed are aged 65 or older. This is largely due to the long latency time that is associated with asbestos exposure however, it could also be because the disease tends to affect older those who have had a more prolonged and heavy exposure to the cancer-causing substance.
Mesothelioma is more prevalent in white males than women or members of any other racial group. This is due to the fact that historically, more white men have been employed in occupations that put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma is typically seen in people who were exposed to asbestos before more stringent regulations were put in place in the 1980s.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by asbestos, occurs in the protective linings of various organs. The cancerous tumors that form in the tissue could damage them and cause severe pain. The malignancy may spread to other parts through the lymphatic or bloodstream system.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. They often take 10 - 50 years to show up after exposure to asbestos. This delay in time makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms could be mistaken for other conditions.
In most cases, the malignant tumors originate in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma is also able to form in the linings surrounding the heart and abdomen. In rare cases the disease can affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).
Asbestos is minerals in a grouping that form long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they are unable to be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. These materials were used widely in various household and construction materials for a long time before scientists realized the dangers they pose for health.
Most mesothelioma cases were caused by exposure to asbestos either at work or home. The majority of patients who were exposed were employed in the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. It is more prevalent among men than women and veterans comprise around 30 percent of mesothelioma patients.
Imaging scans and medical tests can aid doctors in identifying mesothelioma. These include X-rays CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor may also collect a sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory to be tested.
The results can help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease, which influences prognosis and treatment options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid and between 10 and 15 percent are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is more difficult to treat.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify especially in its initial stages. north richland hills asbestos lawsuit should first consult their primary care physician when they are experiencing any symptoms such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will examine the patient's breathing using a stethoscope and take down their health history and work. This includes any history of asbestos exposure, which is crucial for diagnosing mesothelioma.
Because mesothelioma's symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, doctors must be able to rule out other conditions prior to concluding the diagnosis. Cancer can spread to the lung of a patient from other body parts such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, such as pneumonia, are common among asbestos-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma may be confused with other respiratory illnesses.
Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy can all be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can help doctors find the cancerous region which is usually located in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or testicles. The tests will also help doctors find out how much of the cancer is growing within the body.
A CT scan or MRI may reveal signs of mesothelioma. This includes calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura as well as a buildup between the lungs' and chest wall's walls. These tests can also reveal whether a person has more lung capacity on one side or the other.
In many cases a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing some of the tissue and analyzing it in a laboratory for mesothelioma cell.
Certain patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) which permits doctors to check the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest, and to test them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS), using sound waves to look at the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare condition, and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer need to carefully consider their options to determine the best treatment for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the lung linings or abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms usually don't show up until a few years after exposure to asbestos. This is why it's important for people who have worked around asbestos to have their health checked if they develop any strange symptoms.
A doctor will conduct an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma-related risk factors, such as how long and how intensely the patient was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also perform an exam to look for signs of mesothelioma, like the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium as well as where those cells are located. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common type of percent to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid that both account for approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma patients.
There are a variety of treatment options available for people with mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease.
In certain cases, mesothelioma may be treatable by radiation or chemotherapy. In these treatments doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting drugs or utilize special equipment to eliminate tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma returning.
Other mesothelioma types can be treated through surgery, which removes parts of the lining of the affected organ. It can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing difficulties.
If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura, their doctor may perform VATS, a procedure that involves the use of a camera into the lungs to remove part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, but does not cure the disease.
Other options for treatment include support and management of pain. It is important for people who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather as much information as they can about the disease and how to manage it. The more knowledgeable they are, the better they can prepare for a future that includes a full range of health and wellness-related activities.