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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural cancer and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal cancer. The symptoms can manifest within 10 to 50 years of the initial diagnosis. The symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and a shortness of breath. Risk Factors Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the lining of the chest cavity and the lungs. Mesothelioma can also develop in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or the pericardium. The cancer can take up to 50 years to develop and manifest symptoms. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma most often affects older people and is more common in men than women. The biggest risk factor for mesothelioma involves exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres, was utilized in the construction of buildings, such as in ceilings and walls. It is impervious to fire and heat. It was also used in the manufacture of products like pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is an extremely serious illness for those working in industries that make use of asbestos, like shipbuilding, mining or construction. Even those who have only been exposed to asbestos for a short period of time like family members who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin, are at risk. alhambra asbestos attorneys of mesothelioma cases are linked to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic change increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos. Age is another important risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in those who are older than 45 years, and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with the disease are 65 years old or older. This is largely due to the long latency period that is associated with asbestos exposure but it could also be because the disease tends to impact older patients who have experienced more prolonged and heavy exposure to asbestos-related material. Mesothelioma is more prevalent among white males than in women or those belonging to any other race. This is due to the fact that historically more white males worked in jobs that put them at a greater risk of exposure to asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma typically affects those who were exposed asbestos before the 1980s, when more stringent regulations were in place. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos, develops in the linings that protect various organs. The cancerous tumors which form in the tissue could cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy could spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. They can take up to 50 years after asbestos exposure before showing symptoms. This latency period makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma early, and the symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions. In most cases, the malignant tumors begin in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma may also form in the linings surrounding the heart and abdomen. In rare instances, the disease can even affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is a class of minerals that create long thin fibers. These fibers are strong enough that they are unable to be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were extensively used in a variety of household and construction products for a long time before scientists realized the dangers they pose to people's health. Most mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those exposed worked in the US Navy and air force, shipbuilding or construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Veterans make up about 30% of all cases. Medical tests and imaging scans can aid in diagnosing mesothelioma. These include X rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also send a tissue sample to a lab for testing. The results can help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which influences prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid and between 10% and 15 percent are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to detect and has a less favorable prognosis. Diagnosis It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma, particularly at an early stage. Patients should consult their primary physician if they notice any signs such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing using a stethoscope and take down their medical history and work. This includes any history of asbestos exposure, which is crucial for diagnosing mesothelioma. Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can confirm a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are like those of other diseases. Cancer can develop in the lung of a patient from other parts of the body such as the abdomen or chest. Asbestos-related victims are more prone to lung diseases, such as mesothelioma and pneumonia. symptoms may be confused with other respiratory ailments. Blood tests, imaging tests and biopsy are all used to detect mesothelioma. These tests aid in locating the site 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 assist doctors determine how much of the cancer is spreading in the body. A CT scan or MRI can reveal mesothelioma-related signs like 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 has more lung capacity on one side or the other. In many instances a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing small quantities of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma. Certain patients may require additional tests, like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), which can help doctors see how the tumor is affecting blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which permits doctors to look at and sample lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest; or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to examine the lungs and mesothelium. 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 weigh their options to find the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma may affect the linings of the lungs or abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). Symptoms usually do not appear for several decades after asbestos exposure. It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos should be checked if they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will review your medical history in order to determine if you're at mesothelioma risk. This includes how long and how often you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an examination to find mesothelioma-related signs, 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 classify mesothelioma. Epithelioid-like mesothelioma comprises 60% to 80% mesothelioma. Other mesothelioma types include biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma which make up between 10% and 15% of all mesothelioma cases. There are many treatment options for mesothelioma. The treatment option is based on the stage and type of mesothelioma. In some instances, mesothelioma may be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. When treating mesothelioma, doctors utilize powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to eliminate tumors. This lowers the risk of mesothelioma coming back. Other types of mesothelioma can be treated by surgery that removes a portion of the lining from the affected organ. This can also help relieve symptoms like breathing difficulties. A person with asbestosis pleural can undergo a procedure referred to as VATS. This involves placing a camera in the lung and then removing a portion of the pleura and lung. This procedure can help improve breathing problems caused by the build-up 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 essential that patients suffering from mesothelioma receive as much knowledge about the disease as they can, and how to deal with it. The more they are aware of the more prepared they will be to plan for a the best possible and happy future.