Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma pleural and swallowing asbestos can lead to mesothelioma of the peritoneal region.
The symptoms can manifest between 10 and 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and abdominal distress.
Risk Factors
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers are introduced into the body. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or lungs. Less commonly, mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, or the heart's pericardial membrane (pericardium). The cancer can take up to 50 years to develop and manifest symptoms. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma typically affects older people, and is more common in men than women.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma involves exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of tiny fibres, was employed in the construction of buildings, such as in walls and ceilings. It is impervious to fire and heat. It was also used extensively in the manufacturing of goods such as pipes, insulations shingles and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos was prevalent, such as mining, construction or shipbuilding are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma. However, even those who only experienced secondary exposure like relatives who brought home asbestos on their clothes and skin, are also at risk.
A small portion (less than 5percent) of mesothelioma is due to mutations in the gene BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the risk of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed 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 65 or older. This is due in part to the lengthy latency period that is associated with asbestos exposure but it could also be because the disease tends to affect older those who have had a more prolonged and heavy exposure to asbestos-related material.
White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than any other race or gender. This is because historically more white men have worked in occupations that expose them to greater risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who were exposed asbestos prior to the 1980s, when more stringent regulations were in place.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos, is found in the protective linings of various organs. The cancerous tumors can cause severe pain and damage the tissue. The malignancy can spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system or bloodstream.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. It could take up to 50 years following asbestos exposure before they show symptoms. This delay in time makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma early. Additionally, the symptoms could be misinterpreted as other diseases.
In the majority of cases, malignant tumors originate in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma can also form in the linings surrounding the abdomen and heart. In rare cases the disease may affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).
Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that form long, thin fibres. The fibers are so strong that they can't be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. These materials were widely used in a variety construction and household products before scientists realized how hazardous they were to people's lives.
Cranston asbestos lawyers of mesothelioma patients were exposed to the material in the workplace or at home and the majority of those exposed were employed in the US Navy, air force, construction or shipbuilding industries. It is more prevalent in males than females and veterans comprise about 30 percent of mesothelioma patients.
When mesothelioma develops doctors can spot it through imaging scans and medical tests. These include X rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for testing.
The results will allow doctors to determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which influences prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15 percent of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is usually less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is more difficult to treat.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to detect especially in its initial stages. Patients should first visit their primary care physician if they are experiencing any symptoms such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will listen to the patient's breathing through the stethoscope and document their medical history and work. This includes any history of asbestos exposure, which is crucial to determine if mesothelioma is present.
Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other conditions, doctors need to be able to rule out other conditions prior to concluding a diagnosis. For instance, the cancer often spreads to the lungs of a patient from another part of the body, for instance, their abdomen or chest wall. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common in asbestos-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma may also be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses.
Imaging tests, blood tests and biopsy can all be used to detect 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 also help doctors find out how much of the cancer is spreading throughout the body.
A CT scan or MRI could reveal signs of mesothelioma. This includes calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura, and an accumulation between the lungs' and chest wall's walls. These tests can also show 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 procedure involves taking small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the lab for mesothelioma.
Some patients may need additional tests, for example FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which allows doctors to see how the tumor is affecting the blood supply to the lungs. mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to examine and sample lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to examine the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare disease, and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. As a result patients diagnosed with the cancer must consider their options carefully and decide which treatment is the best for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms usually don't show up until a few years after exposure to asbestos. As a result, it is important for those who have had to work with asbestos to get checked out for any unusual symptoms.
A doctor will look over your medical history in order to determine if you have mesothelioma risks. This is based on how long and how frequently you were exposed to asbestos. A doctor will also perform an examination to determine mesothelioma signs, such as the accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of cells that form in the mesothelium and where those cells are located. The most frequent type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. It makes up between 60 and the majority of mesothelioma patients. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid, which make up between 10% and 15% of all mesothelioma cases.
There are many treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease.
In certain instances, mesothelioma can be treated by radiation or chemotherapy. When treating mesothelioma, doctors utilize powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to eliminate tumors. This decreases the likelihood of mesothelioma coming back.
Other mesothelioma types can be treated through surgery, which removes parts of the tissue lining of the organ affected. This can also ease symptoms such as breathing difficulties.
A person with pleural asbestosis may undergo a procedure known as VATS. This involves inserting a camera into lung and then removing a portion of the pleura and lung. 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 treatment options may include pain management and support services. It is crucial for those who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather as much information as they can about the disease and ways to cope with it. The more they are aware of the more prepared they are to plan a the best possible and happy future.