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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor that is caused by asbestos exposure is a serious illness. Inhaling asbestos fibers causes mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can cause mesothelioma peritoneal. Symptoms may mimic symptoms of less serious diseases and can take 10 – 50 years to show. The symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and abdominal distress. Risk Factors Mesothelioma is a form of asbestos that develops when asbestos fibres get into the body. vancouver asbestos attorneys is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or lungs. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum, or the heart's membrane (pericardium). It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to develop and manifest symptoms that can be mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma is more common in older people and more prevalent in males than females. The main risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of tiny fibres which were employed in construction materials, like ceilings and walls because of its resistance heat and fire. It was also widely employed in the production of products like pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. Mesothelioma is a serious disease for people who work in industries that use asbestos, such as shipbuilding, mining or construction. However even those who experienced secondary exposure such as family members who brought home asbestos on their clothing and skin, are at risk. A small portion of mesothelioma cases are linked to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic change can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos. Age is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in those who are over 45 years old and two-thirds of those diagnosed with the disease are 65 years old or older. This is due to the prolonged duration of exposure to asbestos. However, it could also be that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the prolonged exposure to asbestos. White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than anyone else of any race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically, more white males have been employed in occupations that put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma typically affects those who were exposed asbestos before the 1980s, a time when better regulations were in place. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the protective linings of various organs in the body. The cancerous tumors which form in the tissue can cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy may spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to those of other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. They typically take between 10 and 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. This latency period makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma early, and the symptoms can be misinterpreted as other diseases. The majority of malignant tumors originate in the lungs or chest cavity (pleura). However, mesothelioma may also develop in the linings of the heart and abdomen. In rare cases it can affect the lining around the heart or the testes. Asbestos is made up of a grouping of minerals which form long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they aren't broken by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were widely used in various household and construction products for a long time before scientists realized the dangers they pose to health. Most mesothelioma cases were caused by exposure to asbestos at workplace or at home. The majority of patients who were exposed were employed by the US Navy, Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. It is more prevalent in women than men and veterans comprise about 30 percent of mesothelioma cases. If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can spot it with 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 can aid in determining the type and stage of mesothelioma which affects the outlook for treatment and options. The majority of mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15% of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is more difficult to diagnose and has a poorer prognosis. Diagnosis It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma, particularly in the early stages. Patients should consult their primary physician if they are experiencing any symptoms such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will use a stethoscope listen to the patient breathing and then record their health history and work history. This includes any asbestos exposure background, which is essential for diagnosing mesothelioma. Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other conditions, doctors need to be able to rule out other conditions prior to concluding a diagnosis. Cancer can spread to the lung tissue of a patient through other body parts such as the abdomen or chest. Asbestos-related lung diseases, like pneumonia, are common in asbestos sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma can be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses. Blood tests, imaging tests and biopsy are all used to diagnose mesothelioma. These tests help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is most commonly in the lungs but can also be in the stomach or testicles. The tests will also help doctors find out how much of the cancer is spreading throughout the body. A CT scan or MRI can reveal mesothelioma signs like calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and an accumulation of fluid between the chest wall and the lungs. These tests can also show whether the lungs of a person are more pronounced on one side or the other. In many cases, a biopsied is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the laboratory for mesothelioma. Some patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which allows doctors to look at the lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest and sample them, or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to examine the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is being treated by medical professionals. As a result, patients who are diagnosed with the cancer must be aware of their options and decide what treatment is best for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the lungs and abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms typically do not show up until a few years after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, it is important for those who have been exposed to asbestos to get checked out when they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will go over your medical history in order to determine if you are at risk of mesothelioma risk. This is based on how long and how frequently you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also perform an exam to look for signs of mesothelioma, such as fluid build-up in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium, and the location of those cells. The most common mesothelioma type is epithelioid, and accounts for up 60% to 80% of mesothelioma cases. The other types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma, which both make up about 10% to 15% of mesothelioma patients. There are a myriad of treatment options for patients suffering from mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease. In some instances, mesothelioma can be treated through radiation or chemotherapy. In these treatments, doctors employ powerful chemotherapy drugs or equipment to kill tumors. This decreases the likelihood of mesothelioma recurring. Other mesothelioma types are treated with surgery that removes a portion of the lining of the affected organ. This may also help alleviate symptoms like breathing difficulties. If a person has mesothelioma of the pleura the doctor can perform VATS, a procedure which uses a camera inserted into the lungs in order to remove part of the lung and pleura. This procedure can ease breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lung. However, it does not treat mesothelioma. Other options for treatment include support services or pain management. It is vital that people suffering from mesothelioma receive as much information about the disease as they can, and the best way to manage it. The more they are aware of, the better equipped they are to plan a an enjoyable and healthy future.