Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area.
The symptoms may manifest between 10 and 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and chest pain.
Risk Factors
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or lungs. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum or in the membrane around the heart (pericardium). The cancer may take up to 50 years to develop and manifest symptoms. These symptoms are often mistaken for flu like illnesses. Mesothelioma typically affects older people and is more prevalent in men than women.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres that were used in building materials, such as ceilings and walls because of its resistance to heat and fire. It was also extensively used in the manufacture of goods like insulations, pipes, shingles and cement. durham asbestos attorney in industries where asbestos was common like mining, construction or shipbuilding are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma. However even those who had secondary exposure, such as relatives who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothes and skin, are also at risk.
A small portion of mesothelioma cases are linked to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the risk of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos.
The age of the patient is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma is most common in people over 45 years old and two-thirds of those diagnosed with it are 65 years or older. This is due to the long latency associated with asbestos exposure. However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease due to the long-term exposure.
White males are more likely 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 jobs that put them at a higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma was most often seen in those who were exposed to asbestos prior to when better regulations were put into during the 1980s.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the linings that protect various organs in the body. The cancerous tumors can cause severe discomfort and cause damage to the tissue. The malignancy can spread to other parts through the lymphatic or bloodstream system.
Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. They often take 10 - 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. This delay in time makes it difficult to identify mesothelioma early, and the symptoms could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.
The majority of malignant tumors originate in the chest cavity, or lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma is also able to develop in the linings around the abdomen and heart. In rare instances it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes.
Asbestos is a collection of minerals which form long, thin fibres. These fibers are so durable that they are unable to be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were commonly used in a variety construction and household products before scientists realized the dangers they posed to people's lives.
Most mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those who were exposed worked in the US Navy or air force, shipbuilding industry or construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Veterans account for around 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 may also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory to be tested.
The results will help doctors determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease which can affect the prognosis as well as 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 can be more difficult to identify and has a less favorable prognosis.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma, especially at an early stage. Patients should consult their primary physician if they experience any symptoms such as chest pains or coughing. The doctor will utilize a stethoscope to listen to the patient's breathing and then record their health history and work history. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is essential to determine if mesothelioma is present.
Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can make the diagnosis, as mesothelioma signs are like those of other diseases. Cancer can spread to the lung of a patient from other organs such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos victims are prone to lung diseases, such as mesothelioma, pneumonia, and pleural symptoms may be confused with other respiratory ailments.
Mesothelioma can be detected with blood tests as well as imaging tests and biopsies. These tests help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is commonly in the lungs but could also be found in the stomach or testicles. The tests will assist doctors determine the extent to which the cancer has spread within the body.
A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma-related signs. This includes calcium deposits (also called plaque) in the pleura as well as a buildup between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also determine whether the lungs of a person are more on one side than the other.
In many cases, a biopsy is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the lab for mesothelioma.
Certain patients may require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which helps doctors understand how the tumor is affecting blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which allows 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 lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is still being treated by medical professionals. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer must be aware of their options and determine the best treatment 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 for a long time after exposure to asbestos. It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos get examined if they exhibit unusual symptoms.
A doctor will review your medical history to determine if you're at mesothelioma risk. This includes how long and intensely you were exposed to asbestos. A doctor will also perform an examination to determine mesothelioma signs, such as fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of cells that form in the mesothelium, and the location of those cells. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common type of to 80% of mesothelioma. The other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma which account for approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma patients.
There are a myriad of treatment options available for people suffering from mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease.
In some cases, mesothelioma may be treatable with chemotherapy or radiation. In these procedures, doctors inject powerful cancer-fighting drugs or use special equipment to destroy cancerous tumors and decrease the chance of mesothelioma recurring.
Other forms of mesothelioma can be treated surgically which involves the removal of parts of the lining of the affected organ. It can also alleviate symptoms like breathing problems.
A person suffering from pleural asbestosis may undergo a procedure known as VATS. This involves inserting a camera into lungs and removing a part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lungs. However, it will not cure mesothelioma.
Other treatment options may include support and management of pain. It is vital that people suffering from mesothelioma receive as much information about the disease as possible and the best ways to treat it. The more they are aware of, the better equipped they will be to plan for a an enjoyable and healthy future.