Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal cancer.
The symptoms can manifest 10 to 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms can include chest pain, abdominal distress and a shortness of breath.
Risk Factors
Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the chest cavity's lining and lungs. Mesothelioma may also grow in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or the pericardium. It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to develop and show symptoms, which can often be mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma most often affects older people and is more prevalent in males than women.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of tiny fibres which were employed in construction materials, like ceilings and walls, because of its resistance fire and heat. It was also used extensively in the manufacturing of goods like pipes, insulations, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is an extremely serious illness for those who work in industries that make use of asbestos, for example shipbuilding, mining or construction. Even those who have only had secondary exposure to asbestos such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk.
A small percentage of mesothelioma patients are linked to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos.
The age of the patient is also a risk factor. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in those who are older than 45, and two thirds of those diagnosed with it are 65 years or older. This is due in part to the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, but it could also be because the disease is more prevalent in older patients who have experienced more prolonged and heavy exposure to the cancer-causing substance.
White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma more than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically, more white males have been employed in jobs that expose them to greater risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed to asbestos before the 1980s, a time when more strict regulations were in place.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the protective linings around many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors that form in the tissue can cause irreparable damage and pain. The malignancy could be spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. lewisville asbestos law firm take 10 - 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. This delay in time makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions.
In most cases, the malignant tumors originate in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma is also able to develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and heart. In rare instances it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes.
Asbestos is minerals in a grouping which form long, thin fibres. These fibers are so tough that they can't be broken down by chemical, water or bacteria. They were used extensively in a variety of construction and household products before scientists discovered how harmful they were to the lives of people.
The majority of patients with mesothelioma were exposed to the substance in the workplace or at home and the majority of those who were exposed worked in the US Navy, the air force, the shipbuilding or construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Veterans make up approximately 30% of all cases.
When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can spot it with imaging scans and medical tests. These include X rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also send a sample of tissue to a laboratory for testing.
The results can help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which can affect the prognosis as well as treatment options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid or sarcomatoid and between 10 and 15% are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is usually less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is more difficult to treat.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose particularly in its early stages. Patients should consult their primary care physician when they are experiencing any symptoms such as chest pains or coughing. The doctor will use a stethoscope listen to the patient's breathing and take note of their medical history and work history. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is important to determine if mesothelioma is present.
Because mesothelioma's symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, doctors must exclude other conditions prior to confirming the diagnosis. Cancer can spread to the lungs of a patient from other organs like the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related victims are more prone to lung diseases, such as pneumonia, and pleural mesothelioma symptoms may be confused with other respiratory illnesses.
Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy are all used to diagnose mesothelioma. These tests will aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is most often found in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or testicles. The tests will also assist doctors determine how much of the cancer is spreading in the body.
A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma-related signs including calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and the accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also show whether a person has more lungs on one side or the other.
In many instances biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking some of the tissue and analyzing it in a lab for mesothelioma-related cells.
Certain patients might require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) which allows doctors to examine the lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest and to take samples of them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) using sound waves to study the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is being treated by medical professionals. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer must carefully consider their options to determine the best treatment option for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the lungs or abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms generally don't show up until a few years after exposure to asbestos. As a result, it's important for people who have had to work with asbestos to have their health checked for any unusual symptoms.
A doctor will look over your medical history in order to determine if you are at risk of mesothelioma risks. This includes how long and how often you were exposed to asbestos. A doctor will also perform an examination to determine mesothelioma-related symptoms like the accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium and the site where these cells are. Epithelioid-like mesothelioma comprises 60 percent to 80% mesothelioma. Other mesothelioma types include biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid which account for 10% to 15% of mesothelioma cases.
There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease.
In some cases, the mesothelioma is treated using chemotherapy or radiation. In these treatments, doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or use special equipment to destroy tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma coming back.
Other types of mesothelioma can be treated through surgery that removes part of the lining of the affected organ. It can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing difficulties.
If a person is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, their doctor may perform a procedure called VATS, that involves the use of a camera into the lungs in order to remove part of the pleura and lungs. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lung. However, it will not cure mesothelioma.
Other treatment options include pain management or support services. It is essential that patients with mesothelioma get as much knowledge about the disease as they can and the best ways to treat it. The more informed they are, the better they can plan for a future which includes a full range of health and wellness-related activities.