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Mesothelioma CancerMesothelioma 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 include breathlessness, chest pain and abdominal distress.Risk FactorsAsbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or lungs. Mesothelioma can also form in the peritoneum (the membrane surrounding the heart) or the pericardium. The cancer can take up to 50 years to develop before it manifests symptoms. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like symptoms. roanoke asbestos law firm affects older people and is more common in men than women.Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos is a natural mineral composed of tiny fibres which were employed in building materials, such as walls and ceilings, because of its resistance to heat and fire. It was also employed in the production of goods such as pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is an extremely serious illness for those who work in industries that employ asbestos, like mining, shipbuilding, or construction. However even those who experienced secondary exposure like relatives who brought home asbestos on their clothing and skin, are at risk.A small portion of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos.The age of the patient is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma is most common in people older than 45 years, and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years old or older. This is partly due to the lengthy latency period that is associated with asbestos exposure but it may also be because the disease is more prevalent in older patients who have experienced more extensive and prolonged exposure to the cancer-causing substance.Mesothelioma is more common in white males than in women or people of any other race. This is due to the fact that historically more white men worked in occupations that put them at a greater risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who were exposed to asbestos prior to the 1980s, when better regulations were in place.SymptomsMesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by asbestos, occurs in the protective linings of many organs. The cancerous tumors which form in the tissue could cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy may be spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream.Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. It usually takes between 10 and 50 years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The time of latency can make it difficult to detect the disease in the early stages and symptoms could be misinterpreted as other conditions.The majority of malignant tumors start in the lungs or chest cavity (pleura). But mesothelioma can also form in the linings of the heart and abdomen. In rare cases the disease may affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).Asbestos is one of the minerals that make long thin fibers. These fibers are so durable that they cannot be broken down by chemical, water or bacteria. They were commonly used in a variety of construction and household products before scientists realised how hazardous they were to the lives of people.Most mesothelioma patients were exposed to the material in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those who were exposed were employed in the US Navy and air force, construction or shipbuilding industries. It is more common in men than women and veterans account for around 30% of mesothelioma 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 sample of tissue to a lab for testing.The results will allow doctors to determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease, which influences prognosis and treatment options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid or sarcomatoid and between 10% and 15 percent are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat.DiagnosisIt is difficult to recognize mesothelioma, especially in the early stages. The first step is for patients to see their primary physician with any symptoms, such as coughing or chest pains. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing through an stethoscope, and record their work and health history. This includes any asbestos exposure history, which is crucial to determine mesothelioma's presence.Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can make the diagnosis since mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. For instance, the cancer often spreads to a person's lungs from other parts of the body, for instance, their abdomen or chest wall. Asbestos sufferers are at risk of lung problems, including mesothelioma, pneumonia, and pleural symptoms may be confused with other respiratory illnesses.Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests as well as imaging tests and biopsies. These tests aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is most typically in the lungs, but could also be found in the stomach or the testicles. These tests can also help doctors determine the extent of the cancer is spreading in the body.A CT scan or MRI could reveal mesothelioma-related signs. This includes calcium deposits (also called plaque) in the pleura and an accumulation of lung tissue and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether the lungs of a person are more prominent on one side than on the other.In many cases, a biopsied is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the laboratory for mesothelioma.Certain patients may require additional tests like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to check 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 lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare disease, and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer need to carefully weigh their options to determine the best treatment option for them.TreatmentMesothelioma can affect the linings of the lungs or abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). Symptoms usually do not appear for several decades following exposure to asbestos. This is why it is important for those who have been exposed to asbestos to have their health checked for any unusual symptoms.A doctor will collect a medical history to check for mesothelioma-related risk factors, such as how long and how often the patient was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an examination to find symptoms of mesothelioma for example, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. The type of cells in the mesothelium and the location of those cells, are used to categorize mesothelioma. The most frequent mesothelioma type is epithelioid. It makes up 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. Other mesothelioma types include biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma that make up between 10% and 15% of mesothelioma cases.There are a myriad 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 can be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. In these treatments, doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting drugs or utilize special equipment to destroy tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma returning.Other forms of mesothelioma are treated through surgery that removes part of the lining of the affected organ. It can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing problems.If a person has pleural mesothelioma, their doctor may perform the procedure known as VATS, which uses a camera inserted into the lungs to remove part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate breathing problems due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. However, it does not cure mesothelioma.Other treatment options may include support and pain management. It is crucial that those suffering from mesothelioma receive as much information on the disease as they can and the best way to manage it. The more they are aware of the more prepared they are to plan a the best possible and happy future.