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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural cancer and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area. albany asbestos lawyer can appear between 10 and 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain and chest pain. Risk Factors Mesothelioma is a form of asbestos that develops when asbestos fibers are introduced into the body. The most well-known mesothelioma type is mesothelioma that is found in the lining of the chest cavity and the lungs. Less commonly, mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, or the heart's pericardial membrane (pericardium). It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to form and to show signs that are often mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people and is more common in men than women. The exposure to asbestos is the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral composed of tiny fibres, was used as a building material for example, in ceilings and walls. It is impervious to fire and heat. It was also used in the manufacturing of goods like pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. Mesothelioma is a serious disease for those working in industries that use asbestos, for example mining, shipbuilding, or construction. Even those who have been exposed to asbestos for a short period of time such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk. A small percentage of mesothelioma cases are linked to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic change can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos. The age of the patient is also a risk factor. Mesothelioma typically affects people over the age of 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is due to the lengthy duration of exposure to asbestos. However, it could also be that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the long-term exposure. White males are more likely develop mesothelioma than anyone else of any race or gender. This is because historically, more white males worked in jobs which put them at a higher risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed asbestos before the 1980s, when more stringent regulations were in place. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that develops in the protective linings of many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors that form in the tissue could cause irreparable damage and pain. The malignancy could spread to other parts through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. They often take 10 – 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. This latency period makes it difficult to identify mesothelioma early, and the symptoms can be misinterpreted as other diseases. The majority of malignant tumors originate in the chest cavity, or lungs (pleura). However, mesothelioma may also develop in the tissues surrounding the heart and abdomen. In rare cases it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes. Asbestos is one of the minerals that make long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they aren't broken by chemicals, 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. The majority of mesothelioma cases were triggered by exposure to asbestos at work or at home. The majority of patients who were exposed were employed in the US Navy, Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Veterans account for around 30% of all cases. If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can spot it by performing imaging scans and medical tests. This includes X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also collect a sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for analysis. The results can help determine the mesothelioma's stage and type which can affect the prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and 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 has a worse prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to detect particularly in its early stages. The first step is to visit their primary physician with any symptoms, such as coughing or chest pains. The doctor will listen to the patient's breathing using an stethoscope, and record their medical history and work. This includes any past history of asbestos exposure, which is essential for diagnosing mesothelioma. Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can make a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. For example mesothelioma is a cancer that usually spreads to the lungs of a patient from another part of their body, such as their abdomen or chest wall. Asbestos sufferers are at risk of lung diseases, such as pneumonia, and pleural mesothelioma symptoms can be confused with other respiratory illnesses. Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests as well as imaging tests and biopsies. These tests will aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is often found in the lungs, but can also be in the stomach or the testicles. The tests will assist doctors determine how far cancer has spread within the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal signs of mesothelioma. This includes calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura, and an accumulation between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also determine whether a person's lungs are more on one side than 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 laboratory for mesothelioma cells. Certain patients might 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 to test them, or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), using sound waves to study the lungs and the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. In the end those diagnosed with cancer must consider their options carefully and decide which treatment is the best for them. Treatment Mesothelioma may affect the linings of the lungs and abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms usually don't show up for several decades following exposure to asbestos. Because of this, it is important for those who have worked around asbestos to get checked out when they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will take an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma risk factors, such as how long and how intensely the patient was exposed to asbestos. A doctor will also perform an examination to look for signs of mesothelioma such as the accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity. The type of cells found in the mesothelium, and the location of those cells, are used to classify mesothelioma. The most frequent mesothelioma type is epithelioid, and accounts for up 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. Other mesothelioma types are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which both represent approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are many treatment options for mesothelioma. The kind of treatment you choose depends on the type and stage of mesothelioma. In some cases, the mesothelioma can be treated with radiation or chemotherapy. In these treatments, doctors employ powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to eliminate tumors. This reduces the chance of mesothelioma coming back. Other mesothelioma types can be treated through surgery, which removes parts of the tissue lining of the organ affected. This may also help alleviate breathing difficulties and other symptoms. A person with asbestosis pleural may undergo a procedure referred to as VATS. This involves inserting a camera into lungs and removing a part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can ease breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lung. However, it can not cure mesothelioma. Other treatment options may include support and pain management. It is important for people suffering from mesothelioma to obtain as much information as possible about the disease and how to deal with it. The more they are aware of, the better equipped they are to plan for the best possible and happy future.