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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma pleural and swallowing asbestos can lead to mesothelioma peritoneal. The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious illnesses. They can take 10 – 50 years to appear. The symptoms can include chest pain, abdominal distress and breathlessness. Risk Factors Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the linings of the chest cavity or lungs. Mesothelioma can also develop in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or in the pericardium. It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to grow and manifest symptoms that are often confused with flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in older people and is more common in males than females. Asbestos exposure is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos, a natural mineral that is made up of tiny fibres, was used as a building material, for example, in ceilings and walls. It is impervious to heat and fire. It was also extensively employed in the production of goods like pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. Mesothelioma is an extremely serious illness for those working in industries that make use of asbestos, such as shipbuilding, mining, or construction. However even washington asbestos law firm who had secondary exposure, such as family members who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothes and skin, are at risk. A small proportion (less than five percent) of mesothelioma is linked to a mutation in the gene BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the chance of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos. The patient's age is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma most commonly affects people over the age of 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are aged 65 or older. This is due in part to the long latency time that is associated with asbestos exposure however, it could be due to the fact that the disease tends to impact older those who have had a more extensive and prolonged exposure to asbestos-related material. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in white males than females or people of any other racial group. This is due to the fact that historically more white males worked in occupations that put them at a higher risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Mesothelioma typically affects those who were exposed asbestos prior to the 1980s, when more stringent regulations were in place. Symptoms Mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos, occurs in the linings that protect various organs. The cancerous tumors can cause severe discomfort and cause damage to the tissue. The malignancy may spread to other parts through the lymphatic or bloodstream system. Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. It usually takes between 10 and 50 years to show up after exposure to asbestos. The latency period can make it difficult to detect the disease early and symptoms could be misinterpreted as signs of other diseases. In the majority of cases, malignant tumors start in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma may also develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and heart. In rare instances, it can affect the lining around the heart or the testes. Asbestos is minerals in a grouping that forms long, thin fibers. These fibers are so durable that they are unable to be broken down by chemical and water, or by bacteria. These materials were widely used in a variety 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 exposed were employed in the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Veterans make up around 30% of all cases. When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can spot it by performing medical tests and imaging scans. This includes X-rays CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also collect a sample of the tissue and send it to a lab to be tested. The results will help determine the type and stage of mesothelioma, which impacts the outlook for treatment and options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and between 10% and 15 percent are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less aggressive and usually has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose especially in its initial stages. The first step is to see their primary care doctor with any symptoms, such as coughing or chest pains. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing using a stethoscope and take down their medical history and work. This includes any asbestos exposure history, which is crucial in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other diseases, doctors must exclude other conditions prior to making the diagnosis. For example, the cancer often spreads to the lungs of a patient from a different part of their body, such as their chest wall or abdomen. Asbestos-related victims are more prone to lung diseases, such as mesothelioma and pneumonia. symptoms can be confused with other respiratory illnesses. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests, imaging tests and biopsies. These tests can help doctors find the cancerous area that is typically located in the lungs, but could also be found in the stomach or testicles. The tests will also help doctors find out how much of the cancer is spreading in the body. A CT scan or MRI could reveal the mesothelioma-related signs, such as calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and the accumulation of fluid between the chest wall and the lungs. These tests can also show whether a person has more lung capacity on one side or the other. In many cases a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking small quantities of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma. Certain patients might require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which allows doctors to examine the lymph nodes that are located in the middle of the chest and to sample them, or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) using sound waves to look at the lungs and the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare condition and doctors are still learning to treat it effectively. As a result, patients who are diagnosed with the cancer must weigh their options carefully to decide which treatment is the best for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms typically do not show up until a few decades after exposure to asbestos. It is crucial that those who have been exposed to asbestos get checked if they experience any strange symptoms. A doctor will collect an medical history to look for mesothelioma-related risk factors, for example, how long and how often someone was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an exam to look for symptoms of mesothelioma for example, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is categorized by the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium, and the location of those cells. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60% to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma include sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic which make up between 10% and 15% of all mesothelioma cases. There are many different treatment options available for people with mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease. In certain cases, mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. In these procedures, doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or use special equipment to eliminate cancerous cells and reduce the risk of mesothelioma returning. Other mesothelioma types can be treated with surgery which involves the removal of parts of the tissue lining of the organ affected. It can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing problems. If someone is diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma and their doctor recommends VATS, a procedure that involves the use of a camera into the lungs to remove part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate the breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, but is not a cure for the disease. Other treatment options may include pain management and support services. It is crucial for those suffering from mesothelioma to obtain as much information as possible about the disease and ways to deal with it. The more informed they are and the more they are able to plan for a future which includes a full range of health and wellness activities.