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.
These symptoms can be a sign of less serious illnesses. They can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years before they appear. The symptoms could include abdominal pain, chest pain and a shortness of breath.
Risk Factors
Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres get into the body. The most well-known mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the chest cavity's lining and lungs. Less commonly, mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum or the membrane around the heart (pericardium). The cancer may take up to 50 years to develop and manifest symptoms. The symptoms are often mistaken for flu like illnesses. Mesothelioma is more common in people over the age of 50 and is more frequent in males than females.
Exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of tiny fibres which were employed in construction materials, including ceilings and walls, because of its resistance fire and heat. It was also widely used in the manufacture of products like pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for those who work in industries that make use of asbestos, like mining, shipbuilding or construction. Even those who only had secondary exposure to asbestos such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk.
A small portion of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic change can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos.
Age is another important risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most common among people over 45 years old, and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years or older. This is due to the long time between exposure to asbestos. However, it could also be that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the prolonged exposure.
White males are more likely develop mesothelioma more than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically more white men have worked in occupations that expose them to greater risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who were exposed to asbestos before the 1980s, a time 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 can cause extreme pain and can damage the tissues. The malignancy could extend to other areas of the body through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. It could take up to 50 years after asbestos exposure before they show symptoms. The latency period can make it difficult to diagnose the disease in the early stages and symptoms may be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.
Most malignant tumors begin in the lungs or chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma can also develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and the heart. In rare cases, it can affect the lining around the heart or the testes.
Asbestos is made up of a grouping of minerals that form long, thin fibers. These fibers are strong enough that they aren't broken down by water, chemicals or bacteria. These materials were used widely in various household and construction products for a long time before researchers realized how harmful they were to health.
Most mesothelioma patients were exposed to the material in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those who were exposed worked in the US Navy and air force, construction or shipbuilding industries. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Veterans comprise approximately 30% of all cases.
Medical tests and imaging scans can aid in diagnosing mesothelioma. These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also send a tissue sample to a laboratory for analysis.
The results can aid in determining the type and stage of mesothelioma, which impacts prognosis as well as treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15 percent of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid cancers are less aggressive and generally has the highest survival rate. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify especially in its initial stages. Patients should consult their primary care physician if they notice any signs such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will listen to the patient's breathing with a stethoscope and take down their work and health history. This includes any past history of asbestos exposure, which is crucial to determine if mesothelioma is present.
Because mesothelioma's symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, doctors must exclude other conditions prior to making a diagnosis. Cancer can develop in the lung of a patient from other parts of the body such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos sufferers are at risk of lung problems, including mesothelioma, pneumonia, and pleural symptoms may be confused with other respiratory illnesses.
Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy can all be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is commonly in the lungs but may also be located in the stomach or testicles. The tests will also assist doctors determine the extent peritoneal mesothelioma asbestos of the cancer is growing in the body.
A CT scan or MRI could show signs of mesothelioma. These include 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 pronounced on one side than on the other.
In many cases, a biopsied is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking small quantities of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma.
Some patients might require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), allowing doctors to look at the lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest and to test the lymph nodes, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) using sound waves to examine the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is currently being treated by doctors. Therefore patients diagnosed with 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) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms generally don't show up until a few decades after exposure to asbestos. It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos be checked if they experience any strange symptoms.
A doctor will take an medical history to look for mesothelioma risk factors, including how long and how often the patient was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an examination to find symptoms of mesothelioma such as fluid build-up in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is categorized by the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium as well as the location of those cells. 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 represent between 10% and 15% of all mesothelioma cases.
There are a myriad of treatment options available for people suffering from mesothelioma. The type of treatment is based on the stage and type of mesothelioma.
In some cases, mesothelioma may be treated by radiation or chemotherapy. During these treatments, doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting drugs or utilize special equipment to kill cancerous tumors and decrease the chance of mesothelioma recurring.
Other types of mesothelioma may be treated through surgery that removes a portion of the lining of the affected organ. This can also ease symptoms like breathing problems.
A person suffering from asbestosis pleural can 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 help with breathlessness caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. However, it does not cure mesothelioma.
Other options for treatment include pain management or support services. It is vital that people suffering from mesothelioma receive as much information about the disease as possible and the best way to manage it. The more they are aware of, the better equipped they will be to plan for a an enjoyable and healthy future.