9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos claim fibers cause pleural mesothelioma and swallowed asbestos can cause mesothelioma peritoneal.

Symptoms may mimic symptoms of less serious illnesses and can take 10 - 50 years to show. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and abdominal distress.

Risk Factors

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos lawsuit fibers are introduced into the body. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or the lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum or in the heart's membrane (pericardium). It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to develop and manifest symptoms that are often mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most common in people over the age of 50 and is more common in males than females.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos is a natural mineral composed of tiny fibres which were utilized in building materials, such as walls and ceilings, because of its resistance to heat and fire. It was also used extensively in the production of products such as pipes, insulations shingles and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos law was common such as shipbuilding, mining, or construction are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have only had secondary exposure to asbestos such as relatives who brought home asbestos claim-covered clothing or skin are at risk.

A small proportion (less than 5percent) of mesothelioma is linked to a mutation in the BAP1 gene. This genetic change increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos.

Age is another important risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most often found in those over 45 and two-thirds of those diagnosed are aged 65 or older. This is due to the prolonged time between exposure to asbestos. However, it could also be that older people are more likely to develop the disease due to the long-term exposure.

Mesothelioma is more prevalent among white males than women or members of any other race. This is due to the fact that historically more white males worked in occupations which put them at a greater risk of asbestos exposure 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 linings that protect various organs in the body. The cancerous tumors that form in the tissue could cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy could expand to other areas through the lymphatic or bloodstream system.

Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. They can take up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before showing symptoms. This latency period makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma early, and the symptoms could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.

In the majority of cases, malignant tumors originate in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma may also develop in the linings that surround the heart and abdomen. In rare cases the disease can affect the lining of the testes or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).

Asbestos is made up of minerals in a grouping that forms long, thin fibres. The fibers are so strong that they are unable to be broken down by water, chemicals or bacteria. These materials were widely used in a range of construction and household products before scientists discovered how hazardous they were to people's lives.

The majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to the material in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those exposed worked in the US Navy, air force, construction or shipbuilding industries. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Veterans comprise approximately 30% of all cases.

When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can spot it with imaging scans and medical tests. These include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also send a sample of tissue to a laboratory for analysis.

The results will help determine the type and stage of mesothelioma which can affect the prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and between 10 and 15% are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less invasive and generally has the highest survival rate. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is more difficult to treat.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma, particularly in its early stages. The first step is for patients to visit their primary care doctor with any signs, like coughing or chest pains. The doctor will examine the patient's breathing using the stethoscope and document their health history and work. This includes any asbestos exposure information, which is crucial in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis.

Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other illnesses, doctors must rule out other conditions before confirming the diagnosis. Cancer can develop in the lungs of a patient from other parts of the body such as the abdomen or chest. Asbestos-related lung diseases, such as pneumonia, are common in asbestos-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma could also be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses.

Blood tests, imaging tests and biopsy are all used to detect mesothelioma. These tests will aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is most commonly in the lungs but could also be found in the stomach or the testicles. The tests can help doctors determine how far cancer has spread throughout the body.

A CT scan or MRI could reveal the signs of mesothelioma, such as calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also show whether a person's lungs are more pronounced on one side than on the other.

In many cases biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing some of the tissue and analyzing it in the lab for mesothelioma-related cells.

Some patients might require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to look at the lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest, and to sample them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) which uses sound waves to look at the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare disease and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should be aware of their options and determine the best treatment option for them.

Treatment

Mesothelioma may affect the linings of the lungs and abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms typically do not show up until a few years after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, it is important for those who have worked around asbestos to be examined if they develop any strange symptoms.

A doctor will look over your medical history in order to determine if you are at risk of mesothelioma-related risks. This includes how long and how often you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an examination to detect mesothelioma-related signs, such as fluid build-up in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium and the site where these cells are. Epithelioid-like mesothelioma comprises 60% to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma which make up around 10 to 15% of mesothelioma patients.

There are a myriad of treatment options available for people with mesothelioma. The treatment option is dependent on the type and stage of mesothelioma.

In certain cases, mesothelioma may be treated with radiation or chemotherapy. During these treatments doctors use powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to eliminate tumors. This decreases the likelihood of mesothelioma recurring.

Other mesothelioma types are treated by surgery that eliminates a part of the lining from the affected organ. This can also ease symptoms such as breathing problems.

A person suffering from asbestosis pleural can undergo a procedure referred to as VATS. This involves inserting a camera into lung and then removing a piece of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate breathing problems caused by the build-up of fluid in the lungs, but is not a cure for the disease.

Other treatment options could include support and management of pain. It is crucial for those who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather as much information as they can about the disease and ways to manage it. The more knowledgeable they are and the more they are able to prepare for a future that includes a variety of wellness and health activities.