Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers cause pleural mesothelioma and swallowed asbestos can lead to peritoneal mesothelioma.
Symptoms may mimic symptoms of less serious diseases and may take between 10 and 50 years to show. The symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain and chest pain.
Risk Factors
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibres get into the body. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or lungs. Mesothelioma may also grow in the peritoneum (the membrane surrounding the heart) or in the pericardium. It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to form and to show signs that are often mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most common in older people and is more common in males than females.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos, a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres, was utilized in the construction of buildings, for example, in walls and ceilings. It is impervious to heat and fire. It was also used in the manufacture of goods like pipes insulation, shingles, insulation and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos was a common ingredient such as construction, mining or shipbuilding are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have only been exposed to asbestos for a short period of time, such as family who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk.
A small proportion (less than 5percent) of mesothelioma is due to an alteration in the gene BAP1. This genetic change can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos.
Age is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most common in those older than 45 years, and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with the disease are 65 years old or older. This is partly due to the lengthy latency period due to asbestos exposure, however, it could be due to the fact that the condition tends to affect older those who have had a longer-term and more intense exposure to asbestos-related material.
Mesothelioma is more common in white males than women or members of any other race. This is due to the fact that historically more white men worked in occupations that put them at greater risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma was typically seen in people who were exposed to asbestos before better regulations were put in the 1980s.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos, occurs in the protective linings of several organs. The cancerous tumors that form in the tissue can damage them and cause severe pain. The malignancy may spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to those of other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. It can take up to 50 years after asbestos exposure before showing symptoms. The latency period can make it difficult to diagnose the disease early and symptoms can be misinterpreted as signs of other diseases.
In the majority of cases, malignant tumors start in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). But mesothelioma can also form in the linings of the heart and abdomen. In rare instances it may affect the lining around the heart or the testes.
Asbestos is made up of a grouping of minerals which form long, thin fibers. These fibers are so tough that they are unable to be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were used extensively in a range of construction and household products before scientists realized how hazardous they were to the lives of people.
The majority of mesothelioma cases were triggered by exposure to asbestos either at work or at home. The majority of patients exposed were employed by the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Veterans make up around 30 percent of all cases.
If mesothelioma begins to develop, doctors can identify 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 lab for testing.
The results can aid in determining the type and stage of mesothelioma, which impacts prognosis as well as treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15 percent of cases 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
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to detect especially in its initial stages. Patients should first consult their primary care physician if they experience any symptoms such as chest pains or coughing. The doctor will examine the patient's breathing with an stethoscope, and record their work and health history. This includes any asbestos exposure information, which is crucial to determine mesothelioma's presence.
Because mesothelioma's symptoms resemble other diseases, doctors must be able to rule out other conditions prior to making a diagnosis. Cancer can develop in the lungs of a patient from other body parts like the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, like pneumonia, are very common among asbestos sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma may be confused with other respiratory diseases.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests as well as imaging tests and biopsies. These tests can help doctors find the cancerous site which is usually located in the lungs but can also be located in the stomach or testicles. The tests will assist doctors determine how far the cancer has spread 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 a buildup of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether the lungs of a person are more pronounced on one side than on the other.
In many cases, a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing small amounts of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma.
Some patients may require additional tests, for example FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), which can help doctors see how the tumor is affecting the blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to examine and collect lymph nodes in the center of the chest as well as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which makes use of sound waves to examine the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, is being treated by doctors. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer need to be aware of their options and determine the best treatment option for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the lungs, abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms are not usually evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. As a result, it is important for those who have had to work with asbestos to have their health checked when they experience unusual symptoms.
A doctor will review your medical history to determine if you're at mesothelioma-related risks. This is based on how long and how frequently you were exposed to asbestos. A doctor will also perform an examination to look for mesothelioma-related symptoms like the accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium as well as the site where these cells are. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60 to 80% of mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid, which make up between 10% and 15% of mesothelioma cases.
There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type and stage of mesothelioma.
In certain cases, mesothelioma is treatable with chemotherapy or radiation. In Sunnyvale asbestos lawyers administer powerful cancer-fighting drugs or utilize special equipment to kill tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma recurring.
Other forms of mesothelioma can be treated with surgery, which removes parts of the lining of the affected organ. This can also relieve symptoms such as breathing problems.
A person with asbestosis pleural may undergo a procedure referred to as VATS. This involves inserting a camera into the lung and then removing a piece of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. However, it will not cure mesothelioma.
Other treatment options may include support and management of pain. It is crucial for those suffering from mesothelioma to obtain as much information as possible about the disease and how to manage it. The more informed they are and the more they are able to plan for a future that includes a variety of health and wellness activities.