Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma which is a cancerous tumor that is caused by asbestos exposure is a serious condition. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma pleural and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal mesothelioma.
The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious diseases and can take 10 - 50 years to appear. Symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and abdominal distress.
Risk Factors
Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or lungs. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum or in the membrane around the heart (pericardium). It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to grow and manifest symptoms that are often mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people and is more common in men than women.
Exposure to asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos, a natural mineral that is made up of tiny fibres, was utilized in the construction of buildings, such as in ceilings and walls. It is abrasive to fire and heat. It was also widely used in the manufacture of goods like pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is a serious disease for those who work in industries that make use of asbestos, for example mining, shipbuilding, or construction. Even those who have had a second exposure to asbestos such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk.
A small percentage of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a genetic mutation known as BAP1. This genetic change can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos.
The age of the patient is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma typically affects those over 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is due to the prolonged time between exposure to asbestos. However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease due to the long exposure.
White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than any other race or gender. This is because historically more white men have been employed in occupations which put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed to asbestos prior to the 1980s, when better regulations were in place.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by asbestos, occurs in the protective linings of several organs. The cancerous tumors which form in the tissue can cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy could be 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 such as influenza or pneumonia. It can take up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before showing symptoms. This delay in time makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions.
In most cases, the malignant tumors originate in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma may also form in the linings surrounding the heart and abdomen. In rare instances the disease can affect the testes' lining or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).
Asbestos is one of the minerals that form long thin fibers. These fibers are so tough 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 realized the dangers they posed to the lives of people.
The majority of patients with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those exposed worked in the US Navy, air force, shipbuilding industry or construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Veterans comprise approximately 30 percent of all cases.
When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can detect it through medical tests and imaging scans. These include X rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also send a tissue sample to a laboratory for testing.
The results will allow doctors to determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease which can affect the prognosis as well as treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and between 10% and 15% are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is usually less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to identify and has a poorer prognosis.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify, especially in its early stages. The first step is for patients to visit their primary physician with any symptoms, like coughing or chest pains. The doctor will utilize a stethoscope to listen to the patient breathing and record their medical history and work history. This includes any past history of asbestos exposure, which is important in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis.
Because mesothelioma's symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, doctors must rule out other conditions before concluding the diagnosis. For example mesothelioma is a cancer that usually spreads to a person's lungs from a different part of their body, for instance, the chest wall or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common among asbestos sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma could also be mistaken for other respiratory diseases.
Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy can all be used to diagnose mesothelioma. These tests can aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is most typically in the lungs, but could also be found in the stomach or testicles. These tests can also help doctors determine the extent of the cancer is spreading throughout the body.
Harlingen asbestos lawsuits or MRI may show signs of mesothelioma. These include calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura, and an accumulation of lung tissue' and chest wall's walls. These tests can also determine whether a person has more lungs on one side or the other.
In many instances biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing a small amount of tissue and testing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cell.
Some patients may require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which helps doctors understand how the tumor is affecting the blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which allows doctors to examine and collect lymph nodes that are located in the center of the chest as well as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), which uses sound waves to study mesothelium and the lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare condition and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer must carefully consider their options to find the best treatment for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the lung linings or abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms generally don't manifest until decades after exposure to asbestos. This is why it is important for those who have worked around asbestos to have their health checked if they develop any strange symptoms.
A doctor will collect a medical history to check for mesothelioma risk factors for example, how long and how intensely an individual was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also perform an examination to detect signs of mesothelioma, like the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium, and the site where these cells are. The most popular mesothelioma type is epithelioid. It makes up 60% to the majority of mesothelioma patients. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma that represent between 10% and 15% of mesothelioma cases.
There are a myriad of treatment options available for people suffering from mesothelioma. The kind of treatment you choose depends on the stage and type of the mesothelioma.
In some instances, mesothelioma may be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. In these procedures, doctors inject powerful cancer-fighting medications or use special equipment to eliminate cancerous tumors and decrease the chance of mesothelioma recurring.
Other types of mesothelioma can be treated with surgery that eliminates a part of the lining of the affected organ. It can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing problems.
If a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura and their doctor recommends VATS, a procedure that involves the use of a camera into the lungs in order to remove part of the pleura and lungs. 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 options for treatment include support and management of pain. It is vital that people who suffer from mesothelioma have as much information about the disease as possible and the best ways to treat it. The more they know the more prepared they are to plan for the best possible and happy future.