9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural cancer, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal region.

The symptoms may manifest within 10 to 50 years of the initial diagnosis. The symptoms could include abdominal pain, chest pain and shortness of breathe.

Risk Factors

Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the linings of the chest cavity or the lungs. In less cases, mesothelioma can develop in the peritoneum, or the membrane around the heart (pericardium). It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to grow and show symptoms, which can often be mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma most often affects older people and is more common in men than women.

The main risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres, was used in the construction of buildings, such as in ceilings and walls. It is resistant to fire and heat. It was also used extensively in the manufacturing of goods like insulations, pipes, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for those working in industries that use asbestos, such as mining, shipbuilding, or construction. Even those who only been exposed to asbestos for a short period of time like family members who brought home asbestos compensation-covered clothing and skin are at risk.

A small proportion of mesothelioma cases are linked to a gene mutation called 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 important risk factor. Mesothelioma typically affects those over 45 and two-thirds of those diagnosed are aged 65 or older. This is partly due to the lengthy latency period due to asbestos settlement exposure, however, it could be due to the fact that the disease is more prevalent in older patients who have experienced more prolonged and heavy exposure to the cancer-causing substance.

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 been employed in occupations which put them at a higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma typically affects those who were exposed asbestos before the 1980s, a time when more strict regulations were in place.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, occurs in the linings that protect many organs. The cancerous tumors can cause severe pain and can damage the tissues. The malignancy could be spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic or bloodstream system.

Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. It can take up to 50 years following exposure to asbestos before showing symptoms. This delay in time makes it difficult to identify mesothelioma early. Additionally, the symptoms could be misinterpreted as other diseases.

Most malignant tumors begin in the chest cavity or lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma may also develop in the linings around the abdomen and the heart. In rare instances, it can affect the lining of the heart or the testes.

Asbestos is made up of a grouping of minerals which form long, thin fibers. These fibers are strong enough that they aren't broken by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were extensively used in many household and construction materials for decades before scientists understood how dangerous they were to health.

The majority of patients with mesothelioma were exposed to the material in the workplace or at home and the majority of those who were exposed worked in the US Navy or air force, shipbuilding industry or construction. It is more prevalent among males than females, and veterans make up around 30 percent of mesothelioma cases.

If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can spot it by performing medical tests and imaging scans. This includes X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor may also send a sample of tissue to a lab for testing.

The results can help doctors 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 and sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15 percent of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less invasive and usually has the highest survival rate. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify particularly in its early stages. The first step is to see their primary care doctor with any symptoms, like chest pains or coughing. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing with the stethoscope and document their work and health history. This includes any asbestos exposure history, which is crucial to determine mesothelioma's presence.

Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other diseases, doctors must exclude other conditions prior to making the diagnosis. Cancer can spread to the lung of a patient from other parts of the body like the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common among asbestos litigation sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma may be mistaken for other respiratory diseases.

Blood tests, imaging tests and biopsy are all used to identify mesothelioma. These tests will aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is commonly in the lungs but could also be found in the stomach or testicles. The tests will also help doctors determine how much of the cancer is growing throughout the body.

A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma-related signs. This includes calcium deposits (also called 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 lung capacity on one side or the other.

In many cases, a biopsy is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking some of the tissue and analyzing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cell.

Certain patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to look at the lymph nodes that are located in the middle of the chest and to take samples of them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS), using sound waves to study the lungs and the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, is currently being treated by medical professionals. Therefore those diagnosed with cancer must weigh their options carefully to determine the best treatment for them.

Treatment

Mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms are not usually evident for several decades after asbestos exposure. It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos be checked if they experience unusual symptoms.

A doctor will review your medical history in order to determine if you are at risk of mesothelioma risk. This includes how long and how often you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also perform an examination to find signs of mesothelioma, such as fluid build-up in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium as well as the location of those cells. The most frequent type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. It makes up to 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma which represent between 10% and 15% of all mesothelioma cases.

There are a myriad of treatment options for mesothelioma. The kind of treatment you choose depends on the type and stage of mesothelioma.

In certain cases, mesothelioma may be treated by radiation or chemotherapy. In these treatments, doctors employ powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to eliminate tumors. This decreases the likelihood of mesothelioma coming back.

Other mesothelioma types can be treated through surgery that removes a portion of the lining of the affected organ. This can also relieve symptoms such as breathing problems.

If a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura, their doctor may perform VATS, a procedure which involves inserting a camera into the lungs to eliminate part of the pleura and lungs. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, however it does not cure the condition.

Other treatment options may include pain management and support services. It is important for people suffering from mesothelioma to obtain as much information as possible about the disease and ways to deal with it. The more they know the more equipped they are to plan for a healthy and happy future.