Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a cancer 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 diseases and can take 10 - 50 years before they appear. The symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and abdominal distress.
Risk Factors
Mesothelioma is a form of asbestos that develops when asbestos fibres enter the body. The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the chest cavity's lining and lungs. Mesothelioma may also grow in the peritoneum (the membrane surrounding the heart) or the pericardium. The cancer may take up to 50 years to develop and manifest symptoms. The symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in older people and more frequent in males than females.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of tiny fibres which were employed in construction materials, like walls and ceilings, because of its resistance heat and fire. It was also used extensively in the production of products such as pipes, insulations shingles, and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was a common ingredient, such as mining, construction or shipbuilding, are at high risk of developing mesothelioma. However, even those who only had a secondary exposure to asbestos, such as relatives who brought home asbestos on their clothes and skin, are at risk.
A small proportion of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a mutation in the gene 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 in those older than 45 years and two thirds of those diagnosed with it are 65 years 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 to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is more common in white males than in women or those belonging to any other racial group. This is due to the fact that historically, more white males worked in occupations which put them at greater risk of exposure to asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed asbestos prior to the 1980s, when better 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 can cause extreme pain and can damage the tissues. The malignancy can 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 like pneumonia or influenza. They often take 10 - 50 years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This time of latency makes it difficult to identify mesothelioma early, and the symptoms could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.
In the majority of cases, malignant tumors originate in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma is also able to develop in the linings that surround the heart and abdomen. In rare instances, it can affect the lining around the heart or the testes.
Asbestos is minerals in a grouping which form long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they are unable to be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were commonly used in a variety construction and household products before scientists realized how hazardous they were to people's lives.
The majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to the substance in the workplace or at home and the majority of those who were exposed were employed in the US Navy or air force, construction or shipbuilding industries. It is more prevalent in women than men and veterans comprise about 30 percent of mesothelioma patients.
When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can spot it through medical tests and imaging scans. These include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor could also take a sample of the tissue and send it to a lab to be tested.
The results can help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease, which influences prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15% of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is usually less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is more difficult to treat.
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma, particularly in its early stages. Patients should first consult their primary care physician when they experience any symptoms such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will use a stethoscope listen to the patient's breathing and take note of their health and work history. This includes any history of asbestos exposure, which is important in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis.
Because mesothelioma's symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, doctors need to exclude other conditions prior to confirming a diagnosis. Cancer can infect the lungs of a patient from other parts of the body like the abdomen or chest. Asbestos-related victims are more prone to lung issues, such as mesothelioma, pneumonia, and pleural symptoms can be confused with other respiratory ailments.
Blood tests, imaging tests and biopsy are all used to diagnose mesothelioma. These tests can help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is commonly in the lungs but could also be found in the stomach or the testicles. The tests will also assist doctors determine how much of the cancer is spreading 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. These tests can also determine whether a person's lungs are more prominent on one side than the other.
In many instances, a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing small amounts of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma.
Certain patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to examine the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest, and to test them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS), using sound waves to examine the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, is still being treated by doctors. Patients who have been diagnosed asbestos com mesothelioma with cancer must carefully weigh their options to find the best treatment for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms are not usually evident for a long time after asbestos exposure. It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos should be examined if they exhibit any strange symptoms.
A doctor will look over your medical history 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 exam to look for symptoms of mesothelioma like the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium as well as the location of those cells. The most common mesothelioma type is epithelioid. It makes up to 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. Other mesothelioma types are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma that both make up approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma patients.
There are many treatment options for mesothelioma. The treatment option is based on the stage and type of mesothelioma.
In certain cases, mesothelioma may be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. When treating mesothelioma, doctors utilize powerful cancer-fighting medications or special equipment to kill tumors. This decreases the likelihood of mesothelioma returning.
Other forms of mesothelioma can be treated through surgery that removes a portion of the tissues of the organ that are affected. This can also ease breathing difficulties and other symptoms.
A person with asbestosis pleural can undergo a procedure called VATS. This involves inserting a camera into lung and then removing a portion of the lung and pleura. This procedure can help improve 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 pain management. It is crucial that those with mesothelioma get as much information about the disease as they can and how to deal with it. The more educated they are, the better they can prepare for a future that includes a variety of wellness and health activities.