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Mesothelioma CancerMesothelioma, a cancerous tumor that is caused by asbestos exposure is a serious disease. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can lead to mesothelioma peritoneal.The symptoms can manifest within 10 to 50 years of the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and abdominal distress.Risk FactorsAsbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma. The most well-known mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. Mesothelioma may also grow in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or the pericardium. It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to grow and show symptoms that can be mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people, and it is more prevalent in males than women.The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma involves exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres, was employed as a building material such as in walls and ceilings. It is abrasive to fire and heat. It was also widely utilized in the production of products like pipes, insulations, shingles, and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos was a common ingredient, such as shipbuilding, mining, or construction are at risk of developing mesothelioma. However, even those who only experienced secondary exposure like family members who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothing and skin, are also at risk.A small portion of mesothelioma patients are linked to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the risk of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos.The age of the patient is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma is most common in those who are over 45 years old and two-thirds of those who are diagnosed with the disease are 65 years old or older. This is due in part to the lengthy latency period due to asbestos exposure, but it could be due to the fact that the disease tends to impact older those who have had a more prolonged and heavy exposure to the cancer-causing substance.White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically white men were more likely to work in occupations that put them at greater risk of exposure to asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma was typically seen in people who were exposed to asbestos before more stringent regulations were put in place in the 1980s.SymptomsMesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the linings that protect many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors that form within the tissue may cause damage and severe pain. The malignancy could be spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic or bloodstream system.The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to other diseases like pneumonia or influenza. They often take 10 – 50 years to show up 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.Most malignant tumors begin in the lungs or chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma is also able to develop in the linings that surround the heart and abdomen. In rare instances the disease may affect the testes’ lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).chicago asbestos law firm is a group of minerals that create long thin fibers. These fibers are strong enough that they aren’t broken by chemicals, water or bacteria. These materials were widely used in a range of construction and household products before scientists discovered the dangers they posed to people’s lives.The majority of patients with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or at home and the majority of those who were exposed worked in the US Navy, air force, shipbuilding or construction. It is more prevalent among men than women and veterans account for around 30 percent of mesothelioma cases.When mesothelioma develops, doctors can identify it by performing medical tests and imaging scans. These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also collect a sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for analysis.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 and sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15% of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to diagnose and has a less favorable prognosis.DiagnosisMesothelioma is difficult to identify especially in its initial stages. The first step is for patients to visit their primary care physician if they experience any symptoms, 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 history of asbestos exposure, which is essential for diagnosing mesothelioma.Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can make the diagnosis, as mesothelioma signs are similar to other diseases. Cancer can develop in the lung of a patient from other organs like the abdomen or chest. Asbestos sufferers are at risk of lung issues, such as mesothelioma and pneumonia. symptoms can be confused with other respiratory illnesses.Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy can all be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can aid doctors in identifying the cancerous site that is typically located in the lungs, but could also be in the stomach or in the testicles. The tests will assist doctors determine how far the cancer has spread throughout the body.A CT scan or MRI could reveal mesothelioma-related signs. These include calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura, and an accumulation between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also show whether the lungs of a person are more prominent on one side than the other.In many cases, a biopsy is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the laboratory for mesothelioma.Some patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which allows doctors to examine the lymph nodes that are located in the middle of the chest, and to test them, or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) using sound waves to look at the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, 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.TreatmentMesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Symptoms usually do not appear for several decades following asbestos exposure. It is essential that those who have been exposed to asbestos get checked if they experience unusual symptoms.A doctor will collect an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma risk factors including how long and how often an individual was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an exam to look for symptoms of mesothelioma for example, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. The type of cells found in mesothelium, as well as the location of those cells, are used to identify mesothelioma. The most popular type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. It makes up to 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. The other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma that both represent around 10 to 15% of mesothelioma patients.There are a myriad of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type and stage of mesothelioma.In some cases, the mesothelioma may be treated with radiation or chemotherapy. During these treatments doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting drugs or use special equipment to destroy tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma recurring.Other forms of mesothelioma are treated by surgery that removes a portion of the lining of the affected organ. This can also ease symptoms such as breathing difficulties.If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma pleural and their doctor recommends a procedure called VATS, which uses a camera inserted into the lungs to eliminate part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can ease breathlessness caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. However, it can not cure mesothelioma.Other treatment options could include support and management of pain. It is crucial for those who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather the most information they can about the disease and how to cope with it. The more they know the more equipped they will be to plan for a a healthy and happy future.