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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor caused by asbestos exposure, is a serious condition. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural cancer, and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal cancer. The symptoms can manifest between 10 and 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain, and chest pain. Risk Factors Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the chest cavity's lining and lungs. Mesothelioma can also develop in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or in the pericardium. It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to grow and manifest symptoms that are often mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in older people and is more common in males than females. Exposure to asbestos is the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fibres which were used in building materials, such as ceilings and walls, due to its resistance to fire and heat. It was also employed in the production of products like pipes insulation, shingles, insulation and cement. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for those who work in industries that employ asbestos, such as shipbuilding, mining, or construction. However even those who had secondary exposure such as relatives who brought home asbestos on their clothing and skin, are at risk. A small portion of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a gene mutation called BAP1. This genetic mutation increases the risk of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos. The patient's age is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma typically affects people over the age of 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is partly due to the long latency time that is associated with asbestos exposure however, it could be due to the fact that the disease tends to affect older those who have had a longer-term and more intense exposure to the cancer-causing material. White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma than any other race or gender. This is because historically, white men were more likely to work in jobs which put them at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who were exposed asbestos prior to the 1980s, when better regulations were in place. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related tumor that forms in the protective linings around several body organs. The cancerous tumors can cause severe pain and can damage the tissues. The malignancy can extend to other areas of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. It can take up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before showing symptoms. This latency period makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma early, and the symptoms could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses. In the majority of cases, malignant tumors originate in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma may also form in the linings surrounding the heart and abdomen. In rare cases, it can affect the lining around the heart or the testes. Asbestos is a collection of minerals that forms long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they can't be broken down by chemical or water, or even bacteria. They were used extensively in a variety of construction and household products before scientists realized the dangers they posed to people's lives. Most mesothelioma cases were caused by exposure to asbestos at workplace or at home. The majority of patients exposed worked for the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. It is more prevalent in women than men and veterans comprise around 30 percent of mesothelioma patients. Pompano Beach asbestos lawyers and imaging scans can help doctors identify mesothelioma. These include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also send a tissue sample to a lab for testing. The results can help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which affects the prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15 percent of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid cancers are less aggressive and usually has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is more difficult to identify and has a less favorable prognosis. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to detect especially in its initial stages. The first step is for patients to see their primary care doctor with any signs, like chest pains or coughing. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing with an stethoscope, and record their health history and work. This includes any asbestos exposure history, which is crucial in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. Because mesothelioma's symptoms resemble other conditions, doctors need to exclude other conditions prior to making a diagnosis. For instance, the cancer often spreads to the lungs of patients from other parts of their body, like their chest wall or abdomen. Asbestos victims are prone to lung problems, including pneumonia, and pleural mesothelioma symptoms may be confused with other respiratory illnesses. Mesothelioma can be detected with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests can help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is often found in the lungs, but could also be found in the stomach or the testicles. These tests can also help doctors determine the extent of the cancer is growing within the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma signs, such as calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the chest wall and the lungs. These tests can also reveal whether a patient has more lungs on one side or the other. In many cases, a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing some of the tissue and testing it in the lab for mesothelioma-related cells. Certain patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to check the lymph nodes that are located in the middle of the chest and to take samples of them, or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to examine the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is being treated by doctors. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer need to carefully consider their options to find the best treatment for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms usually don't show up for several decades following asbestos exposure. This is why it's important for people who have worked around asbestos to be examined when they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will collect an examination of the medical history to check for mesothelioma risk factors for example, how long and how often an individual was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also perform an examination to find mesothelioma-related signs, such as fluid build-up in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium, and where those cells are located. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60 percent to 80% mesothelioma. Other mesothelioma types include sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic which account for 10% to 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are many different treatment options for patients with mesothelioma. The type of treatment you choose depends on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease. In certain cases, mesothelioma may be treatable with chemotherapy or radiation. During these treatments doctors use powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to destroy tumors. This reduces the chance of mesothelioma recurring. Other mesothelioma types can be treated through surgery that removes a portion of the tissue lining of the organ affected. This can also relieve symptoms such as breathing problems. If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura the doctor can perform a procedure called VATS, which uses a camera inserted into the lungs to eliminate part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can help with breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lungs. However, it will not cure mesothelioma. Other options for treatment include support or pain management. It is crucial that those with mesothelioma get as much information on the disease as they can and the best way to manage it. The more educated they are and the more they are able to plan for a future which includes a full range of wellness and health activities.