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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a tumor that can be cancerous caused by asbestos exposure is a serious condition. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural cancer, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area. The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious diseases and can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years before they appear. The symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain and chest pain. Risk Factors Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres enter the body. 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 manifest symptoms that can be mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma is most often found in older people and is more prevalent in males than women. Exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres which were employed in construction materials, including ceilings and walls because of its resistance to fire and heat. It was also used in the manufacturing of goods such as pipes insulation, shingles, insulation and cement. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for those working in industries that use asbestos, for example mining, shipbuilding, or construction. However even those who had a secondary exposure to asbestos such as relatives who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothes and skin, are at risk. A small proportion of mesothelioma cases are linked to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic change can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos. The patient's age is also a risk factor. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who are over 45 and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is partly due to the lengthy latency period due to asbestos exposure, but it may be due to the fact that the disease is more prevalent in older those who have had a more extensive and prolonged exposure to asbestos-related material. Winston-Salem asbestos lawsuit are more likely develop mesothelioma than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically white men were more likely to work in jobs that put them at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than other groups. Mesothelioma typically affects those who were exposed asbestos before 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 which form in the tissue could cause irreparable damage and pain. The malignancy may extend to other areas of the body through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to those of other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. It usually takes between 10 and 50 years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This time of latency makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions. In most cases, the malignant tumors begin in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). But mesothelioma can also form in the tissues surrounding the heart and abdomen. In rare instances, the disease can even affect the lining of the testes or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is made up of minerals in a grouping which form long, thin fibers. These fibers are strong enough that they can't be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were commonly used in a variety of construction and household products before scientists discovered how hazardous they were to the lives of people. Most mesothelioma patients were exposed to the material in the workplace or at home and the majority of those exposed worked in the US Navy and the air force, the construction or shipbuilding industries. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Veterans make up approximately 30 percent of all cases. Medical tests and imaging scans can help doctors identify mesothelioma. These include X rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also send a sample of tissue to a lab for testing. The results will aid in determining the mesothelioma's stage and type which affects the outlook for treatment and options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and between 10 and 15 percent are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is usually less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat. Diagnosis It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma in particular at an early stage. Patients should first visit their primary care physician if they are experiencing any symptoms like chest pain or coughing. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing with the stethoscope and document their medical history and work. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is important for diagnosing mesothelioma. Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can confirm the diagnosis since mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Cancer can spread to the lungs of a patient from other parts of the body like the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common in asbestos sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma can also be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests will aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is most commonly in the lungs but can also be in the stomach or the testicles. These tests can also help doctors find out how much of the cancer is growing within the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal signs of mesothelioma. This includes calcium deposits (also called plaque) in the pleura, and an accumulation between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether a person has more lung capacity on one side or the other. In many instances a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing a small amount of tissue and testing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cells. Some patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET) which allows doctors to check the lymph nodes that are located in the middle of the chest and to sample them, or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to look at the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is currently being treated by doctors. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer must carefully consider their options to determine the best treatment option for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms usually don't show up for a long time after asbestos exposure. It is crucial that those who have been exposed to asbestos get checked if they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will review your medical history to determine if you have mesothelioma risk. This is based on how long and how frequently you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an examination to detect symptoms of mesothelioma for example, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. The type of cells that reside in the mesothelium and the locations of those cells are used to identify mesothelioma. Epithelioid-like mesothelioma comprises 60 to 80% of mesothelioma. Other mesothelioma types are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid, which both make up around 10 to 15% of mesothelioma patients. There are a myriad of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease. In some cases, the mesothelioma may be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. During these treatments, doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting drugs or utilize special equipment to eliminate cancerous cells and reduce the risk of mesothelioma returning. Other mesothelioma types are treated through surgery that eliminates a part of the lining from the affected organ. This can also help relieve symptoms such as breathing problems. A person suffering from asbestosis pleural may undergo a procedure known as VATS. This involves placing a camera in the lung and then removing a piece of the lung and pleura. This procedure can help with breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lungs. However, it can not treat mesothelioma. Other treatment options could include pain management and support services. It is essential that patients who suffer from mesothelioma have as much information about the disease as they can and how to deal with it. The more they know the more prepared they will be to plan for a an enjoyable and healthy future.