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 peritoneal cancer.
These symptoms can be a sign of less serious illnesses. They may take between 10 and 50 years before they appear. Symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain, and chest pain.
Risk Factors
Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or lungs. Mesothelioma can also develop in the peritoneum (the membrane surrounding the heart) or the pericardium. It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to grow and show symptoms, which can often be confused with flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is more common in older people and more common in males than females.
The biggest risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral composed of tiny fibres which were used in building materials, such as ceilings and walls because of its resistance to fire and heat. It was also widely employed in the production of goods such as pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was a common ingredient, such as construction, mining or shipbuilding, are at high risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have had secondary exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos-covered clothing or skin are at risk.
A small proportion (less than 5percent) of mesothelioma is due to an alteration in the BAP1 gene. This genetic change can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos.
Age is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma most commonly affects people over the age of 45, and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is due in part to the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, however, it could be due to the fact that the disease is more prevalent in older those who have had a longer-term and more intense exposure to the cancer-causing substance.
Mesothelioma is more prevalent among white males than females or people of any other race. This is because historically, white men were more likely to work in jobs which put them at a higher risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed asbestos before the 1980s, a time when better regulations were in place.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the linings that protect various organs in the body. The cancerous tumors can cause severe pain and damage the tissue. The malignancy can extend to other areas of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to symptoms of other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. They can take up to 50 years following asbestos exposure before showing symptoms. This latency period makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma early. Additionally, the symptoms could be mistaken for other conditions.
In most cases, the malignant tumors originate in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). However, mesothelioma may also develop in the tissues surrounding the abdomen and the heart. In rare instances it may affect the lining of the heart or the testes.
Asbestos is a class of minerals that form long, thin fibers. These fibers are so durable that they cannot be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were commonly used in a variety construction and household products before scientists discovered how harmful they were to the lives of people.
The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos at work or home. The majority of patients who were exposed were employed in the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Veterans make up about 30% of all cases.
If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can spot it by performing medical tests and imaging scans. This includes X-rays CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor could also take a sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for analysis.
The results will 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 or sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15% of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma tends to be less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is a less favorable prognosis and is more difficult to treat.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma in particular in the early stages. Patients should first consult their primary care physician when they experience any symptoms like chest pain or coughing. The doctor will observe the patient's breathing with an stethoscope, and record their medical history and work. This includes any history of asbestos exposure, which is essential to determine if mesothelioma is present.
Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other diseases, doctors must rule out other conditions before asbestos disease mesothelioma confirming a diagnosis. For example mesothelioma is a cancer that usually spreads to the lungs of a patient from a different part of their body, such as the chest wall or abdomen. Asbestos-related victims are more prone to lung problems, including pneumonia, and pleural mesothelioma symptoms may be confused with other respiratory illnesses.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests as well as imaging tests and biopsies. These tests can help doctors find the cancerous region that is typically located in the lungs, but could also be found in the stomach or testicles. The tests can help doctors determine the extent to which the cancer has spread in the body.
A CT scan or MRI can reveal mesothelioma-related signs including calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether a patient has more lung tissue on one side or the other.
In many cases biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing a small amount of tissue and analyzing it in a laboratory for mesothelioma cells.
Some patients may need additional tests, like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), which can help doctors see how the tumor is affecting the blood supply to the lungs. mediastinoscopy, which allows doctors to examine and sample lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest; or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which makes use of sound waves to look at mesothelium and the lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare condition, and doctors are still learning to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should carefully consider their options to determine the best treatment option for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the lung linings and abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms usually don't manifest until years after exposure to asbestos. It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos should be checked if they experience any strange symptoms.
A doctor will review your medical history in order to determine if you're at mesothelioma-related risks. This is based on how long and how frequently you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an exam to look for symptoms of mesothelioma such as fluid build-up in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of cells that form in the mesothelium, and the site where these cells are. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60% to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid that account for 10% to 15% of mesothelioma cases.
There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. The kind of treatment you choose is based on the stage and type of mesothelioma.
In some instances, mesothelioma can be treatable through radiation or chemotherapy. During these treatments doctors use powerful cancer-fighting medications or special equipment to destroy tumors. This lowers the risk of mesothelioma coming back.
Other types of mesothelioma may be treated with surgery, which removes parts of the tissues of the organ that are affected. This can also ease symptoms such as breathing problems.
If a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura the doctor can perform the procedure known as VATS, which involves inserting a camera into the lungs to eliminate part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can help with breathing problems due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. However, it can not cure mesothelioma.
Other options for treatment include support services or pain management. It is crucial that those suffering from mesothelioma receive as much information on the disease as they can, and how to deal with it. The more they are aware of the more equipped they are to plan a an enjoyable and healthy future.