houseknot62

Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a tumor that can be cancerous caused by asbestos exposure is a serious illness. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can cause mesothelioma peritoneal. Symptoms can appear within 10 to 50 years of the initial diagnosis. The symptoms could include chest pain, abdominal distress and a shortness of breath. Risk Factors Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma that is found in the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. Mesothelioma can also develop in the peritoneum (the membrane surrounding the heart) or the pericardium. The cancer may take up to 50 years to manifest symptoms. The symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like symptoms. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in older people and more prevalent in males than females. The exposure to asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of tiny fibres that were used in building materials, such as ceilings and walls because of its resistance to heat and fire. It was also widely used in the manufacturing of goods like pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is an extremely serious illness for those working in industries that employ asbestos, like shipbuilding, mining, or construction. However even those who had a secondary exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothing and skin, are at risk. Alexandria asbestos attorneys of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic change can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos. Age is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most common among people over 45 years old and two-thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years old or older. This is due in part to the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, however, it could also be because the disease tends to affect older those who have had a more extensive and prolonged exposure to asbestos-related material. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in white males than females or members of any other race. This is due to the fact that historically more white men have worked in occupations that expose them to greater risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma was usually seen in people who were exposed to asbestos before more stringent regulations were put in the 1980s. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that forms in the protective linings around several body organs. The cancerous tumors can cause severe discomfort and cause damage to the tissue. The malignancy can extend to other areas of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to those of other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza. It could take up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before showing symptoms. This delay in time makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms can be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses. In most cases, the malignant tumors start in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma is also able to develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and heart. In rare instances the disease may affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that forms long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they cannot be broken down by chemicals or water, or even bacteria. They were commonly used in a variety of construction and household products before scientists realized how hazardous they were to the lives of people. The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused due to exposure to asbestos at work or home. The majority of patients who were exposed worked for the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. It is more prevalent among women than men and veterans account for around 30% of mesothelioma cases. Medical tests and imaging scans can aid in diagnosing mesothelioma. These include X rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also take a sample of the tissue and send it to a lab for testing. The results will aid in determining the type and stage of mesothelioma which affects the outlook for treatment and options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15 percent of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma tends to be less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma can be more difficult to detect and has a lower prognosis. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to detect especially in its initial stages. Patients should first visit their primary care physician if they experience any symptoms such as chest pains or coughing. The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the patient's breathing and record their health and work history. This includes any asbestos exposure background, which is essential in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis. Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can confirm the diagnosis since mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. For example the cancer is often spread to a person's lungs from another part of their body, such as their chest wall or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, such as pneumonia, are very common among asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma can be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses. Mesothelioma can be detected with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests can aid doctors in identifying the cancerous region, which is usually in the lungs, but may also be found in the stomach or in 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 can reveal signs of mesothelioma, such as calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and an accumulation of fluid 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 needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the lab for mesothelioma. Certain patients may require additional tests like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to examine the lymph nodes that are located in the middle of the chest, and to take samples of them, or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), using sound waves to study the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, is currently being treated by medical professionals. Therefore, patients who are diagnosed with cancer need to weigh their options carefully to decide which treatment is the best for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms are not usually evident for several decades following exposure to asbestos. It is crucial that those who have been exposed to asbestos should be checked if they experience any strange symptoms. A doctor will review your medical history to determine if you are at risk of mesothelioma risks. This includes how long and how often you were exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an examination to detect signs of mesothelioma, like the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium and the location of those cells. The most common type of mesothelioma is epithelioid, and accounts for up between 60 and 80percent of mesothelioma cases. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid, which both represent about 10% to 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are a myriad of treatment options for mesothelioma. The kind of treatment you choose depends on the type and stage of mesothelioma. In certain cases, mesothelioma may be treatable through radiation or chemotherapy. During these treatments doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or utilize special equipment to kill tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma coming back. Other mesothelioma types can be treated with surgery that removes a portion of the lining of the affected organ. This can also help relieve breathing difficulties and other symptoms. A person suffering from asbestosis pleural may undergo a procedure called VATS. This involves placing a camera in the lungs and removing a part of the lung and pleura. This procedure can alleviate breathing problems caused by the build-up of fluid in the lungs, however it does not cure the disease. Other treatment options may include support and pain management. 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 are to plan a a healthy and happy future.