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Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma which is a cancerous tumor that is caused by asbestos exposure is a serious disease. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area. These symptoms can be a sign of less serious illnesses and may take between 10 and 50 years before they appear. The symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and breathlessness. Risk Factors Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the linings of the chest cavity or lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum or in the membrane around the heart (pericardium). The cancer can take up to 50 years to manifest symptoms. The symptoms are often mistaken for flu like illnesses. Mesothelioma most often affects older people, and is more common in men than women. The exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos, a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres, was utilized as a building material for example, in ceilings and walls. It is abrasive to heat and fire. It was also used in the manufacturing of goods like pipes insulation, shingles, insulation and cement. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for those who work in industries that employ asbestos, for example mining, shipbuilding or construction. Even those who have only had secondary exposure to asbestos such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk. A small percentage of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a mutation in the gene 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 important risk factor. Mesothelioma is most common in those who are older than 45 years, and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with the disease are 65 years old or older. This is partly due to the long latency time associated with asbestos exposure, but it may be due to the fact that the condition tends to affect older patients who have experienced more prolonged and heavy exposure to asbestos-related material. White males are more likely develop mesothelioma than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically, more white men have worked in occupations which put them at a higher risk of asbestos than other groups. In addition, mesothelioma is typically seen in people who were exposed to asbestos prior to when more stringent regulations were put in the 1980s. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that develops in the protective linings of several body organs. The cancerous tumors which form in the tissue could cause irreparable damage and pain. The malignancy may expand to other areas through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to symptoms of other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu. It usually takes between 10 and 50 years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This delay in time makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms can be misinterpreted as other diseases. The majority of malignant tumors start in the chest cavity, or lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma can also develop in the linings around the abdomen and the heart. In rare instances the disease may affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is one of the minerals that make long, thin fibers. These fibers are so durable that they are unable to be broken down by chemical or water, or even bacteria. They were commonly used in a variety construction and household products before scientists realised how harmful they were to the lives of people. The majority of patients with mesothelioma were exposed to the material in the workplace or at home and the majority of those who were exposed were employed in the US Navy and the air force, the construction or shipbuilding industries. It is more prevalent in males than females and veterans account for about 30% of mesothelioma cases. Imaging scans and medical tests 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 laboratory for testing. The results can help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which affects the prognosis and treatment options. Bellevue asbestos attorney of mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15% of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less aggressive and usually has the highest survival rate. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is more difficult to detect and has a poorer prognosis. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose particularly in its early stages. Patients should consult their primary physician if they experience any symptoms such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will listen to the patient's breathing through an stethoscope, and record their health 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, as mesothelioma signs are like those of other diseases. For instance, the cancer often spreads to the lungs of a patient from another part of the body, for instance, the chest wall or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common among asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma could also be mistaken for other respiratory diseases. Mesothelioma can be detected with blood tests, imaging tests and biopsies. These tests can help doctors identify the cancerous site which is usually located in the lungs but can also be found in the testicles or stomach. The tests will also assist doctors determine the extent of the cancer is spreading in the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma-related 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 determine whether a person has lungs on one side or the other. In many cases, a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing some of the tissue and analyzing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cells. Some patients may need additional tests, for example FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which can help doctors see how the tumor is affecting blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which allows doctors to examine and sample lymph nodes that are located in the center of the chest and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which makes use of sound waves to look at the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, is currently being treated by doctors. As a result, patients who are diagnosed with cancer must be aware of their options and decide what treatment is best for them. Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms are not usually evident for several decades after asbestos exposure. Because of this, it's crucial for those who have had to work with asbestos to get checked out for any unusual symptoms. A doctor will look over your medical history in order to determine if you're at mesothelioma risks. This includes how long and how often you were exposed to asbestos. A doctor can also perform an examination to determine mesothelioma signs, such as an accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium and the location of those cells. Epithelioid-like mesothelioma comprises 60 to 80% of mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma include biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid, which account for 10% to 15% of all mesothelioma cases. There are a myriad of treatments available to people suffering from mesothelioma. The kind of treatment is contingent on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease. In certain cases, mesothelioma is treatable through radiation or chemotherapy. During these treatments, doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or use special equipment to destroy cancerous tumors and decrease the chance of mesothelioma returning. Other types of mesothelioma can be treated through surgery that eliminates a part of the lining of the affected organ. This can also help relieve symptoms like breathing difficulties. A person suffering from asbestosis pleural can undergo a procedure known as VATS. This involves placing a camera in the lungs and removing a part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lung. However, it does not treat mesothelioma. Other options for treatment include support and pain management. It is important for people who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather the most information they can about the disease and ways to cope with it. The more they know the more prepared they are to plan a the best possible and happy future.