Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma which is a cancerous tumor caused by asbestos exposure is a serious disease. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause pleural cancer, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal region.
Symptoms may mimic symptoms of less serious illnesses and can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to appear. The symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain and breathlessness.
Risk Factors
Mesothelioma is a form of asbestos that develops when asbestos fibres enter the body. The most commonly encountered mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which forms 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 form and to show signs, which can often be mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most common in older people and more common in males than females.
The exposure to asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres which were used in construction materials, like ceilings and walls, because of its resistance heat and fire. It was also extensively employed in the production of goods such as pipes insulation, shingles, and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was prevalent, such as construction, mining or shipbuilding are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma. However, even those who only had a secondary exposure to asbestos like relatives who brought home asbestos on their clothes and skin, are at risk.
A small percentage of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a genetic mutation known as BAP1. This genetic change can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos.
The age of the patient is also an important risk factor. Mesothelioma is most common in people older than 45 years, and two thirds of those diagnosed with it are 65 years or older. This is partly due to the long latency period due to asbestos exposure, but it may also be because the disease tends to impact older those who have had a longer-term and more intense exposure to the cancer-causing material.
White males are more likely develop mesothelioma more than any other race or gender. This is because historically more white men have been employed in occupations which put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma is usually seen in people who were exposed to asbestos prior to when more stringent regulations were put in during the 1980s.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related tumor that forms in the protective linings around several body organs. The cancerous tumors that form in the tissue can damage them and cause severe pain. The malignancy could expand to other areas through the lymphatic or bloodstream system.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may be similar to other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. It could take up to 50 years following asbestos exposure before they show symptoms. The time of latency can make it difficult to detect the disease early, and symptoms may be misinterpreted as other conditions.
The majority of malignant tumors originate in the chest cavity, or lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma may also develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and heart. In eau claire asbestos attorney can affect the lining around the heart or the testes.
Asbestos is one of the minerals that form long, thin fibers. These fibers are so tough that they cannot be broken down by chemical and water, or by bacteria. These materials were used widely in various household and construction materials for a long time before scientists realized how harmful they were to people's health.
Most mesothelioma cases were caused due to exposure to asbestos at work or home. The majority of patients exposed worked for the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. It is more prevalent among males than females and veterans account for around 30 percent of mesothelioma patients.
Medical tests and imaging scans can aid in diagnosing mesothelioma. This includes X-rays CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also send a sample of tissue to a laboratory for analysis.
The results will allow doctors to determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which affects the prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid. Between 10 percent and 15% of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less invasive and usually has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is more difficult to treat.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify, especially in its early stages. Patients should first consult their primary care physician when they experience any symptoms such as chest pain or coughing. The doctor will examine the patient's breathing with an stethoscope, and record their work and health history. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is crucial to determine if mesothelioma is present.
Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can confirm a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Cancer can spread to the lungs of a patient from other organs such as the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, such as pneumonia, are common among asbestos sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma can be confused with other respiratory illnesses.
Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy are all used to identify mesothelioma. These tests aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is most commonly in the lungs but can also be in the stomach or testicles. The tests will also assist doctors determine the extent of the cancer is spreading throughout the body.
A CT scan or MRI could reveal mesothelioma-related signs. These include calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura and an accumulation of lung tissue' and chest wall's walls. These tests can also reveal whether a person's lungs are more pronounced on one side or the other.
In many cases, a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking small quantities of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma.
Some patients may require additional tests like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which allows doctors to look at the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest, and to sample them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) using sound waves to study the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and doctors are still learning to treat it effectively. In the end patients diagnosed with the cancer must weigh their options carefully to decide what treatment is best for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the lungs and abdomen (peritoneal cancer) or the heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms typically do not show up until a few decades after exposure to asbestos. It is essential that those who have been exposed to asbestos should be examined if they exhibit any strange symptoms.
A doctor will conduct an medical history to look for mesothelioma-related risk factors, such as how long and how intensely an individual was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also conduct an exam to look for signs of mesothelioma, for example, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. The type of cells found in the mesothelium and the location of these cells, are used to classify mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is epithelioid. It makes up to 60% to the majority of mesothelioma patients. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid, which both account for approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma cases.
There are a myriad of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type and stage of mesothelioma.
In some instances, mesothelioma may be treated with radiation or chemotherapy. In these procedures doctors inject powerful cancer-fighting drugs or utilize special equipment to eliminate tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma coming back.
Other mesothelioma types can be treated surgically that removes a portion of the tissues of the organ that are affected. It can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing problems.
A person suffering from pleural asbestosis may undergo a procedure referred to as VATS. This involves inserting a camera into the lung and then removing a portion of the lung and pleura. 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 and management of pain. It is essential for patients suffering from mesothelioma to obtain as much information as possible about the disease and ways to deal with it. The more knowledgeable they are and the more they are able to plan for a future that includes a variety of health and wellness activities.