Mesothelioma - An Asbestos Illness Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the protective linings of certain organs It is typically found in the lungs but it can also grow in the abdomen or chest wall People who have been exposed to asbestos for a long period and at high levels are at risk of developing this condition It can take between 10 and 50 years before mesothelioma begins to show symptoms Symptoms Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor that affects certain organs of the body is usually the result of asbestos exposure It is most often found in the lung's lining pleural mesothelioma however, it could also be found in the stomach lining or the heart, or even the testes It is most common in people aged between 60 to 80 years old, and is more prevalent in women than males The exposure to asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma, and the signs of cancer typically appear between 10 and 50 years after exposure to the mineral This is due to the fact that asbestos fibers that are breathed in or consumed may remain dormant in organ linings before they cause health issues Early mesothelioma symptoms are often mistaken for other ailments like pneumonia, influenza or lung problems This can make it difficult for doctors and patients to identify the condition In the latter mesothelioma's advanced stages patients can suffer more severe and painful symptoms The type of symptoms that show up depend on the location of the cancer and pleural mesothelioma typically causes chest pain and breathing problems, whereas peritoneal mesothelioma can cause abdominal pain or swelling Patients suffering from mesothelioma in its advanced stages may also experience nausea, fatigue and weight loss Cancer cells can spread from lymph nodes into the bloodstream in some instances This can aggravate existing symptoms and trigger new ones to appear Doctors can assist in diagnosing mesothelioma through examining the patient and requesting their history of exposure to asbestos The doctor will refer the patient to additional tests, such as imaging technologies which can see inside the body, and determine the extent to which cancer has spread These technologies can also be used to assess the treatment plan, monitor a patient's reaction to treatments and even stage a cancer Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer, affects the linings of certain organs Exposure to asbestos is the reason It can take anywhere between 15 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma develop It is most often found in the Pleura lungs, but it can also occur in the peritoneum or pericardium Mesothelioma cannot be cured but treatment can manage symptoms Workers in industries that use asbestos are more at chance of developing the disease People who have been exposed to asbestos in other ways, such as living in a house or school that has been exposed asbestos, are also at risk Mesothelioma is most common in those over 75 and males are more likely to get it than women Mesothelioma has been linked to various jobs, however the majority involve people who worked directly with asbestos or who worked in areas with substantial asbestos exposure like construction sites, mines, and asbestos insulation plants These include shipyard workers and electricians as along with painters, painters, and other tradespeople Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring minerals which are small fibers It can be found in rocks and soil around the globe Asbestos fibers are released into the air when asbestos is disturbed The fibers can be breathed in Inhaling these fibers can lead to lung damage and respiratory conditions such as asbestosis In time, they could cause malignant mesothelioma, a form of cancer The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to have a doctor to conduct a thorough medical history and then examine the patient They will ask about the person's asbestos exposure and perform a chest X radiograph and CT scan The doctor will employ a needle to extract a sample of fluid from the affected region The sample will be analyzed for mesothelioma They may also take an examination of the affected tissue to confirm mesothelioma If a doctor suspects mesothelioma they will likely refer the person to a specialist The specialist will conduct further tests and establish the treatment plan Treatment Mesothelioma can be a life-threatening disease People who have been in contact with asbestos should talk to their physician about the history and have regular screenings Symptoms of mesothelioma typically appear years after exposure to asbestos Mesothelioma is a disease with a long latency period that can make it difficult to identify The outlook for mesothelioma patients is generally very good when the disease is diagnosed early and treated aggressively Asbestos is made up of a grouping of minerals that contain microscopic fibers These fibers are resistant to fire, heat and chemicals and don't conduct electricity Asbestos was previously used extensively in construction and other industries because of its properties However, the health risks associated with asbestos were not fully understood until recently People who have been exposed to asbestos should tell their doctor if they have persistent symptoms like a dry cough, breathing difficulties or changes in the shape of fingers and toes finger clubbing Mesothelioma can also cause other ailments, such as the inflammatory lung condition that causes scarring of the lungs This can lead to serious respiratory issues and a decrease in the quality of a patient's life There are three types of mesothelioma malignant mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and mysothelioma sarcomatoid The type of mesothelioma patients suffer from will determine the treatment options and outlook The most common mesothelioma type is mesothelioma of the pleural region that affects the lining of the lungs pleura https//vimeocom/704888318 can cause this type of cancer that can take up 50 years to develop and can cause obvious symptoms It is often associated with chest pain and fluid accumulation in the pleura Pleural mesothelioma can be diagnosed with tests like a CT scan, an MRI and biopsy These tests can identify bumps and lumps in the pleura This helps doctors determine the kind of mesothelioma a patient is suffering from Mesothelioma types vary according to cell type and rate of growth Epithelioid is the most common form with a rate of 60 to the majority of Sarcomatoid is less common than epithelioid and grows faster Biphasic mesothelioma that combines epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid types of cells is uncommon The mesothelioma type can affect the rate of recurrence Prevention Workers who work with asbestos or reside in an area where materials containing asbestos are disposed of have the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma However, mesothelioma could also be caused by living near an asbestos mine or a factory, exposure to airborne fibers from asbestos deposits naturally occurring, or having a family member that worked with asbestos Asbestos is a variety of naturally occurring minerals containing microscopic fibers The mineral was used to create various construction materials due to its durability and fire resistance Workers who work with asbestos are exposed to tiny particles of the mineral when the materials they work with are dissolved or when removing these products from their workplace These fibers can cause irritation of the organ's linings when they are inhaled or ingested Mesothelioma is usually the result of years of exposure to asbestos Mesothelioma symptoms are often similar to those of more common diseases such as lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis Due to this, mesothelioma is often incorrectly diagnosed This means that patients are treated improperly or don't receive the care they require A biopsy is the most efficient method to identify mesothelioma In a biopsy, doctors remove tissue and examine it under a magnifying microscope to determine if it's cancerous The majority of mesothelioma cases are due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace The most risky group is miners, workers in the manufacturing of asbestos-containing products, like insulation railroad, automotive, shipbuilders and gas mask manufacturers It has been found that family members of asbestos workers may be at risk of mesothelioma as a result of the clothing they wear at home It isn't fully known what causes mesothelioma, or why some people are more at risk of developing the disease than others Researchers believe that a number of factors are responsible, which include the amount and duration of exposure to asbestos, a person’s genes, and if they've had radiation treatment in the past