Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma which is a cancerous tumor caused by asbestos exposure is a serious disease Inhaling asbestos fibers causes mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal mesothelioma The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious illnesses They may take between 10 and 50 years before they appear https//vimeocom/704933805 can include chest pain, abdominal distress and a shortness of breath Risk Factors Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres get into the body The most well-known mesothelioma type is mesothelioma that is found in the chest cavity's lining and the lungs Less commonly, mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, or the heart's membrane pericardium The cancer can take up to 50 years to develop before it manifests symptoms The symptoms are often mistaken for flu like illnesses Mesothelioma is most prevalent in older people and is more common in males than females The main risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure asbestos Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres that were used in construction materials, including ceilings and walls because of its resistance heat and fire It was also used extensively in the manufacture of goods such as pipes, insulations shingles and cement Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for those who work in industries that make use of asbestos, like shipbuilding, mining or construction Even those who have only had a second exposure to asbestos, such as family who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk A small percentage less than 5 of mesothelioma can be traced to mutations in the BAP1 gene This genetic mutation increases the risk of developing mesothelioma in people who have been exposed to asbestos Age is another important risk factor for mesothelioma Mesothelioma is most common in those who are older than 45 years, and two thirds of those diagnosed with it are 65 years or older This is due to the lengthy time between exposure to asbestos However, it could also be that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the long-term exposure to asbestos Mesothelioma is more common in white males than in women or those belonging to any other racial group This is due to the fact that historically, more white males worked in occupations that put them at greater risk of exposure to asbestos than other groups Additionally, mesothelioma was most often seen in those who were exposed to asbestos before better regulations were put into the 1980s Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos, develops in the protective linings of many organs The cancerous tumors can cause severe pain and damage the tissue The malignancy could be spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic or bloodstream system Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu It could take up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before showing symptoms This time of latency makes it difficult to identify mesothelioma early Additionally, the symptoms may be misinterpreted as other diseases In most cases, the malignant tumors begin in the chest cavity and lungs pleura Mesothelioma is also able to form in the linings surrounding the heart and abdomen In rare cases, it 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 strong that they aren't broken down by water, chemicals or bacteria These materials were widely used in a variety of construction and household products before scientists realized the dangers they posed to the lives of people The majority of mesothelioma cases were triggered by exposure to asbestos at work or home The majority of patients exposed were employed in the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction It is more common in women than men and veterans comprise about 30 of mesothelioma cases If mesothelioma begins to develop, doctors can identify it with imaging scans and medical tests These include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans The doctor can also collect a sample of the tissue and send it to a lab for testing The results can aid in determining the mesothelioma's stage and type which affects the prognosis and treatment options The majority of mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid Between 10 percent and 15 percent of cases are biphasic, or mixed Epithelioid mesothelioma is usually less aggressive and has the best survival rates Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to diagnose and has a poorer prognosis Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages The first step is to visit their primary care physician if they experience any symptoms, such as coughing or chest pains The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the patient breathing and then record their health and work history This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is important to determine if mesothelioma is present Because mesothelioma's symptoms resemble other diseases, doctors must exclude other conditions prior to confirming the diagnosis For example the cancer is often spread to the lungs of a patient from another part of their body, for instance, their chest wall or abdomen Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common among asbestos victims Pleural mesothelioma can be confused with other respiratory illnesses Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests, imaging tests and biopsies These tests help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is most typically in the lungs, but could also be found in the stomach or the testicles The tests can help doctors determine the extent to which the cancer has spread in the body A CT scan or MRI could reveal signs of mesothelioma These include calcium deposits also known as plaque in the pleura and an accumulation between the lungs' and chest wall's walls These tests can also show whether the lungs of a person are more on one side than the other In many cases, a biopsied is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma This involves removing small portions of tissue and analyzing them in the lab for mesothelioma Some patients may require additional tests, for example FDG-positron emission tomography PET which allows doctors to see how the tumor is affecting blood supply to the lungs; mediastinoscopy, which permits doctors to examine and collect lymph nodes that are located in the center of the chest and endobronchial ultrasound EBUS, which uses sound waves to study the mesothelium and lungs Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is being treated by doctors In the end those diagnosed with the cancer must weigh their options carefully to decide what treatment is best for them Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the lung linings or abdomen peritoneal cancer or the heart pericardial cancer The symptoms typically do not show up until a few years 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 look over your medical history to determine if you're at mesothelioma-related risks This includes how long and intensely you were exposed to asbestos A doctor can also perform an exam to check for signs of mesothelioma such as the accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity Mesothelioma is categorized by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium, and where those cells are located The most common type of mesothelioma is epithelioid It makes up to 60 to 80 of mesothelioma cases Other types of mesothelioma include sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic that account for 10 to 15 of all mesothelioma cases There are many different treatment options for patients with mesothelioma The type of treatment you choose depends 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 use powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to destroy tumors This lowers the risk of mesothelioma recurring Other types of mesothelioma may be treated through surgery that removes a portion of the lining of the affected organ This may also help alleviate symptoms like breathing difficulties A person with pleural asbestosis may undergo a procedure called VATS This involves placing a camera in the lung and then removing a piece of the pleura and lung This procedure can alleviate the breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, but does not cure the disease Other treatment options could include support and management of pain It is essential for patients with mesothelioma to get 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 prepare for a future that includes a full range of health and wellness-related activities