Mesothelioma Construction workers, industrial workers, military veterans and others who worked with asbestos-contaminated products are at risk of developing mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos fibers repeatedly leads to chronic inflammation that damages mesothelium, causing DNA changes Malignant mesothelioma risk increases proportionally with exposure cumulatively and to the third or fourth power of time since the first exposure Symptoms can appear between 10 and fifty years after exposure Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is one type of cancer that occurs in the cells that surround the body's areas, referred to as the mesothelium This lining protects organs and other tissue by lubricating them, allowing they slide against each other without difficulty Malignant mesothelioma may be spread to various parts of the body, and affect the heart, lungs and abdomen Other symptoms include chest pain and fatigue The symptoms of mesothelioma may take between 10 and 50 years to manifest, which makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease It can also be confused with other diseases, such as the flu or pneumonia Patients may experience symptoms like difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, chest pain or a change in the form of the nails and fingers, called clubbing Patients with mesothelioma may also develop an accumulation of fluids in the chest peritoneal or belly This is known as an Pleural effusion As with lung cancer, mesothelioma is not detectable in imaging tests, like an X-ray or CT scan, until the cancer has progressed for several years In most cases, doctors will need to perform an examination to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis This can be done by bronchoscopy or a needle biopsy These diagnostic procedures assist doctors diagnose mesothelioma, and then determine the best treatment plan for patients Doctors can also review the history of a patient's asbestos exposure to determine if they are at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases Workers exposed to asbestos at work are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma and other diseases People who work in high-risk jobs include those employed in shipbuilding, construction and other blue-collar industries and veterans of the United States Armed Forces People who are exposed to asbestos workers also are at risk of mesothelioma, particularly if the worker brings home asbestos fibers on their clothing Anyone who has been diagnosed as having mesothelioma will benefit from visiting their doctor on a regular basis for a checkup, and discussing any health concerns related to asbestos This is important since mesothelioma could be mistaken for other illnesses like asbestosis Diagnosis Early signs of mesothelioma could look like flu, pneumonia or intestinal issues Patients may not experience symptoms until 10 to 50 years after asbestos exposure due to the long latency period Its similarity to other ailments also makes it hard to identify The symptoms of mesothelioma vary based on the area of the body that is affected The first step is to talk with your primary care physician or another doctor who can pinpoint the source of your symptoms They will request a full medical history and determine whether exposure to asbestos has been mentioned They will also conduct an examination and conduct basic tests like blood tests or X rays Depending on the mesothelioma type, a biopsy may be required to confirm the diagnosis The biopsy involves inserting a needle in the chest or abdomen to take a small portion of the tissue The tissue is then studied to determine if it contains mesothelioma cancerous Mesothelioma cancer cells can be epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and both types are malignant 70 of all mesothelioma are epithelioid the rest is sarcomatoid After a mesothelioma biopsied has been done, doctors can make a treatment plan They will refer the patient to an expert to determine the most effective treatment for their particular condition Mesothelioma is caused through the inhalation of microscopic asbestos fibers Asbestos is a class of minerals that appear as bundles of tiny, slender fibers These fibers are found in soil and rock and are typically released into the air during mining, construction and other activities Inhaling these fibers can cause inflammation in the lungs This can eventually cause mesothelioma to develop The cancer is typically centered in the lungs, but it can also form in the lining of the tummy peritoneal mesothelioma or in the testicles pericardial mesothelioma Treatment Mesothelioma also referred to as cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that invades nearby organs and tissues Cancerous cells may also expand to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system The treatment options for mesothelioma differ according to the type of cancer and the location Doctors are currently using chemotherapy and surgery to treat mesothelioma Radiation therapy is often used in combination with chemotherapy or surgery https//vimeocom/704893633 helps to decrease the pain and swelling caused by mesothelioma and destroy cancerous cells Asbestos exposure can trigger asbestosis, which is a non-cancerous disease that results in scarring of the lungs and other parts of the body It can also lead to mesothelioma which is a more serious form of asbestos illness that's typically fatal Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer is most often found in the lungs and abdomen Symptoms can include breathlessness, coughing, and chest pain X-rays or CT scans can detect mesothelioma The images that result show areas of higher density, which could indicate scar tissue or a tumor Doctors can conduct a bronchoscopy or needle biopsy to determine the difference A bronchoscopy is done by inserting an extremely thin flexible tube into the respiratory passages in order to see the tissue and take samples to test A needle biopsy involves injecting liquid into the area to remove a small amount of tissue for testing Both procedures are painful, however they aid in diagnosing asbestosis or mesothelioma The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other illnesses and can be present up to 50 years after the initial exposure The time between asbestos exposure and the onset of symptoms can make it difficult to identify the condition It is common for people to be misdiagnosed with other illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia Scientists don't know exactly the causes of mesothelioma however they do know that asbestos exposure increases the risk Asbestos can be ingested through industries like asbestos mining, manufacturing, and construction Workers also transport asbestos-containing substances to their homes and workplaces, where they may inhale or swallow the fibers Amphibole and snakeine asbestos fibers are the most common kinds of asbestos found in mesothelioma The serpentine type is usually less carcinogenic than the amphibole type however both types can cause illness Prognosis Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that lines internal organs It is typically caused by asbestos exposure as a grouping of minerals that are resistant to heat and sturdy It is believed that asbestos fibres enter the lungs, irritate the membranes, and eventually cause cancer This irritation can lead to genetic mutations that can result in the growth of tumours Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of ways, including manufacturing, mining, repairing or cleaning up asbestos products You may also be exposed at home by washing or wearing asbestos-containing clothes Certain people are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma based on their genetic or family history predisposition Mesothelioma patients can display many symptoms that are usually similar to other diseases It can be difficult to help doctors to recognize mesothelioma in its early stages It is important that people who have been exposed asbestos disclose their history to their doctor and have regular check-ups The majority of cases of mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure at work Studies have shown that exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma This is due to the fact that asbestos dust can travel from work sites to other areas in the area where people live Mesothelioma is more prevalent for those who live within 2000 meters of an asbestos mine or a cement plant Some people with mesothelioma develop a lung condition called asbestosis prior to the mesothelioma forming Asbestosis can cause the lungs to thicken and make it difficult for patients to breathe People suffering from this condition are more likely to require oxygen at home, and may have to undergo lung procedures such as the lobectomy Some people with mesothelioma also receive treatment for their symptoms Certain mesothelioma patients are given drugs to help breathe or participate in clinical trials for treatments that are experimental Early detection and treatment for mesothelioma may improve the chances of survival Some patients who have received multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery have been able to prolong their lives for as long as 10 years