Mesothelioma Caused by Asbestos Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops on the organ's linings that protect them It affects the pleura the lung's lining, peritoneum and pericardium Mesothelioma can be triggered by asbestos exposure The effects of exposure can take a long time to develop, especially if the exposure was prolonged Certain asbestos-related exposures brought asbestos fibres to their homes on their clothes Risk Factors Asbestos exposure is the leading cause mesothelioma It is a type of cancer that affects mesothelium, which covers and protects organs of the body Mesothelioma can be linked to several risk factors, including occupation, location and family history The symptoms of mesothelioma typically appear decades after asbestos exposure Exposure to asbestos triggers DNA mutations that affect a person's DNA The cells begin to become abnormal and grow uncontrollably The mutated cells eventually form tumors that can be spread to other areas of the body Mesothelioma is typically found in the lungs, stomach and the chest wall However, it can also be found in the heart, testicles and abdomen, as well as other organs There are many kinds of asbestos, and the different types have distinct risk levels For example, chrysotile asbestos is generally less hazardous than amphibole asbestos Even even if asbestos is less dangerous however, the risk of mesothelioma is still higher for those who are exposed to asbestos Some people develop mesothelioma after only a small amount of exposure to asbestos, or even no direct contact This is known as indirect or secondary exposure You could be exposed asbestos by people who you work with, by their clothing or other work-related materials or in a place that has asbestos, and then leaving it and inhaling the fibers of asbestos in the air The people who have the highest risk of developing mesothelioma are those in certain industries These include construction, shipbuilding and the energy sector These workers may have been exposed to asbestos during the manufacture and installation of insulation, roofs pipes, and other products Other workers are at a lower risk, however they should be be aware of the potential asbestos dangers These include painters as well as those who worked in power plants or in other settings that required extensive use of asbestos Researchers have discovered that an inherited mutation called the BAP1 gene increases the chance of developing mesothelioma This gene is responsible for the body's response to asbestos It isn't certain why the gene would mutate to make an individual more susceptible to the effects of asbestos Signs and symptoms Asbest fibres are released in the air when asbestos is used for industrial processes They may then be swallowed or inhaled by those working in the vicinity The fibres stick to linings of organs, such as the lung pleural mesothelioma, abdomen or heart peritoneal mesothelioma and irritate them Cancer cells develop and cause the growth and spread of cancer The symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain and abdominal distress It is important to not ignore any of these symptoms to your physician However, because these signs aren't necessarily specific to mesothelioma, doctors often misdiagnose them as other diseases This can lead to delayed treatment and a lower prognosis Mesothelioma is rare, so it's also hard for your doctor to tell whether you're susceptible to this disease without asking you about your asbestos exposure background That's why it's important to be able to describe your asbestos exposure history to your doctor This will allow your doctor to diagnose mesothelioma faster and more accurately The signs and symptoms of mesothelioma usually develop slowly They typically appear between 20 and 60 years after the last exposure to asbestos The lengthy time period between exposure and latency makes it difficult to attribute any health issues to asbestos exposure, especially when symptoms are not severe There are a variety of mesothelioma types, but the most prevalent is pleural mesothelioma It develops in the lungs The second most frequent form is peritoneal, which occurs in the lining of the abdomen Less common types of mesothelioma are the pericardial type, or a type that occurs in the sac that surrounds the heart and the tunica vaginalis mesothelioma an uncommon type that develops in the lining of a woman's reproductive tract All kinds of tests can be done to determine if mesothelioma is present, including imaging scans like X-rays and CT scans Doctors can also check for mesothelioma related fluid and tumors through ultrasound or MRI scans Mesothelioma isn't easy to diagnose because it can resemble other conditions such as pneumonia and cancer It's important to tell your doctor if you experience any asbestos-related symptoms and to ask for an appointment with an expert in mesothelioma Diagnosis Diagnosing mesothelioma is difficult It usually develops many years after exposure to asbestos and does not show any symptoms until the later stages If you notice any symptoms you should consult a physician Mesothelioma can be treated when it is detected early Your doctor will take a full medical history and ask about your exposure to asbestos They might also inquire about any family members who have suffered from mesothelioma or asbestos-related illnesses Your doctor might suggest further testing if you have an antecedent that involves asbestos exposure Asbestos is a group of minerals that form thin strong fibres It was used in many consumer products, building materials and automobile parts in the 20th century before manufacturers realized it caused health problems Most mesothelioma cases are related to workplace exposure to asbestos Exposure to asbestos could cause mesothelioma to the lung linings or stomach peritoneal or heart It is not yet known how mesothelioma forms It is believed that the asbestos fibres are absorbed by the body's internal tissues, where they cause irritation and scarring healthy cells, which could cause cancer The doctor may request a fluid sample to conduct further tests should you find fluid in your chest cavity or abdomen The fluid can be taken for a biopsy to determine if it contains cancerous cells of mesothelioma If https//vimeocom/704879382 is detected, your doctor will confirm it to be mesothelioma The doctor will also determine which type you are suffering from 1 Pleural 2 Peritoneal 3 Biphasic Your doctor may suggest imaging tests like chest X rays or computed Tomography CT scans, or magnetic resonance imaging These tests can help doctors see the location of the mesothelioma and the extent of the tumor Your doctor may also suggest additional tests in the lab to identify mesothelioma These tests could include a cellular-staining test that detects cancerous cells, and a blood test that checks for certain types of proteins released by dying cells Treatment Asbestos is one of the fibrous minerals that can be common in construction materials When they are disturbed, tiny particles are released in the air which can be inhaled or swallowed The fibers then settle into the lung and cause inflammation This leads to the development of scar tissue as well as changes in the structure of cells, which can eventually lead to mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of ways, such as construction work that disturbs the material or the removal of it It can also happen due to past exposure to asbestos in the home, since asbestos was commonly taken home in clothing or hair The disease may be transmitted to family members by this contact It could take up to 60 years before symptoms appear after an initial exposure Once it does, however patients can experience a variety of symptoms These include coughing, chest pain and breathing difficulties X-rays and blood tests can be used to diagnose pleural Mesothelioma They can also test specific enzymes that the body releases when exposed to asbestos These enzymes aid doctors in determining what type of mesothelioma the patient is suffering from and how severe it is Doctors can perform surgery on a patient to reduce breathlessness due to fluid buildup VATS video assisted thoracoscopic is the name of the procedure During the procedure, a surgeon inserts a tube into the throat and lung, and removes the lining around the chest wall and lungs They may inject a sterile solution that causes the chest to close and prevent swelling from returning Palliative care is a different treatment that helps patients manage symptoms and improve the quality of life This can include medication or support groups, as well as other therapies This may also include assisted respiration Avoiding exposure to asbestos is the best way to lower your risk of developing mesothelioma This includes being cautious in older buildings where asbestos was used to insulate, pipes or other purposes Consult your physician for any unusual or persistent mesothelioma symptoms