https//vimeocom/704915755 is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos Inhaling asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma pleural and swallowing asbestos can lead to mesothelioma peritoneal The symptoms may manifest 10 to 50 years after the initial diagnosis Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and abdominal distress Risk Factors Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres get into the body Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or lungs Less commonly, mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum or in the membrane around the heart pericardium It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to develop and show symptoms, which can often be mistaken for flu-like illnesses Mesothelioma typically affects older people, and is more common in men than women The biggest risk factor for mesothelioma involves exposure to asbestos Asbestos is a natural mineral composed of tiny fibres which were utilized in building materials, such as ceilings and walls, because of its resistance fire and heat It was also widely employed in the production of goods such as pipes, insulation, shingles and cement Workers in industries where asbestos was a common ingredient, such as shipbuilding, mining, or construction are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma Even those who have only been exposed to asbestos for a short period of time, such as family who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk A small portion of mesothelioma cases are linked to a gene mutation called BAP1 This genetic mutation increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos The patient's age is also an indicator of risk Mesothelioma is most common among those older than 45 years, and two thirds of those diagnosed with it are 65 years or older This is due in part to the lengthy latency period that is associated with asbestos exposure but it may be due to the fact that the disease tends to impact older patients who have experienced 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 that put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups Mesothelioma is most often afflicted by those who were exposed asbestos prior to the 1980s, when more stringent regulations were in place Symptoms Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, develops in the linings that protect various organs The cancerous tumors that form in the tissue can damage them and cause severe pain The malignancy can extend to other areas of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to other diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu They often take 10 - 50 years to show up after exposure to asbestos This delay in time makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma in the early stages, and the symptoms can be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses In the majority of cases, malignant tumors originate in the lungs and chest cavity pleura Mesothelioma is also able to develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and the heart In rare cases the disease can affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart pericardium Asbestos is a grouping of minerals which form long, thin fibres These fibers are strong enough that they can't be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria These materials were used widely in various construction and household products for a long time before scientists realized the dangers they pose for health Most mesothelioma cases were caused due to exposure to asbestos at work or home The majority of patients exposed were employed by the US Navy, Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction It is more prevalent in males than females and veterans comprise about 30 percent of mesothelioma cases When mesothelioma develops doctors can spot it with imaging scans and medical tests These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans The doctor could also take a sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory to be tested The results will aid in determining the mesothelioma's stage and type, which impacts prognosis as well as treatment options Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and between 10 and 15 percent are biphasic or mixed Epithelioid cancer is less aggressive and typically has the highest survival rates Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to identify and has a poorer prognosis Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to identify, especially in its early stages The first step is to see their primary care doctor with any signs, like chest pains or coughing The doctor will utilize a stethoscope to listen to the patient breathing and take note of their health and work history This includes any asbestos exposure background, which is essential to determine mesothelioma's presence Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can make the diagnosis, as mesothelioma signs are similar to other diseases For example the cancer is often spread to a person's lungs from another part of the body, for instance, their abdomen or chest wall Asbestos victims are prone to lung diseases, such as pneumonia, and pleural mesothelioma symptoms may be confused with other respiratory ailments Tests for blood, imaging and biopsy are all used to identify mesothelioma These tests aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is most typically in the lungs, but can also be in the stomach or testicles The tests will help doctors determine how far the cancer has spread within the body A CT scan or MRI may reveal mesothelioma signs, such as calcium deposits in the pleura known as plaque and a buildup of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall These tests can also show whether a patient has more lung tissue on one side or the other In many cases biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma This procedure involves taking a small amount of tissue and testing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cell Certain patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography PET, allowing doctors to examine the lymph nodes that are located in the middle of the chest and to take samples of them, or endobronchial ultrasonography EBUS using sound waves to study the mesothelium and lungs Mesothelioma is a rare condition and doctors are still learning to treat it effectively As a result those diagnosed with the cancer must weigh their options carefully to decide which treatment is the best for them Treatment Mesothelioma can affect the linings of the lungs, abdomen peritoneal cancer, or heart pericardial cancer The symptoms usually don't show up for a long time after exposure to asbestos It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos be checked if they experience any strange symptoms A doctor will review your medical history in order to determine if you're at mesothelioma risk This includes how long and how often you were exposed to asbestos The doctor will also conduct an examination to detect symptoms of mesothelioma for example, fluid accumulation in the chest cavity The type of cells found in mesothelium, as well as the location of those cells, are used to categorize mesothelioma The most popular type of mesothelioma is epithelioid, and accounts for up 60 to the majority of mesothelioma patients Other mesothelioma types include biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid that make up between 10 and 15 of all mesothelioma cases There are many different treatments available to people suffering from mesothelioma The kind of treatment is contingent on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease In some instances, mesothelioma is treated using chemotherapy or radiation In these procedures, doctors administer powerful chemotherapy medications or use special equipment to eliminate cancerous cells and reduce the risk of mesothelioma returning Other mesothelioma types can be treated through surgery, which removes parts of the tissue lining of the organ affected It can also alleviate symptoms like breathing problems A person with asbestosis pleural may undergo a procedure called VATS This involves inserting a camera into the lungs and removing a part of the lung and pleura This procedure can help improve breathing problems caused by the build-up of fluid in the lungs, however it is not a cure for the disease Other treatment options could include support and pain management It is crucial that those suffering from mesothelioma receive as much information on the disease as possible and how to deal with it The more educated they are more prepared they will be to prepare for a future that includes a wide range of wellness and health activities