Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of organs, including the lungs pleura and abdomen It's usually caused by exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of tiny fibres It can take between 20 and 60 years after exposure before mesothelioma begins to appear X-rays and blood tests can help diagnose mesothelioma, as well as show how far it has spread Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural Mesothelioma is caused by malignant cells that develop in the lining of the lungs https//vimeocom/704938939 is a two-layered tissue that surrounds numerous organs Cancerous pleural msothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs or chest wall This can cause symptoms such as breathlessness as well as chest pain and difficulty breathing Asbestos is the primary cause of pleural mesothelioma Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause damage to the lining of the lungs This could cause scarring and inflammation that may trigger changes that result in out-of-control cell growth Some people exposed to asbestos might not be able to recognize symptoms until years after the initial exposure This is due to the fact that mesothelioma can take several years or more to develop Men and people born male are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma Other common diagnoses include older people working in industries that employed asbestos in large quantities prior to the time it was regulated, or those who served in the Navy The symptoms vary depending on the area of the tumor The symptoms are usually caused by pressure or swelling around the affected lung The symptoms could include back or chest pains or weight loss that isn't explained, and fatigue X-rays, CT or MRI scans can be used to determine if there are other conditions that could be causing similar symptoms If pleural asbestosis is identified doctors will determine the stage of the cancer to determine the most effective treatment options The International Mesothelioma Interest Group has created the staging system The first step to determining the stage of the disease is to take a biopsy and review the patient's medical records X-rays and a chest MRI can be used to determine whether there are any abnormalities or tumors that indicate mesothelioma There are three different kinds of mesothelioma which can be categorized based on the type of cells that form Epithelioid Mesothelioma The most commonly encountered kind of malignant mesothelioma 60 percent to 80 of cases It is more easily treated in comparison to other types Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is the second-most frequent kind of mesothelioma between 10 percent and 15 percent of cases It is more difficult to treat than epithelioid melanoma Peritoneal Mesothelioma The peritoneum the liner of the abdominal cavity is affected by peritoneal mesothelioma It is less frequent than the pleural type Like all mesotheliomas, the cause of peritoneal cancer is asbestos exposure However, unlike pleural mesothelioma, people are more likely to develop this form of mesothelioma when they consume asbestos fibers, rather than inhaling asbestos particles This type of mesothelioma typically occurs in older individuals and is more prevalent for women than men The early stages of mesothelioma are difficult to recognize because of the lack of specificity Experts in mesothelioma have the expertise to diagnose the disease Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma using detailed patient histories and imaging and blood tests A doctor will use the TNM system to determine the stage of cancer following an mesothelioma diagnosis This staging system describes how the tumors are spreading and influences treatment options The lower the stage, the more treatment options are available Since peritoneal mesothelioma can be so rare, it is hard to recognize It can present with symptoms that are similar to other conditions that affect the abdomen and gastrointestinal tract, such as abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss For this reason, patients with unprovoked symptoms should consult a physician The doctor will perform a physical examination and take basic blood tests If these tests reveal a possible cancer, an oncologist will perform more in-depth diagnostic tests, like biopsies This will provide a clear picture of the patient's health, and identify any possible mesothelioma-related signs Asbestos is the most significant reason for mesothelioma Asbestos exposure can happen in the workplace but also at home or in schools Asbestos exposure is most dangerous when it occurs over a long period of time Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos dust or particles entering the body and causing inflammation or irritation In time inflammation and irritation could cause cells to mutate and turn cancerous The cancerous tissue that has been created can spread to other tissues and cause symptoms like abdominal discomfort as well as weight gain, fever and swelling Cardiovascular Mesothelioma Pericardial Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, affects the pericardium or heart's lining This type of mesothelioma is less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases, and is one of the most difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of heart disease This is why many people are diagnosed of heart disease before doctors confirm that they have mesothelioma of the pericardium Like other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure It is thought that asbestos fibers enter the pericardium through the bloodstream These fibers can be transported to other organs such as the heart Pericardial mesothelioma typically occurs in the outer layer of the pericardium but it can also occur in the inner layer Pericardial mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis than other types of mesothelioma The signs of pericardial mesothelioma can include chest pain, difficulty breathing and fatigue It is important that victims undergo a thorough medical exam due to the fact that this type of mesothelioma can be found in very few It is essential that patients inform their doctor if they have had any asbestos exposure in the past A CT scan or an echocardiogram is typically the first step to diagnose mesothelioma These tests can detect an accumulation of fluid around the heart, as well as visible pericardial tumors If these tests reveal mesothelioma, doctors can carry out additional procedures to confirm the diagnoses This could include a biopsy and radiation A mesothelioma biopsy is a process in which a small amount of tissue is taken from the affected area and analyzed under a microscope This will allow doctors to determine the stage and type of mesothelioma Mesothelioma patients may receive treatment from specialized hospitals and cancer centers across the country Depending on the kind of mesothelioma, treatment options could include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation Some victims may be eligible to receive free or low-cost health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs For victims of mesothelioma, this financial assistance is crucial to make treatment more accessible To find out more about your rights get in touch with a VA-approved attorney for mesothelioma Reproductive Mesothelioma Mesothelioma may begin in organ linings in the chest or abdomen It may also be found in the heart's lining pericardium and testicles Men are affected more than women due to unknown causes Exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor Symptoms are not common for decades after asbestos exposure The people who are exposed to asbestos in the workplace are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma than other people In the majority of instances chest pains or persistent cough are the primary symptoms These symptoms are usually similar to the symptoms of other lung disorders and, therefore, mesothelioma is often mistakenly diagnosed Once diagnosed, the patient will undergo a series of tests to determine how far the cancer has spread and its stage These tests could include imaging scans and blood which include X-rays as well as CT scans A biopsy can be taken by a mesothelioma specialist to confirm the diagnosis The biopsy may be carried out by using a core needle or laparoscopically The biopsy should be performed by a peritoneal-mesothelioma specialist General medical oncologists are not qualified to recognize peritoneal msothelioma and could misdiagnose it The results of the mesothelioma tests will aid doctors in determining the best treatment plan for you Treatment will depend on the extent of the cancer and your general health It is often possible to control symptoms, and treatments include draining fluid from the lungs, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery Chemotherapy is a successful treatment for all types of mesothelioma However, these medications can also affect healthy cells They can harm ovarian tissue which can impact fertility This is especially true for peritoneal asbestosis, which affects the area around the reproductive organs The mesothelioma type and severity you have, aswell as your general health and age, will influence how quickly the cancer is treated and its prognosis Around 2,700 people in the UK are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year It is most common for the disease to develop in the lung's lining pleura but it can also form in the linings of the tummy peritoneum and, less commonly around the testicles or heart