Mesothelioma Construction workers, industrial workers, military veterans and others who worked with asbestos-contaminated products are at risk of developing mesothelioma The constant exposure to asbestos fibers causes chronic inflammation, which causes damage to the mesothelium DNA changes are also triggered by this inflammation The chance of developing malignant mesothelioma rises proportionally to cumulative exposure and to a third or fourth power from the first exposure Symptoms can appear between 10 and fifty years after exposure Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is one type of cancer that is found in the cells that line the body's tissues, also known as the mesothelium The mesothelium lining protects organs as well as other tissue by lubricating them so they slide over each other with ease The malignant mesothelioma may expand to other areas of the body, such as the heart, lungs, and abdomen Other symptoms include fatigue and chest pain It could take as long as 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma This makes it difficult to recognize by medical professionals It is also possible to confuse with other diseases such as pneumonia or the flu https//vimeocom/704879407 might experience symptoms like difficulty breathing, constant coughing, chest pain or a change in the shape of the fingers and nails known as clubbing In addition, patients suffering from mesothelioma can develop a buildup of fluid in the chest or belly peritoneal mesothelioma, a condition that is known as an effusion of the pleura Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma cannot be evident through imaging tests, like an X-ray or CT scan, until the cancer has grown for a number of years Often, doctors must perform a biopsy to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis This can be accomplished by the bronchoscopy procedure, or by needle biopsy These diagnostic procedures can help doctors to make a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the treatment plan for the patient Doctors can also look over the history of a patient's asbestos exposure to determine if they are at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases The greatest risk is for those exposed to asbestos at their workplaces Workers in construction, shipbuilding and other blue-collar jobs as well as veterans of the United States Armed Forces are at risk People who live near asbestos-exposed workers may also be at risk for mesothelioma This is especially the case in the case of asbestos fibers on their clothing Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma can benefit from visiting their family doctor regularly to have a checkup and discussing any health concerns related to asbestos This is important because mesothelioma can be mistaken for other illnesses like asbestosis Diagnosis Early signs of mesothelioma could appear like pneumonia, flu or intestinal problems Patients may not notice symptoms until 10 to 50 years after asbestos exposure due to the lengthy latency period Its similarity to other ailments also makes it hard to diagnose Many mesothelioma symptoms also differ depending on the region of the body affected The first step is to see an primary care physician or a doctor who can determine the cause of these symptoms They will ask for complete medical history and determine whether exposure to asbestos has been mentioned They will also conduct physical examinations and perform basic tests such as blood tests or X-rays A biopsy may be required to confirm a diagnosis, according to the type of mesothelioma The biopsy involves inserting a needle in the chest or abdomen to take a small sample of the tissue It is then examined in a lab to search for cancerous mesothelioma cells Both types of mesothelioma are malignant, whether they are epithelioid or sarcomatoid cells 70 of mesothelioma is epithelioid, and the rest is sarcomatoid Once a mesothelioma biopsy has been taken, doctors will come up with an action plan They typically refer the patient to a specialist to determine the most effective treatment for their specific condition Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the main cause mesothelioma Asbestos is one of the minerals that appear as small thin, slender fibers These fibers are found in rocks and soil and are typically released into the air during mining, construction and other activities Inhaled fibers can cause inflammation in the lung This can eventually lead to mesothelioma The majority of cancers are located in the lungs, but it can also grow in the lining of the tummy peritoneal mesothelioma or testicles pericardial mesothelioma Treatment Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, which is 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 Mesothelioma treatment options differ based on the nature and location of mesothelioma Doctors currently use surgery and chemotherapy to treat mesothelioma The use of radiation therapy is typically in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery It is used to lessen swelling and pain caused by mesothelioma, and destroy cancerous cells Asbestos exposure can trigger asbestosis, a condition that is not cancerous that causes scarring of the lungs and other parts of the body It can also cause mesothelioma, which is a more severe form of asbestos illness that's typically fatal Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer, usually affects the lungs and abdomen Its symptoms include breathing problems, chest pain, and coughing X-rays or CT scans can detect mesothelioma The resulting images show areas of higher density that could indicate either scar tissue or a tumor Doctors can conduct the procedure of a needle biopsy or bronchoscopy to determine the difference A bronchoscopy involves inserting thin tube into the breathing passages in order to view the tissues and then take samples to test A needle biopsy involves injecting a liquid into the region to take a small amount of tissue to be tested Both procedures can be painful, but the results aid in diagnosing asbestosis and mesothelioma The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other diseases and can manifest up to 50 years after initial exposure It is often difficult to identify mesothelioma due to the time between asbestos exposure and symptoms It's common for people to be misdiagnosed with other diseases such as pneumonia or the flu Although scientists aren't able to pinpoint for certain what causes mesothelioma they do understand that exposure to asbestos increases the risk Asbestos exposure could be caused by working in industries like asbestos mining, manufacturing and construction In addition, asbestos-containing materials are frequently transported by workers to homes and other workplaces where fibers can be consumed or inhaled The types of asbestos that are most often involved in mesothelioma cancer cases are amphibole and serpentine asbestos fibers The serpentine type is typically less carcinogenic than the amphibole variety, but both types can cause disease Prognosis Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue lining internal organs It usually develops due to exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals that are hard and resistant to heat It is believed that asbestos fibres get into the lungs, which irritate the membranes, and eventually cause cancer In time, this irritation can cause genetic mutations which cause the growth of tumours The exposure to asbestos can happen in many ways, including manufacturing, mining, repairing or cleaning up asbestos products It is also possible to be exposed through a person's home life by washing or putting on clothing that contains asbestos Some people are at higher risk of developing mesothelioma due to their family history or genetic predisposition Mesothelioma patients can display various symptoms that are frequently similar to other diseases This can make it difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma in the early stages It is crucial 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 proven that exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma Asbestos dust can be spread from work areas to areas in which people live Mesothelioma is more common in people who live within 2000 meters of an asbestos mine or cement plant Before developing mesothelioma, some sufferers develop asbestosis Asbestosis can cause the lungs to become thicker and make it difficult to breathe This condition can cause people to require oxygen at home and they may have to undergo lung surgeries such as an surgery called a lobectomy Some people with mesothelioma also receive treatment for their symptoms They may be given medications to aid in breathing or participate in clinical trials for experimental treatments Early detection and treatment of mesothelioma can improve the prognosis Patients who have had multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery have been able extend their lives up to 10 years