Mesothelioma - An Asbestos Illness Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, develops in the linings of protection that cover certain organs It is typically found in the lungs, however it can also develop in the chest wall or abdomen People who have been exposed for a long period of time to asbestos at high levels and over a long period are at risk It may take between 10 to 50 years before mesothelioma begins to show symptoms Symptoms Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that can affect the linings of some organs of the body, typically caused by exposure to asbestos It is usually found in the lung linings however it can also occur in the linings of the heart and stomach It is most common in people aged between 60 and 80 years old, and more common in women than males The sole known cause of Mesothelioma is the exposure to asbestos The signs of cancer usually manifest between 10 and fifty years after exposure to this mineral Asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten and then remain dormant before causing health problems The early mesothelioma symptoms are often confused with other diseases like influenza, pneumonia, or lung problems This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the condition and may cause delays in treatment Patients may suffer more severe and painful symptoms in the late stages of mesothelioma The type of symptoms is contingent on the area where the cancer is located Pleural mesothelioma can cause chest pain and difficulty breathing Peritoneal mesothelioma could cause abdominal pain or swelling Patients suffering from mesothelioma in its late stages can also experience fatigue, nausea and weight loss Cancer cells can spread from the lymph nodes into the bloodstream in certain cases This can cause a worsening of existing symptoms and trigger new ones to manifest Doctors can assist in diagnosing mesothelioma by looking at the patient and asking about their history of exposure to asbestos The doctor will refer the patient for additional tests, such as imaging technologies which can see inside the body and determine how far the cancer spread These technologies can also be used to assess the staging of a treatment plan and monitoring the response of a patient to treatments Diagnosis Mesothelioma, a type of cancer can affect the linings of certain organs Exposure to asbestos is the cause It could take anywhere from 15 to 50 years following exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can develop It is most common in the pleura, but can also occur in the pericardium and peritoneum Mesothelioma is not curable, but treatment may help manage symptoms People who work in industries that use asbestos are at higher risk of developing the disease People who have been exposed to asbestos in other ways, such as living in a home or school that has been exposed to asbestos, are also at risk Mesothelioma is most common in people over 75, and males are more likely to contract it than women Mesothelioma has been linked with various jobs, but most cases involve those who were directly with asbestos or worked in areas that had substantial asbestos exposure like construction sites, mines, and asbestos insulation plants This includes miners, shipyard workers, electricians painters and other tradespeople Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that form bundles of tiny fibers It can be found in rocks and soil all over the globe When asbestos is disturbed it releases its fibers into the atmosphere and can be inhaled When these fibers are breathed in, they can damage the lungs and lead to respiratory ailments like asbestosis Over time, they can cause malignant mesothelioma, a type of cancer A doctor will first assess and take a medical history of the patient They will ask about the person's asbestos exposure and perform a chest X ray and CT scan If there is a buildup of fluid The doctor can insert an instrument into the affected area and then take an in-situ sample to check for mesothelioma-like cells https//vimeocom/703543457 can also perform biopsy of the affected tissues to confirm mesothelioma If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they will likely refer the patient to an expert The specialist will perform further tests and decide on the treatment plan Treatment Mesothelioma is an extremely serious and life-threatening disease Anyone who has come into contact with asbestos should speak to their doctor regarding the background and be screened regularly Mesothelioma symptoms typically show up decades after exposure to asbestos The mesothelioma latency time can make it difficult for patients to be diagnosed The outlook for mesothelioma patients is generally good when the disease is diagnosed early and promptly treated Asbestos is a collection of minerals that have microscopic fibers These fibers resist heat, chemicals and fire and are not conductive of electrical current Asbestos was previously used extensively in the construction and other industries because of these properties The health risks of asbestos were not fully understood before recently If you've been exposed asbestos, inform your doctor if you experience persistent symptoms such as dry coughing or difficulty breathing Also, you should be aware of any changes in the shape of your fingers and toes Mesothelioma may also cause other ailments, such as pulmonary fibrosis, an inflammatory lung condition that causes scarring of the lungs This can lead to serious respiratory problems and a reduction in a patient's quality of life There are three kinds of mesothelioma malignant mesothelioma, peritoneal mesotheliom the sarcomatoid mesothelioma The type of mesothelioma that a patient has determines the treatment options and prognosis Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's lining pleura of the lungs Asbestos may cause this type of cancer It can take as long as 50 years for symptoms to appear It can cause chest pain and fluid accumulation in the pleura Pleural mesothelioma is usually diagnosed through tests such as an CT scan, MRI and a biopsy These tests can reveal lumps and bumps in the pleura, which help doctors determine the kind of mesothelioma that the patient has The mesothelioma types vary by cell type and growth rate Epithelioid mesothelioma is by far the most common form with a rate of 60 to the majority of Sarcomatoid is less common than epithelioid, and it grows more quickly Biphasic mesothelioma is rare and includes both epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cells The mesothelioma form can affect the recurrence rate of the disease The following is a list with preventions Workers who work with asbestos or live in an area where materials containing asbestos are in danger, are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma However, mesothelioma can also be caused by living near an asbestos mine or a factory, exposure to airborne fibers from asbestos deposits naturally occurring, or simply having a family member that worked with asbestos Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that have thin microfibers The mineral was used in the production of various construction materials due to its durability and fire resistance Workers with asbestos are exposed when they break the materials or remove the products from their workplace These fibers can cause irritation to organ linings when inhaled or ingested Mesothelioma is typically caused by years of exposure to asbestos The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed due to this As a result, patients receive improper treatment or do not get the care they require A biopsy is the most effective method of detecting mesothelioma In this procedure, doctors remove tissue from the suspected tumor or mass, and then study it under microscopes to determine if it is cancerous Most cases of mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure at work The most at risk are miners, people who work in the production of asbestos-containing products like insulation railway and automotive workers, ship builders and gas mask manufacturers It has been found that the family members of asbestos workers may be also at risk of mesothelioma as a result of the clothing they wear at home Researchers do not know what causes mesothelioma and why some people have higher risk of developing it than others Researchers believe a combination factors are at play, including the amount and duration of asbestos exposure and the genes of a person, and if they've had radiation treatment in the past