Mesothelioma Construction workers, industrial workers, military veterans and others who worked with asbestos-contaminated products are at risk of developing mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos fibers repeatedly leads to chronic inflammation that damages the mesothelium and causes DNA changes The risk of developing malignant mesothelioma increases with cumulative exposure and up to the third or fourth power of the time since first exposure The symptoms can manifest between 10 and 50 years after exposure Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the cells that line the body's tissues, also known as the mesothelium This lining protects organs and other tissues by lubricating them so that they slide against each other with ease The mesothelioma cancer can be spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs, heart, and abdomen Other symptoms include chest pain and fatigue It could take as long as 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear This makes it difficult to identify by medical professionals It may also be confused with other conditions like the flu or pneumonia Patients may experience symptoms like difficulty breathing, constant coughing and chest pain, or a change in the form of the nails and fingers which is known as clubbing Patients with mesothelioma can also develop an accumulation of fluid in the chest peritoneal or belly This condition is called a pleural effusion Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma is not detectable through imaging tests, like an X-ray or CT scan until the cancer has grown for a number of years Doctors are required to conduct a biopsy to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis This can be accomplished with the use of a bronchoscopy or needle biopsy These diagnostic procedures can help doctors determine if mesothelioma is a cause and determine the treatment plan for the patient Doctors can also review a patient's history of asbestos exposure to determine whether they are at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases The highest risk is for those exposed to asbestos in their work places People who work in high-risk jobs include those working in shipbuilding, construction and other blue-collar industries and veterans of the United States Armed Forces Residents who live near asbestos-exposed workers could also be at risk for mesothelioma This is especially the case when the worker has asbestos fibers in their clothing People who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may benefit from regular visits to their doctor of choice for a checkup, and also talking about any health issues related to asbestos This is vital because mesothelioma can be mistaken for other diseases like asbestosis Diagnosis Early signs of mesothelioma can appear like pneumonia, flu or intestinal issues The disease's long latency period means patients may experience symptoms for 10 - 50 years after asbestos exposure Its similarity to other conditions also makes it hard to recognize The location of the body part affected may also influence the symptoms The first step is to consult an primary care doctor or a different doctor who can identify the root of your symptoms They will request complete medical history and determine if exposure to asbestos has been mentioned They will also conduct physical examinations and carry out basic tests like blood work or X-rays A biopsy is sometimes required to confirm a diagnosis, depending on the type of mesothelioma The procedure involves inserting a needle into the chest or abdomen to take a small sample of the tissue The tissue is then analyzed to determine if it contains mesothelioma cancerous Mesothelioma cells are either epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and both types are malignant Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 70 percent of mesothelioma patients, while sarcomatoid is responsible for the rest After a mesothelioma biopsied has been done, doctors can create a treatment plan They will refer the patient to an expert to determine the best treatment for their condition Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the main cause of mesothelioma Asbestos is made up of minerals that appear like a clump of tiny fibers These fibers are found in soil and rock and are usually released into the air during mining, construction and other activities Inhaling these fibers can cause inflammation of the lungs In time, this may result in scarring asbestosis and eventually mesothelioma The majority of cancers are located in the lungs, however it may also develop in the lining of the stomach peritoneal mesothelioma or testicles pericardial mesothelioma Treatment Mesothelioma, also known as cancer, is an 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 The treatment options for mesothelioma differ according to the type of cancer and the location Doctors are currently using chemotherapy and surgery to treat mesothelioma Radiation therapy is often used in combination with chemotherapy or surgery It is used to reduce swelling and pain caused by mesothelioma and destroy cancerous cells Asbestos exposure can trigger asbestosis, a non-cancerous condition which causes scarring of the lungs and other parts of the body It may also lead to mesothelioma which is a more serious form of asbestos-related illness which is typically fatal Mesothelioma is a cancer that is aggressive that is most often found in the abdomen and lungs Symptoms can include breathlessness, coughing, and chest pain X-rays or CT scans can diagnose mesothelioma The results of CT scans reveal areas with higher density that could be a sign of scar tissue or a tumor mass Doctors can conduct a needle biopsy or bronchoscopy to determine the difference A bronchoscopy can be performed by inserting an extremely thin, flexible tube into the respiratory passages in order to visualize the tissue and collect samples to test A needle biopsy involves injecting liquid into the area to remove some tissue for testing Both procedures are painful, however they help doctors diagnose mesothelioma or asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other illnesses, and can develop up to 50 years after initial exposure The latency period between exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms can make it difficult to identify the condition It's common for people to be misdiagnosed as having other illnesses like the flu or pneumonia Scientists don't know exactly what causes mesothelioma but they do know that asbestos exposure increases the risk Asbestos exposure can come from working in industries such as asbestos mining, manufacturing, and construction Workers also transport asbestos-containing substances to their homes as well as other workplaces, where they may breathe in or ingest the fibers The types of asbestos that are most commonly involved in mesothelioma cases are amphibole and serpentine asbestos fibers The serpentine type is generally less carcinogenic than amphibole types but both types may cause illness Prognosis Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer is a disease that is a form of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that runs through the organs' internals It is typically caused by asbestos exposure, a grouping of minerals that is resistant to heat and durable It is believed that asbestos fibres enter the lungs, irritate the membranes and then cause cancer This irritation could lead to genetic mutations which eventually lead to tumour growth Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of ways, including manufacturing, mining, repair or cleaning asbestos-containing products It is also possible to be exposed at home by washing or wearing asbestos-containing clothes Some people are more at risk of developing mesothelioma because of their family history of the disease, or they have a predisposition to it due to other factors like genetics Mesothelioma patients may have a variety of symptoms, which often mimic other illnesses It is often difficult for doctors diagnose mesothelioma in its early stages It is crucial for those who have been exposed to asbestos to share their medical history to their doctor and request regular examinations Most cases of mesothelioma can be attributed to occupational asbestos exposure https//vimeocom/704935378 show that environmental exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma This is due to the fact that asbestos dust can move from work sites to other areas where people live Mesothelioma is more common for those 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 for people to breathe Patients with this condition are more likely to require oxygen at home and could require lung surgery such as a lung lobectomy Additionally, some patients who suffer from mesothelioma receive treatment for the symptoms of their cancer Certain mesothelioma patients are treated with drugs to improve their breathing, or they may take part in clinical studies to test treatments Early detection and treatment of mesothelioma may improve the chances of survival Patients who have had multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery have been able to extend their lives by up to 10 years