Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the organ's lining, including the lung pleura and abdomen It's usually caused by exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibres Mesothelioma can appear anywhere between 20 and 60 years after exposure Blood tests or X-rays can be used to detect mesothelioma, and determine the extent to which it has spread Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural Mesothelioma is caused by malignant cells which develop in the lung's lining The pleura is a double-layered tissue that surrounds numerous organs Cancerous pleural mesothelioma most often affects the chest wall and lungs and can trigger symptoms such as breath shortness, pain in the chest or difficulty breathing Asbestos exposure is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma of the pleural region When airborne asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may travel down the throat and into the lungs, where they can damage the lining This can cause inflammation and scarring that could cause changes that lead to out of control cell growth Certain asbestos-related exposure victims may not notice symptoms until decades after the initial exposure This is due to the fact that mesothelioma can take a long time to develop Males and those born male are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma https//vimeocom/704934205 that are common include older people working in industries that employed asbestos in large quantities prior to when it was banned or who were in the Navy Symptoms vary depending on where the tumor is located They are usually caused by increased pressure or swelling near the affected lung The symptoms could include coughing, back or chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue X-rays, CT or MRI scans can be used to rule out other conditions which could cause similar symptoms If pleural mesothelioma is identified, doctors will determine the stage of the disease to help determine the best treatment options The International Mesothelioma Interest Group has created the staging system The first step to determine the stage is to perform a biopsy and reviewing the patient's medical history X-rays and a chest MRI can also be used to determine whether there are any tumors or other abnormalities that could indicate mesothelioma There are three distinct kinds of mesothelioma that can be categorized based on the type of cells that form Epithelioid Mesothelioma The most commonly encountered kind of malignant mesothelioma 60 percent to 90 of cases It is easier to treat when compared to other types Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is the second-most frequent type of mesothelioma between 10 and 15 percent of cases It is more difficult than epithelioid Peritoneal Mesothelioma Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the abdominal cavity's lining peritoneum It is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma Like all mesotheliomas, the peritoneal cancer is caused by asbestos exposure This mesothelioma type is more likely to be caused by ingestion than inhalation, unlike the pleural This type of mesothelioma is more prevalent among women than men and occurs in older people The early stages of mesothelioma are difficult to identify due to the lack of specificity However, experts in mesothelioma are able to recognize the disease Complete patient histories, as well as blood and imaging tests, can aid doctors in making an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma If mesothelioma has been diagnosed A doctor will determine the stage of the cancer using the TNM system The staging system outlines the extent of the tumor's spread and impacts the treatment options The lower the stage, the more treatment options available Because peritoneal mesothelioma is rare, it can be difficult to identify The symptoms of this disease are similar to those of other diseases that affect the digestive tract and abdomen, which includes abdominal discomfort, fever and weight loss Patients who experience symptoms that are not clear should consult a doctor The doctor will first perform a physical examination and take basic blood tests If these tests indicate that a disease is present and an oncologist is needed, they can conduct more specific diagnostic tests, like biopsies This will provide a clear picture of the health of the individual and reveal any potential mesothelioma-related signs Asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos typically occurs in the workplace, but it can also happen in the home or at schools Asbestos exposure is the most hazardous when it takes place for an extended period of time Mesothelioma can develop when asbestos dust or asbestos particles enter the body and cause inflammation or irritation Over time the inflammation and irritation can cause cells to mutate into cancerous cells and form tumors The cancerous tissue created can later infiltrate other tissues and cause symptoms like abdominal discomfort and fever, weight gain and swelling Cardiovascular Mesothelioma Pericardial Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the pericardium or lining of the heart The mesothelioma type is less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases, and is one of the most difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to those of heart disease As a result, many people receive a diagnosis of heart disease before doctors are able to confirm that they have pericardial mesothelioma As with other types of mesothelioma, asbestos exposure can cause pericardial cancer Asbestos fibers are believed be absorbed into the pericardium through bloodstream These fibers can be transported to other organs such as the heart Pericardial mesothelioma is typically found in the outer layer of the pericardium, but it can also occur in the inner layer Pericardial mesothelioma has a worse prognosis than other types mesothelioma Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include chest pain, breathing problems and fatigue It is important that victims undergo a thorough medical examination due to the fact that this form of mesothelioma is so rare It is crucial to inform your doctor if they've had any asbestos exposure in the past The initial step in a mesothelioma diagnosis is often the CT scan or echocardiogram These tests can identify fluid accumulation around the heart, as well as visible pericardial tumours If these tests indicate the presence of mesothelioma doctors may perform additional procedures to confirm the diagnosis These can include a biopsy as well as radiation A mesothelioma biopsies procedure is a procedure where a small portion of tissue is removed from the area affected and then examined under microscope This will enable doctors to determine the stage and type of mesothelioma Patients with mesothelioma can be treated at cancer centers and specialized hospitals across the nation Treatment options for mesothelioma can include chemo, surgery, and radiation In some cases, victims are eligible for free or reduced-cost health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs For victims of mesothelioma, this financial aid is essential 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 develop in the linings of organs in the abdomen or chest It can also develop in the tissue of the heart pericardium and testicles Men are affected more than women for reasons that are not known Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor The signs usually don't appear until several decades after exposure Workers exposed to asbestos while at work are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma than other people In most instances chest pains or a persistent cough are the primary symptoms Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed because the symptoms are similar to other lung disorders Once diagnosed, the patient will undergo a series of tests to determine the extent the cancer has spread and its stage These tests could include imaging scans, such as X-rays or CT scans A biopsy can be taken by a mesothelioma specialist to confirm the diagnosis The biopsy can be performed with a needle core or laparoscopically It is important that a specialist in peritoneal cancer conducts the biopsy General medical oncologists don't have the expertise to recognize mesothelioma of the peritoneal region and could mistakenly diagnose the condition Test results for mesothelioma will aid doctors in determining the best treatment plan The treatment will depend on the extent to which the cancer has spread, and your overall health It is typically possible to manage symptoms and treatments may include draining the lungs of fluid, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery The majority of mesothelioma types can be treated with chemotherapy However, these medications can also affect healthy cells They can damage ovarian tissue, and this could affect fertility This is especially true for peritoneal asbestosis, which affects the region around the reproductive organs The type and severity of the cancer, as well as age and general health will determine how quickly you are treated and your prognosis In the UK, around 2700 people are diagnosed mesothelioma each year It is common for the disease to develop in the lung's lining pleura but it can be found in the linings of the tummy peritoneum and less often, around the testicles or heart