Mesothelioma Mesothelioma affects the tissues that protect and surround organs throughout the body The disease typically develops in the lining of the chest cavity, abdomen and the heart The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the nature and location However, patients often suffer from the same general symptoms Doctors diagnose the disease with tests such as the CT scan or MRI https//wwwwhatismesotheliomatop/ employ mesothelioma staining to determine the extent of the cancer Asbestos Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissue that lines many internal organs Exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma Specifically, workers in industries that employ asbestos such as construction, insulation, shipbuilding, and manufacturing are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma In addition, spouses and children of asbestos workers are also at greater risk Asbestos is a variety of naturally occurring minerals They were once very popular in the construction industry due to they had fire-repellant and corrosion-resistant properties However, these materials have a downside as they break into tiny airborne fibers that are breathed in and can cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis a scarring of the lungs After initial exposure to asbestos, symptoms could develop 15 to 30 years later Inhaling asbestos fibers may become trapped in the lungs for years leading to inflammation, and triggering genetic changes which can lead to mesothelioma Mesothelioma can also affect the gastrointestinal tract, the heart and other parts of the human body The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma of the pleural region, which develops in the lining around the chest cavity and the lungs In certain cases mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdomen known as mesothelioma of the peritoneal region Patients with pleural mesothelioma may experience a variety of symptoms, including difficulty breathing, persistent coughing and weight loss, as well as fever Doctors can identify mesothelioma by taking a tissue sample from the affected area with biopsy The biopsy is tested for mesothelioma After diagnosis, doctors can suggest treatments to ease symptoms and slow the progression of mesothelioma There are many options available, including chemotherapy, surgery as well as radiation and immunotherapy A doctor may also prescribe a steroid to decrease swelling in the lungs To stop the flow of fluid to the lungs, a procedure called pleurodesis is performed A tube is inserted into the chest and fluid can be drained regularly at home The treatment options for mesothelioma differ depending on the stage of the disease Chronological Risk Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, affects the lining surrounding the lungs and reproductive organs It is most commonly located in the pleura, which is the layer of the lungs that lines the chest wall It may also develop in the pericardium, a sac which surrounds the heart or the tunica vulginalis, a membrane that forms inside the womb of women There are three kinds of mesothelioma malignant, benign, and sarcomatoid The type of mesothelioma will determine how the cancer will react to treatment and what its prognosis will be Cancer can also be classified based on its stage This refers to the extent of the cancer's growth from its initial location A lower stage number suggests a tumor that is more localized and has better outlook Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by looking at the patient's symptoms and taking an medical history They may also use imaging tests like an X-ray or CT scan or a biopsy to look at tissues under microscope Asbestos exposure is the biggest mesothelioma risk factor but it's not the only factor The general health of a person is also a major aspect, particularly when they have other health issues such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease In general, younger patients and non-smokers have a better chance of surviving than those with other health issues or smokers If mesothelioma is diagnosed, the treatment focuses more on reducing the symptoms than treating cancer For instance, doctors could remove fluid from the lungs to help breathing or administer strong painkillers Palliative care could include nutritional therapy, stress-reduction techniques, and other treatments to help patients feel better Researchers are seeking ways to improve the diagnosis of mesothelioma to ensure that it can be treated earlier One option is to test the levels of a biomarker released by mesothelioma cell This biomarker can be raised for years before symptoms show up and a mesothelioma diagnosis is made The aim is to develop a test that can identify this marker in the bloodstream and determine mesothelioma's presence prior to when symptoms begin to appear Environmental Exposure The exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of fibres that was once extensively used in construction materials, is the most significant risk factor These tiny particles can cause damage to the lung over time Symptoms may not appear for up to 20 years While mesothelioma can be caused by other substances, like erionite or silica in certain cases, the majority of cases are linked to asbestos Mesothelioma is caused by cells in the mesothelium, a membrane that line the cavities of the body, including the chest cavity and abdomen The cancer could be malignant, and can be spread to other areas of the body, or benign, which does not It is divided into three types epithelial, sarcomatoid, and biphasic also called mixed type People who have been exposed to asbestos are at the risk of developing mesothelioma It's the lung tissue that is the lung's outer layer, also known as the pleura Other body parts that mesothelioma can develop are the abdominal cavity and around the heart pericardium Many studies that have compared mesothelioma rates among employees and members of their families have shown a significant increase in risk for women This is believed to be due to the various patterns of asbestos exposure Males are more likely than females to work in fields that have been exposed to asbestos, while females could get their exposure more generally from household sources In one study, males living in Wittenoom in Western Australia, where an asbestos mine was found between 1943 and 1957, and from 1958 until 1967, had a five to nine times higher incidence of mesothelioma than women This pattern is in line with the findings of other population studies of mesothelioma The most frequent way mesothelioma is diagnosed is when a patient consults an expert for respiratory issues which do not improve with treatment The doctor conducts a medical history and checks for possible things that raise the risk of mesothelioma such as asbestos exposure The doctor will refer the patient to a specialist for tests to diagnose and treat the disease Genetics In certain cases the disease may develop within a family Genetics can impact the probability of exposure to asbestos Researchers continue to study the genetics of asbestos-related cancers and how they are connected to genes that are inherited It can be difficult for doctors to correctly diagnose mesothelioma because it is a rare disease The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on where the tumors are located, the type of cells and the extent to which the cancer has spread To identify mesothelioma patients must undergo a physical examination and imaging tests, such as chest X-rays and computed scans CT, and other diagnostic procedures, including a biopsy When a biopsy is performed, doctors take a small amount of tissue and examine it with a magnifying glass to determine if there are mesothelioma cancer cells Treatment options and prognosis is determined by the type of mesothelioma that the patient has Malignant mesothelioma is classified into four stages based on the extent to which the cancer has spread, and is classified according to the kind of cells involved The most common type of mesothelioma is Pleural, which is found in the lung linings However, there is mesothelioma that develops in the lining that protects the abdomen Other less common types are testicular mesothelioma and the pericardial which forms in the sac around the heart Following diagnosis, the main goal of mesothelioma treatment is to manage symptoms and prolong life as long as you can Palliative care is the term used to describe this kind of treatment For instance, patients with mesothelioma can receive help in breathing issues due to having fluid removed from their chest or lungs and also get medications to ease pain Patients with mesothelioma should find a medical professional who is specialized in asbestos-related diseases The specialist can guide mesothelioma sufferers through the process of treatment, and help them make informed decisions regarding their treatment Patients should inquire about their mesothelioma stage and whether or it has metastasized The stage of the mesothelioma as well as whether it has metastasized affects survival rates Download your free mesothelioma guide to find out more about survival rates and treatment options The book explains the different types of mesothelioma and the staging and life expectancy