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 creates chronic inflammation that damages the mesothelium and triggers DNA changes The risk of malignant mesothelioma increases proportionally to cumulative exposure and to a third or fourth power from the first exposure It can take between 10 and 50 years after exposure for symptoms to appear Symptoms Mesothelioma is one type of cancer that is found in the cells that line the body's areas, referred to as the mesothelium The mesothelium lining protects organs as well as other tissues by lubricating them, allowing they slide over each other without difficulty Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that can spread to different areas of the body and affect the lungs, heart and abdomen Other symptoms include fatigue and chest pain The symptoms of mesothelioma may take 10 to 50 years to appear and it is therefore difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease It may also be confused with other diseases like pneumonia or the flu Patients may experience symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing or a throbbing sensation in the nails and fingers Patients with mesothelioma can also develop an accumulation of fluids in the chest peritoneal or belly This condition is called a Pleural effusion Like lung cancer, mesothelioma cannot be visible in imaging tests, like an X-ray or CT scan, until the cancer has grown for several years Doctors must often perform a biopsy to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis This can be accomplished by bronchoscopy, or a needle biopsy These diagnostic procedures assist doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and decide the most effective treatment plan for patients Doctors can also review a patient's history of asbestos exposure to determine whether he or she is at risk for developing asbestos-related illnesses Workers exposed to asbestos at work are at the greatest chance of developing mesothelioma as well as other diseases People who work in high-risk jobs include those working in shipbuilding, construction and other blue-collar fields, as well as veterans of the United States Armed Forces People who live with asbestos-exposed workers are also at risk of mesothelioma, especially if they bring home asbestos fibers on his or her clothing If you've been diagnosed as having mesothelioma should visit their doctor on a regular basis for a checkup, and discussing any health issues related to asbestos https//vimeocom/704896678 is important because mesothelioma can be misinterpreted as a different disease such as asbestosis Diagnosis The first signs of mesothelioma often appear like flu or pneumonia, or intestinal problems The disease's long latency period means that patients could suffer from symptoms for as long as 10 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos It can be difficult to diagnose due to its resemblance to other diseases The mesothelioma symptoms differ based on the region of the body affected The first step is to consult an primary care physician or a doctor who can determine the root of the symptoms They will request your medical history and look to see if asbestos exposure is mentioned They will also perform physical examinations and perform basic tests such as blood tests or X-rays A biopsy might be necessary to confirm a diagnosis, dependent 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 examined to determine if it contains cancerous mesothelioma Both mesothelioma types are malignant, whether they are epithelioid cells or sarcomatoid cells Epithelioid mesothelioma is responsible for 70 percent of mesothelioma cases while sarcomatoid mesothelioma makes up the remaining 70 After a mesothelioma biopsied procedure has been performed, doctors can develop an action plan They will usually refer the patient to a specialist to determine the most effective treatment for their condition Mesothelioma is caused by the exposure to asbestos fibers that are microscopic Asbestos is made up of a group minerals that look like bundles of tiny fibers These fibers can be found in rock, soil and are released into the atmosphere during mining and construction When inhaled, the fibers get stuck in the lung and cause inflammation Over time, this can result in scarring asbestosis and eventually mesothelioma The cancer usually occurs in the lung However, it may also develop in the linings of the stomach peritoneal pericardial or the testicles Treatment Mesothelioma also referred to as cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that invades the tissues and organs of the surrounding area Cancerous cells may also expand through the lymphatic bloodstream to other areas of your body Mesothelioma treatment options differ based on the kind and the location of mesothelioma Doctors currently employ chemotherapy and surgery to treat mesothelioma Radiation therapy can be used in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy It is used to lessen swelling and pain caused by mesothelioma and destroy cancerous cells Asbestos exposure can cause asbestosis It is a non-cancerous condition that causes scarring on the lungs as well as on other areas of the human body Asbestos exposure can also lead to mesothelioma - a more severe form of asbestos disease that can be fatal Mesothelioma is a cancer that is aggressive typically affects the abdomen and lungs It can cause coughing, breathlessness and chest pain X-rays or CT scans can help diagnose mesothelioma The images produced show areas of increased density, which could be a sign of scar tissue or a tumor mass Doctors can perform the procedure of bronchoscopy, or needle biopsy to determine the difference A bronchoscopy is done by inserting a thin flexible tube into respiratory passages to see the tissue and then collect samples to test A needle biopsy involves injecting liquid into the area in order to remove the tissue to test Both procedures are painful, however they can help doctors identify mesothelioma or asbestosis The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other illnesses and can manifest up to 50 years after initial exposure The time lag between asbestos exposure and onset of symptoms can make it difficult to identify the condition It's not uncommon for people to be misdiagnosed with other illnesses like the flu or pneumonia While scientists aren't sure what causes mesothelioma, they do understand that exposure to asbestos increases the risk Asbestos can be exposed through industries such as asbestos mining, manufacturing, and construction As well, asbestos-containing products are often transported by workers to homes and other workplaces where the fibres can be ingested or inhaled The types of asbestos that are most frequently involved in mesothelioma cases are amphibole and serpentine asbestos fibers The serpentine type of asbestos is less cancerous than the amphibole, but both types are capable of causing illness Prognosis Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that line 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 fibers enter the lungs, irritate the membranes and cause cancer As time passes this irritation could trigger genetic mutations that can lead to the growth of tumors Asbestos is exposed in a variety of ways, including when mining, manufacturing, cleaning or repairing asbestos-related products You may also be exposed at home through wearing or washing someone else's asbestos-containing clothes Certain people are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma due to their genetic or family history predisposition People with mesothelioma can have a variety of symptoms, and they often mimic other illnesses It is often difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma in its early stages It is important that people who have been exposed to asbestos be honest with their doctor and have regular check-ups The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by occupational asbestos exposure Studies have shown that exposure to asbestos can also cause mesothelioma This is due to the fact that asbestos dust can travel from workplaces to other places in the area where people reside People who live within 2000 meters of an asbestos mine or cement plant are at greater risk of mesothelioma Before developing mesothelioma, some people develop asbestosis Asbestosis can cause the lungs to thicken and make it difficult for people to breathe People suffering from this condition are likely to require oxygen at home and could need to undergo lung surgeries such as a the lobectomy Some people with mesothelioma also receive treatment for their symptoms They may be given drugs to help them breathe or take part in clinical trials for experimental treatments Early detection and treatment of mesothelioma can improve the chance of recovery Some patients who have undergone multiple rounds of surgery and chemotherapy have been able extend their lives by as much as 10 years