Mesothelioma Construction workers, industrial workers, military veterans and others who worked with asbestos-contaminated products are at risk of developing mesothelioma The constant exposure to asbestos fibers causes chronic inflammation that damages the mesothelium DNA changes are also caused by this inflammation The risk of developing malignant mesothelioma increases with exposure cumulatively and to the third or fourth power of the time since the first exposure The symptoms may manifest between 10 and fifty years after exposure Symptoms The mesothelium is a lining of cells that cover the body The mesothelium lining protects organs and tissues by lubricating them so that it is able to slide effortlessly against each other The malignant mesothelioma may be spread to other parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, and abdomen Other symptoms include chest pain and fatigue Symptoms of mesothelioma can take between 10 and 50 years to manifest and it is therefore difficult for doctors to recognize the condition It may also be confused with other conditions such as pneumonia or the flu Patients may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, constant coughing and chest pain or change in the form of the fingers and nails which is known as clubbing In addition, patients with mesothelioma can develop a fluid buildup in the abdomen or chest peritoneal mesothelioma, a condition that is known as a pleural effusion As with lung cancer, mesothelioma is not evident in imaging tests, like an X-ray or CT scan, until the cancer has progressed for a number of years In most cases, doctors will need to perform a biopsy to confirm mesothelioma diagnosis This can be done with a bronchoscopy or needle biopsy These diagnostic procedures can assist doctors make a mesothelioma diagnosis and develop the best treatment option for the patient Doctors can examine a patient's asbestos exposure history to determine if he or she has a risk of developing asbestos-related diseases The people who are exposed to asbestos at work are at the greatest chance of developing mesothelioma as well as other illnesses People working in construction, shipbuilding and other blue-collar professions as well as veterans of the United States Armed Forces are at a high risk People who live near asbestos-exposed workers may also be at risk of 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 physician for a checkup, and also talking about any asbestos-related health concerns This is crucial because mesothelioma may be mistakenly attributed to other diseases, such as asbestosis Diagnosis Early signs of mesothelioma can look like flu, pneumonia or intestinal issues The long time of latency means that patients can experience symptoms for 10 - 50 years after asbestos exposure Its similarity to other conditions can make it difficult to recognize The location of the affected body part may also influence the symptoms The first step is to visit a primary care physician or a doctor who can determine the cause of these symptoms They will ask you for your medical history and look for asbestos exposure has been mentioned They will also perform an examination and run the basic tests like blood work or X rays A biopsy might be necessary to confirm a diagnosis dependent on the type of mesothelioma The biopsy involves inserting a needle in the chest or abdomen to take a small portion of the tissue The tissue is then studied to determine whether it is a source of mesothelioma that is cancerous Mesothelioma cells are either epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and both types are malignant 70 of mesothelioma cells are epithelioid the remainder is sarcomatoid After a mesothelioma biopsy been completed, doctors can create a treatment plan They usually refer the patient to a specialist in order to determine the best treatment option for their condition Mesothelioma is caused through the inhalation of microscopic asbestos fibers Asbestos is minerals that appear like bundles of tiny fibers They are found in rock and soil and are typically released into the air during mining, construction and other activities Inhaling fibers can cause inflammation of the lungs This may eventually lead to mesothelioma The cancer is typically centered in the lungs, but it can also grow in the lining of the tummy peritoneal mesothelioma or in the testicles pericardial mesothelioma Treatment Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, that is an abnormal growth of cells that invades nearby organs and tissues Cancerous cells can also expand through the lymphatic bloodstream to other areas of your body Treatment options for mesothelioma vary depending on its type and location Today, doctors are using chemotherapy and surgery to treat mesothelioma Radiation therapy is usually used alongside surgery and/or chemotherapy It is designed to kill cancerous cells and reduce swelling and pain associated mesothelioma Asbestos exposure can lead to asbestosis, which is a non-cancerous disease that results in scarring of the lungs as well as other body parts It may also lead to mesothelioma which is a more serious form of asbestos illness that is usually fatal Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer typically affects the abdomen and lungs The symptoms can include breathlessness, coughing, and chest pain X-rays or CT scans can diagnose mesothelioma The results of CT scans show areas of higher density, which could indicate scar tissue or a tumor mass Doctors may perform the procedure of a needle biopsy or bronchoscopy to determine the difference A bronchoscopy is performed by inserting an extremely thin, flexible tube into the respiratory passages to visualize the tissue and collect samples for testing A needle biopsy involves injecting liquid into the area to remove the tissue to test Both procedures are painful, but the results aid in diagnosing mesothelioma and asbestosis Mesothelioma symptoms are similar those of other illnesses and can take as long as 50 years to develop following the initial exposure It is difficult to determine mesothelioma due to the time between asbestos exposure and the onset of symptoms Many people are misdiagnosed as having other diseases, such as pneumonia or influenza While scientists don't know for certain what causes mesothelioma they do understand that exposure to asbestos can increase the risk Asbestos exposure could be caused by working in industries such as asbestos mining, manufacturing, and construction In addition, asbestos-containing materials are frequently transported by workers to homes and other workplaces where fibers can be consumed or inhaled The types of asbestos that are most often involved in mesothelioma cancer cases are amphibole and serpentine asbestos fibers The serpentine type of asbestos is less harmful than amphibole, but both types can cause illness Prognosis Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that lines internal organs https//vimeocom/704933399 occurs because of exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals that are strong and resistant to heat It is believed that asbestos fibers get into the lungs, which irritate the membranes and cause cancer Over time this irritation could trigger genetic mutations which lead to the growth of tumours Exposure to asbestos can occur in many ways, including manufacturing, mining, repair or cleaning asbestos-containing products It is also possible to be exposed through a person's home life by washing or wearing clothing that contains asbestos Certain people are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma because of their family history or genetic predisposition Patients with mesothelioma may suffer from a variety of symptoms that frequently resemble other diseases It can be difficult to help doctors to diagnose mesothelioma at its early stages It is important for people who have been exposed to asbestos to disclose their medical history to their doctor and request regular examinations Most cases of mesothelioma can be linked to occupational asbestos exposure Studies have shown that exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma This is because asbestos dust can move from work sites to other areas in the area where people reside People who live within 2000 meters of an asbestos mine or cement plant are at a higher 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 This condition can make people require oxygen at home, and they may have to undergo lung procedures such as a lung lobectomy Additionally, a few people with mesothelioma are treated for symptoms of their cancer Certain mesothelioma patients are treated with drugs to improve their breathing, or they may participate in clinical trials to test treatments Early detection and treatment of mesothelioma may improve the chances of survival Patients who have undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery have been able extend their lives by up to 10 years