Mesothelioma - An Asbestos Illness Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is found in the protective linings that surround certain organs It usually develops in the lung pleura but it can also be found in the chest wall or abdomen, or even in the tests People who have been exposed for a long period of time to asbestos at high levels and for a prolonged period are at risk It could take between 10 and 50 years for mesothelioma to manifest symptoms Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is a tumor that can be cancerous that affects a few organs in the body, is usually the result of asbestos exposure It is usually found in the linings of the lungs however it can also occur in the tissues of the heart or stomach It is most often seen in people aged 60 to 80, and is more common in men than women The sole known cause of Mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos The symptoms of cancer usually manifest between 10 and fifty years after exposure to the mineral This is because stray asbestos fibers that are inhaled or consumed can remain in organ linings for a while before they cause health issues Early mesothelioma indicators are often confused with other illnesses like influenza, pneumonia or lung problems This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the condition and can result in delays in treatment In the later stages of mesothelioma patients may experience more painful and severe symptoms The kind of symptoms that appear depends on the site of the cancer and pleural mesothelioma typically causes chest pain and breathing difficulties, while mesothelioma of the peritoneal region can cause abdominal swelling or pain Patients with mesothelioma that is in its late stage may also experience fatigue, nausea and weight loss In certain cases cancer cells can be spread to lymph nodes and bloodstream, which could cause existing symptoms to get worse and new ones to develop Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma with an exhaustive examination and asking the patient about their asbestos exposure history The doctor will refer the patient for further tests, including imaging technology that can look inside the body and determine the extent to which cancer spread These technologies can also be used to analyze the treatment plan, monitor the reaction of a patient to treatments, and determine the stage of cancer Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of certain internal organs Exposure to asbestos is the main cause It can take anywhere between 15 to 50 years following exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can develop It is most prevalent in the pleura, but can also occur in the peritoneum and pericardium Mesothelioma is not curable, however treatment can ease symptoms People who work in industries that use asbestos are at a higher risk of contracting the disease People who have been exposed to asbestos in other ways, like living in a home or school which has been exposed to asbestos is also at risk Mesothelioma occurs most often in those who are over 75 years old, and men are more prone to it than women Mesothelioma is associated with numerous jobs However, the majority of cases are involving people who have been exposed to asbestos directly or in places that were exposed to asbestos, for example, mines and construction sites, or asbestos insulation plants These people include electricians and shipyard workers as also painters, painters and other tradespeople Asbestos is one of the naturally occurring minerals that are small fibers All over the globe it is found in rocks and soil Asbestos fibers are released into air when asbestos is disturbed They can be breathed in Inhaling these fibers can lead to lung damage and respiratory conditions such as asbestosis They can also cause malignant mesothelioma with time A doctor will first assess and collect an account of the medical history of the patient https//vimeocom/704920102 will ask questions about the person's exposure to asbestos and will perform an X-ray chest and CT scan If there is fluid buildup and the doctor decides to insert a needle in the area and collect an in-situ sample to check for mesothelioma cell They may also take an excision of the affected tissue to confirm mesothelioma If a doctor suspects mesothelioma they will likely refer the person to a specialist The specialist will perform further tests and decide on a treatment plan Treatment Mesothelioma can be a fatal disease People who have been exposed to asbestos should discuss their experiences with a doctor and get regular screenings Symptoms of mesothelioma typically appear after a long time following exposure to asbestos Mesothelioma is a disease with a long latency period, which can make it difficult to identify The outlook for mesothelioma patients is generally excellent when the disease is diagnosed early and treated aggressively Asbestos is made up of an assortment of minerals which contain microscopic fibers These fibers are invulnerable to fire, heat and chemicals and don't conduct electricity Asbestos was once widely used in the construction and other industries because of these properties However, the health risks associated with asbestos were not fully understood until the last few years If you've been exposed to asbestos, inform your doctor if you experience persistent symptoms such as dry coughing or difficulty breathing You should also mention any changes in the shape of your fingers and toes Mesothelioma can also trigger other illnesses, including pulmonary fibroids This is an inflammation lung disease that causes scarring of the lungs This can cause severe respiratory issues and lower the quality of life of patients There are three kinds malignant pleural the peritoneal, and sarcomatoid The type of mesothelioma that patients suffer from will determine the treatment options and outlook Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the layer pleura of the lungs Asbestos can cause this cancer It could take up to 50 years before symptoms appear It often causes chest pain and swelling of fluid in the pleura A CT scan, MRI or biopsy are often used to diagnose pleural melanoma These tests can reveal lumps or bumps in the pleura, and aid doctors determine what kind of mesothelioma the patient is suffering from The mesothelioma types vary according to the type of cell and growth rate The most common mesothelioma type epithelioid is responsible for 60-80 of all cases Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is less common and grows faster than epithelioid mesothelioma Biphasic mesothelioma is rare and includes both epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cells The mesothelioma form can alter the rate of recurrence of the disease The following is a list with preventions The people who work with asbestos or reside in an area where materials containing asbestos are disposed of are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma However, mesothelioma could also be caused from living near an asbestos mine or a factory, exposure to airborne fibers from asbestos deposits naturally occurring, or having a family member who worked with asbestos Asbestos is an assortment of minerals that naturally occur and contain microscopic fibers The mineral was used to make many construction products due to its durability and fire resistance Workers who work with asbestos are exposed to small particles of the mineral when the products they work with are dissolved or when removing the products from their workplace When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they could cause irritation to the organ's lining that they enter Mesothelioma typically develops after years of long-term exposure to asbestos The symptoms of mesothelioma are often similar to other diseases, like the bronchitis or pneumonia Due to this, mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed In the end, patients receive improper treatment or don't receive the care they need A biopsy is the most efficient way to detect mesothelioma When they perform a biopsy, physicians remove tissue and examine it under a magnifying glass to determine if it is cancerous The majority of mesothelioma cases can be traced to workplace asbestos exposure The highest risk category is the miners and workers in the manufacturing of asbestos-containing products, such as insulation railway, automotive, shipbuilders and gas mask makers However it has been observed that family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of an increased risk of developing mesothelioma due to exposure from clothing they were wearing at home Researchers do not know what causes mesothelioma and why some people have a higher chance of developing it than other Researchers believe that a variety of factors are responsible, which include the amount and duration of asbestos exposure and the genes of a person, and if they've received radiation treatment in the past