Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Related Cancers People with a long history of asbestos exposure are at risk of developing various types of cancers, such as mesothelioma These cancers have a long latency period, meaning symptoms do not manifest for years after exposure The risk of developing pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma declines with time since first exposure The evidence is built on six cohort studies in occupational settings and two residential cohorts that have long-term follow-up What is Mesothelioma Mesothelioma refers to cancer of the lining of internal organs, including the lung pleural mesothelioma and abdomen peritoneal mesothelioma or heart pericardial mesothelioma It's a rare and aggressive disease that most often starts in the lining of the chest cavity, but it can be found in the stomach's lining or in other parts of the body Asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma The cancer typically doesn't appear until decades after exposure Those who are exposed to asbestos at work have a greater chance of developing cancer than others Asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed and cling to the organ's lining They irritate the lining of the organs and cause abnormal cells to grow and form tumors https//vimeocom/704916819 don't show until a person has advanced mesothelioma Asbestos exposure most often occurs in industrial jobs where workers handled the material or worked in proximity to it Asbestos is used in many trades, such as shipbuilding, construction, and auto repair Veterans who served in the military are at greater risk of mesothelioma because asbestos was widely employed on bases and ships Anyone with an asbestos-related history should be screened regularly and be aware of any unusual symptoms If a doctor suspects mesothelioma they may order imaging scans such as CT scans or MRI scans to look for tumors and determine if they've gotten larger They can also conduct an examination and inquire about the patient's asbestos exposure history Certain mesothelioma cases are related to genetic changes, so certain patients could benefit from genetic tests Risk Factors The exposure to asbestos is the primary risk factor of mesothelioma Asbestos is a mineral made by tiny fibers which are strong and resistant to heat Asbestos was used in a wide variety of manufacturing and construction materials, including insulation, brakes and shingles flooring, and many more When asbestos is disturbed it releases dust that could be swallowed or inhaled In time, this may cause irritation of the mesothelium, which could eventually lead to mesothelioma People with an history of occupational asbestos exposure are at the greatest risk for mesothelioma This includes those who worked in industries like mining, shipbuilding and construction as well as in automotive repair Veterans of the military are also at risk since many branches of service employed asbestos-based materials A family history of asbestos and radiation therapy to chest are also factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed has a significant impact on the risk The most common mesothelioma that is one that affects the lungs Other forms of mesothelioma are peritoneal, pericardial and testicular The risk of mesothelioma generally increases with the third or fourth power of latency which is the amount of time required to diagnose someone However, the rate of pleural mesothelioma exhibits a slight flattening approximately 40 years of exposure Peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma exhibit the same pattern Those who have para-occupational exposure to asbestos - such as living close to an asbestos plant or consuming products from the household that are contaminated - are also at increased risk for mesothelioma One study of six cities revealed that those who had this type of exposure had a greater mesothelioma danger than those who had only occupational exposure Symptoms The linings of internal organs are affected by mesothelioma that is malignant It most commonly occurs in the lung lining pleura and abdomen peritoneum Mesothelioma can also occur in the lining of the testicles or heart It is a rare form of cancer, and most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma were employed in jobs which exposed them to asbestos It could take years for symptoms of mesothelioma to manifest, and the disease is not curable Asbestos is one of the minerals with thin microscopically sized fibers that are resistant to fire, chemicals and heat It was once widely employed in shipbuilding, construction manufacturing, and many other industries Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as the fibers get stuck in the tissues that line organs and protect them, causing irritation and damaging cells This can result in tumors developing and eventually turning cancerous The most frequent mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs pleura It can also develop in the lining of the testicles or the heart, or in the lining of your abdomen peritoneum Mesothelioma may also spread to lymph nodes, causing them to expand The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are victims of asbestos exposure and are also suffering from other ailments like chronic lung disease The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other conditions, so it is important to see a doctor if you observe any persisting or alarming signs and symptoms Doctors will ask about your past asbestos exposure and may perform an examination They may also conduct blood tests and imaging scans of your chest or abdomen They can detect any growth in the lining of your lungs or the fluid that is leaking out of the space between your lungs and the chest wall Diagnosis Asbestos fibers that are entangled on the body can cause harm and may eventually grow into cancerous tumors Different types of asbestos-related cancer form in various organs or tissues and can be identified using different tests Mesothelioma develops in the tissue lining the chest cavity and the lungs pleura as well as the stomach membranes peritoneum or around the reproductive organs and the heart The first step in identifying mesothelioma is to speak with their doctor about their experience with asbestos exposure and the symptoms they've been experiencing Doctors also conduct a physical examination and may order tests of a basic nature like blood tests to determine how well the lungs are functioning X-rays or CT scans can help doctors understand the affected area better In some instances doctors will perform a pleural fluid test to determine if mesothelioma is responsible for the buildup of fluid The pleural effusion could be a sign of pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma or a rarer form of mesothelioma known as biphasic or mixed mesothelioma Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases and conditions The most common symptoms are difficulty breathing and chest pain Pleural mesothelioma may cause chest tightness, fatigue and a cough Peritoneal mesothelioma may cause abdominal discomfort swelling, distension and pain Testicular mesothelioma can manifest as a swollen, itchy lump on the testicles Researchers are studying the presence of certain blood proteins in the hope of figuring out methods to detect mesothelioma early on They are also looking into a number of other tests and procedures that may improve the accuracy of diagnosis, such as mesothelioma imaging and MRIs They are also studying genetic mutations, and how to determine if someone has a mesothelioma-related risk by studying their family history Treatment Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma Anyone who has worked with asbestos in the past, particularly for prolonged periods of time or in high-risk jobs such as shipbuilding, electrical work auto repair and military service, are at increased risk Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, when fibers become stuck in the tissue that lines vital organs and shields them The fibers cause DNA damage and irritation to the mesothelium which can cause cancerous cell growth Symptoms of mesothelioma usually are not evident for a long time after exposure The symptoms vary based on the type of mesothelioma and where it is found in the body The majority of patients with mesothelioma have the lung lining pleural but it could also affect the stomach lining and testicles, as well as the heart Mesothelioma staging helps doctors determine treatment options The disease is classified as stage I through stage IV, with stages I and II being the earliest and most manageable Stage III and stage IV are the later stages of cancer, and are more difficult to treat However, there are still many options to treat The most frequent mesothelioma type affects the lung linings and chest wall, as well as the abdomen In most cases of pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure was a result of the workplace It was most likely due to breathing in airborne asbestos particles or ingesting the cancerous substance through the food chain Other risk factors are a family history, genetic mutations, and prior treatment for a different ailment If you have been exposed to asbestos and are suffering from mesothelioma symptoms, it is crucial to see an expert You could also benefit from genetic counseling A mesothelioma specialist can assist you in filing a lawsuit against companies that have knowingly used asbestos in their everyday products