Mesothelioma - An Asbestos Illness Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the protective linings of certain organs It is typically found in the lungs but it can also grow in the abdomen or chest wall People who have been exposed for a long period of time to asbestos at high levels and over a long period are at risk It may take between 10 and 50 years before mesothelioma begins to show symptoms Symptoms Mesothelioma is a tumor that can be cancerous that affects a few organs of the body is usually caused by asbestos exposure It is typically found in the lung linings however it can also occur in the linings of the heart or stomach It most commonly occurs in people aged 60 to 80, and is more prevalent in men than women The only known cause of Mesothelioma is the exposure to asbestos The signs of cancer usually manifest between 10 and fifty years after exposure to the mineral Asbestos fibers can be inhaled or eaten, and then lie dormant for a while before causing health issues The early mesothelioma symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses such as pneumonia, influenza or lung problems This makes it difficult for doctors and patients to recognize the illness In the later mesothelioma's advanced stages patients can experience more painful and severe symptoms The type of symptoms depends on where the cancer is located Pleural mesothelioma can cause chest pain and difficulty breathing Peritoneal mesothelioma can cause abdominal pain or swelling Patients suffering from mesothelioma in its late stages can also experience nausea, fatigue and weight loss Cancer cells can spread from the lymph nodes to the bloodstream in some instances This can worsen existing symptoms and cause new ones to appear Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through an exhaustive examination and asking the patient about their asbestos exposure history They then refer the patient for further tests, which may include imaging technologies that can see inside the body and check how far the cancer has spread These technologies can also be used to evaluate the treatment plan, monitor the patient's response to treatments, and determine the stage of cancer Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of specific internal organs It is triggered by exposure to asbestos It can take anywhere from 15 to 50 years following exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to develop It most commonly occurs in the Pleura lungs, but it can also happen in the pericardium or peritoneum Mesothelioma cannot be cured but treatment can alleviate symptoms Workers in industries that use asbestos are at higher risk of contracting the disease People who are exposed to the mineral in other ways, for example, living in a house or school that has been exposed asbestos, are also at risk Mesothelioma is the most common cancer among those over 75 and men are more likely to develop it than women Mesothelioma is linked to a number of different jobs, but most cases involve people who worked directly with asbestos or worked in areas with substantial asbestos exposure like construction sites, mines and asbestos insulation plants This includes miners, shipyard workers, electricians painters and other tradespeople Asbestos is one of the naturally occurring minerals which are tiny fibers that form bundles Around the globe it is found in rocks and soil When asbestos is disturbed, it releases the fibers into the air and can be inhaled When these fibers are breathed in they can cause damage to the lungs and trigger respiratory ailments like asbestosis They can cause malignant pleural mesothelioma with time The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for a doctor to take a full medical history and evaluate the patient They will inquire about the asbestos exposure of the patient and perform a chest X scan and CT scan The doctor will use a needle to remove the fluid from the affected area The sample will be analyzed for mesothelioma They can also perform biopsy of the affected tissue to confirm mesothelioma If a doctor suspects that mesothelioma has been diagnosed in a patient, they will likely refer them to a specialist The specialist will conduct additional tests and determine the treatment plan Treatment Mesothelioma can be a life-threatening illness Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should discuss their experience with a doctor and receive regular screenings Mesothelioma symptoms typically appear years after exposure to asbestos The latency period of mesothelioma can make it difficult for patients to receive a diagnosis However, the mesothelioma prognosis is generally very favorable when a patient is treated early and with aggressive treatment methods Asbestos is made up of an assortment of minerals that have microscopic fibers These fibers are invulnerable to fire, heat, and chemicals, and they do not conduct electricity Asbestos was once widely used in the construction and other industries because of these properties However, the health hazards associated with asbestos were not fully understood until recent times Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should inform their doctor if they have persistent symptoms, such as dry cough, difficulty breathing or changes in the shape of the fingers and toes finger clubbing Mesothelioma may also cause other conditions, like pulmonary fibroids This is an inflammatory lung disease that causes scarring of the lungs This can lead to severe respiratory issues and a decrease in a patient's quality of life There are three kinds of mesothelioma malignant pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesotheliom the sarcomatoid mesothelioma The type of mesothelioma that a patient is diagnosed with determines the treatment options and prognosis Pleural mesothelioma can affect the lining pleura of the lungs Asbestos exposure can cause this cancer, which can take up to 50 years to develop and cause evident symptoms It can cause chest pain and accumulation of fluid in the pleura A CT scan, MRI or biopsy are frequently used to diagnose pleural mesothelioma These tests can reveal bumps and lumps within the pleura, which help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma the patient has The types of mesothelioma differ according to the type of cell and growth rate The most commonly used mesothelioma type, epithelioid, accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases Sarcomatoid is more rare than epithelioid and develops faster Biphasic mesothelioma that combines epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cell types is extremely rare The mesothelioma type can also influence the recurrence rate of the disease The following is a list with preventions The highest danger is for people who work with asbestos or live in areas in which asbestos-containing materials are disposed of However, mesothelioma can also be caused by living near an asbestos mine or a factory or exposure to airborne asbestos fibers from natural asbestos deposits or having a relative who worked with asbestos Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring minerals which contain tiny microscopic fibers The mineral was used in a variety of construction materials because it is strong and fire-resistant Workers who work with asbestos are exposed when they break up the materials or take away the items from their work area These fibers can cause irritation to the organ's linings when inhaled or eaten Mesothelioma typically develops as a result of heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos Mesothelioma symptoms often resemble those of more common ailments such as lung cancer, pneumonia or bronchitis Because of https//vimeocom/704908908 , mesothelioma can be incorrectly diagnosed Patients are not given the proper care or receive the correct treatment as a result A biopsy is the most efficient way to detect mesothelioma During this procedure, doctors remove the tissue from the suspected tumor or mass, and then study it under a microscope to determine whether it is cancerous Most cases of mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure at work The most vulnerable are miners, those who work in the production of asbestos-containing products such as insulation, railroad and automotive workers, ship builders and gas mask makers However, it has been found that relatives of asbestos-related workers may also be at risk for an increased risk of developing mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos from the clothes they used to wear at home Researchers don't know what causes mesothelioma and why some people have higher chance of developing it than other Researchers believe that a mix of factors are at play, including how much and how long a person was exposed to asbestos, the person's genetics and if they received radiation treatment in the past