Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma, a cancerous tumor that is caused by asbestos exposure is a serious illness The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma pleural and swallowing asbestos can cause mesothelioma of the peritoneal region These symptoms can be a sign of less serious illnesses They can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years before they appear Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and abdominal distress Risk Factors Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibres enter the body Pleural mesothelioma forms in the linings of the chest cavity or lungs Mesothelioma can also develop in the peritoneum the membrane that surrounds the heart or in the pericardium The cancer may take up to 50 years to develop before it manifests symptoms These symptoms are often misinterpreted as flu-like illnesses Mesothelioma is most often found in older people, and it is more prevalent in men than women The exposure to asbestos is the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of tiny fibres that were used in construction materials, like walls and ceilings, because of its resistance to fire and heat It was also used in the manufacture of goods like pipes, insulation, shingles and cement People who worked in industries where asbestos was prevalent, such as shipbuilding, mining, or construction are at risk of developing mesothelioma However, even those who only experienced secondary exposure, such as family members who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothing and skin, are at risk A small percentage less than 5percent of mesothelioma can be traced to mutations in the gene BAP1 This genetic change can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos Age is another significant risk factor for mesothelioma Mesothelioma is most prevalent in those who are over 45 years old, and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years or older This is due to the lengthy duration of exposure to asbestos However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the long-term exposure to asbestos White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma more than any other race or gender This is due to the fact that historically, more white men have worked in jobs that put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups Additionally, mesothelioma is most often seen in those who were exposed to asbestos before better regulations were put into the 1980s Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by asbestos, develops in the linings that protect many organs The cancerous tumors that form in the tissue can cause irreparable damage and pain The malignancy can expand to other areas through the bloodstream or lymphatic system The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other diseases such as influenza or pneumonia They often take 10 - 50 years to show up after exposure to asbestos This delay in time makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma early, and the symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions The majority of malignant tumors start in the chest cavity or lungs pleura But mesothelioma can also form in the tissues of the heart and abdomen In rare instances, it can affect the lining around the heart or the testes Asbestos is a group of minerals that create long, thin fibers These fibers are so durable that they are unable to be broken down by chemical or water, or even bacteria They were used extensively in a variety construction and household products before scientists discovered how hazardous they were to people's lives The majority of patients with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those who were exposed were employed in the US Navy and the air force, the shipbuilding or construction Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women Veterans comprise about 30 percent of all cases When mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors can spot it through medical tests and imaging scans These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans The doctor may also collect a sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for testing The results can help determine the mesothelioma's stage and type which can affect the prognosis and treatment options The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and between 10 and 15 percent are biphasic, or mixed Epithelioid cancers are less aggressive and generally has the highest rate of survival Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to identify and has a poorer prognosis Diagnosis It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma, particularly at an early stage Patients should first consult their primary care physician when they experience any symptoms such as chest pains or coughing The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the patient's breathing and take note of their health history and work history This includes any asbestos exposure history, which is crucial to determine mesothelioma's presence Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can confirm a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases For instance the cancer is often spread to a person's lungs from a different part of their body, like their chest wall or abdomen Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common in asbestos-related victims Pleural mesothelioma can also be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests as well as imaging tests and biopsies These tests will aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is most typically in the lungs, but can also be in the stomach or the testicles The tests can help doctors determine the extent to which the cancer has spread in the body A CT scan or MRI could reveal signs of mesothelioma These include calcium deposits also known as plaque in the pleura and a buildup between the lungs and chest wall These tests can also determine whether a patient has more lung capacity on one side or the other In many instances, a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma This procedure involves removing a small amount of tissue and testing it in the lab for mesothelioma-related cells Certain patients may require additional tests like FDG-positron emission tomography PET which allows doctors to check the lymph nodes that are located in the middle of the chest and to take samples of them, or endobronchial ultrasound EBUS using sound waves to look at the lungs and the mesothelium Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, is still being treated by doctors Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should carefully consider their options to find the best treatment for them https//vimeocom/704933365 can affect the lining of the lungs pleural mesothelioma, abdomen peritoneal mesothelioma or heart pericardial mesothelioma The symptoms usually don't show up for several decades following exposure to asbestos It is essential that those who have been exposed to asbestos should be examined if they exhibit any strange symptoms A doctor will review your medical history to determine if you have mesothelioma-related risks This is based on how long and how frequently you were exposed to asbestos A doctor will also perform an examination to look for mesothelioma signs, such as the accumulation of fluids in the chest cavity Mesothelioma is categorized by the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium as well as where those cells are located The most popular type of mesothelioma is epithelioid, and accounts for up 60 to the majority of mesothelioma patients Other mesothelioma types are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma which represent about 10 to 15 of mesothelioma cases There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma The treatment option is based on the type and stage of the mesothelioma In certain instances, mesothelioma can be treatable through radiation or chemotherapy During these treatments doctors use powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to destroy tumors This reduces the chance of mesothelioma recurring Other forms of mesothelioma can be treated surgically, which removes parts of the lining of the affected organ This can also relieve symptoms such as breathing difficulties A person with asbestosis pleural may undergo a procedure called VATS This involves placing a camera in the lung and then removing a portion of the lung and pleura This procedure can help improve breathing problems caused by the build-up of fluid in the lungs, however it does not cure the condition Other options for treatment include support services or pain management It is important for people who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather as much information as they can about the disease and ways to deal with it The more they are aware of the more equipped they will be to plan for a an enjoyable and healthy future