9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area.
The symptoms may be similar to those of less serious illnesses and may take between 10 and 50 years to appear. Symptoms can include chest pain, abdominal distress and shortness of breathe.
Risk Factors
Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum, or the heart's membrane (pericardium). It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to form and to show signs that can be mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma is more common in older people and is more prevalent in males than females.
The main risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of tiny fibres, was utilized as a building material such as in ceilings and walls. It is resistant to heat and fire. It was also used extensively in the manufacturing of goods like pipes, insulations, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for those who work in industries that make use of asbestos, such as mining, shipbuilding, or construction. Even those who have had secondary exposure to asbestos claim such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk.
A small percentage (less than 5%) of mesothelioma is due to an alteration in the gene BAP1. This genetic change can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma among people who have been exposed asbestos.
The patient's age is also a risk factor. Mesothelioma is most common in those who are who are older than 45, and two thirds of those diagnosed with it are 65 years old or older. This is due to the lengthy latency associated with asbestos exposure. However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the long exposure.
Mesothelioma is more common in white males than women or those belonging to any other race. This is due to the fact that historically white men were more likely to work in jobs that put them at greater risk of asbestos exposure than other groups. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who were exposed asbestos prior to the 1980s, when better regulations were in place.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by asbestos, develops in the linings that protect several organs. The cancerous tumors can cause extreme pain and damage the tissue. The malignancy can be spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other diseases such as influenza or pneumonia. They often take 10 - 50 years to appear after exposure to asbestos. This delay in time makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma early, and the symptoms can be misinterpreted as other diseases.
In the majority of cases, malignant tumors start in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma may also develop in the linings around the abdomen and heart. In rare cases, the disease can even affect the testes' lining or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).
Asbestos is a group of minerals that form long thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they are unable to be broken down by chemicals and water, or by bacteria. They were used extensively in a range of construction and household products before scientists discovered how hazardous they were to people's lives.
Most mesothelioma cases were caused by exposure to asbestos either at workplace or at home. The majority of patients exposed were employed by the US Navy or Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. It is more prevalent among males than females and veterans account for about 30 percent of mesothelioma cases.
When mesothelioma is diagnosed, doctors can identify it by performing imaging scans and medical tests. These include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor may also send a sample of tissue to a laboratory for analysis.
The results will allow doctors to determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease, which influences prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid or sarcomatoid and between 10 and 15 percent are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is usually less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to diagnose and has a lower prognosis.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma, especially in the early stages. The first step is to visit their primary physician with any signs, like coughing or chest pains. The doctor will utilize a stethoscope to listen to the patient breathing and then record their health and work history. This includes any asbestos exposure information, 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 example, the cancer often spreads to a person's lungs from another part of their body, like the chest wall or abdomen. asbestos law-related lung diseases, like pneumonia, are common among asbestos sufferers. Pleural mesothelioma may be confused with other respiratory illnesses.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests can aid doctors in identifying the cancerous site that is typically located in the lungs, but could also be found in the stomach or testicles. The tests can help doctors determine how far cancer has spread within the body.
A CT scan or MRI may reveal signs of mesothelioma. These include calcium deposits (also called plaque) in the pleura, and an accumulation between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether the lungs of a person are more prominent on one side or the other.
In many cases a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing small quantities of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma.
Some patients may require additional tests, such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), which allows doctors to see how the tumor is affecting the blood supply to the lungs. mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to examine and sample lymph nodes that are located in the center of the chest; or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to look at mesothelium and the lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer need to carefully consider their options to determine the best treatment for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the lung linings, abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms are not usually evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. It is crucial that those who have been exposed to asbestos get checked if they experience any strange symptoms.
A doctor will take an medical history to look for mesothelioma risk factors, including how long and how often someone was exposed to asbestos. A doctor can also perform an exam to check for signs of mesothelioma such as fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is categorized by the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium and the location of those cells. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60% to 80% mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which both represent about 10% to 15% of mesothelioma cases.
There are many different treatment options available for people with mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the disease.
In certain instances, mesothelioma can be treated through radiation or chemotherapy. During these treatments doctors use powerful chemotherapy drugs or equipment to eliminate tumors. This reduces the chance of mesothelioma returning.
Other mesothelioma types are treated with surgery that removes part of the lining from the affected organ. This can also help relieve breathing difficulties and other symptoms.
If a person has mesothelioma of the pleura and their doctor recommends the procedure known as VATS, which uses a camera inserted into the lungs to remove part of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate the breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, but is not a cure for the disease.
Other treatment options include support or pain management. It is crucial for those with mesothelioma to get as much information as they can about the disease and how to cope with it. The more knowledgeable they are and the more they are able to plan for a future which includes a variety of health and wellness activities.