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Mesothelioma

Construction workers, industrial workers, military veterans and others who worked with asbestos-contaminated products are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Repeated exposure to asbestos fibers creates chronic inflammation that damages mesothelium and causes DNA changes.

Malignant mesothelioma risk increases proportionally with exposure cumulatively and to the third or fourth power of time from the first exposure. It can take between 10 and 50 years following the exposure for symptoms to manifest.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the cells that cover body areas, known as the mesothelium. The mesothelium lining protects organs as well as other tissue by lubricating them so they slide over each other with ease. Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that can grow to other parts of the body and affect the lungs, the heart and abdomen. It can also trigger other symptoms, like chest pain and fatigue.

Symptoms of mesothelioma can take between 10 and 50 years to appear and make it difficult for doctors to recognize the condition. It can also be mistaken for other conditions such as pneumonia or flu.

Patients may experience symptoms like difficulty breathing, persistent coughing and chest pain or change in the form of the nails and fingers, called clubbing. Additionally, patients with mesothelioma may develop a swelling of fluid in the chest or belly (peritoneal mesothelioma), a condition that is known as a pleural effusion.

Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma isn't detectable on imaging tests, like an X-ray or CT scan, until the cancer has progressed for a number of years. Often, doctors need to conduct an examination to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis. This can be accomplished with an bronchoscopy, or needle biopsy.

These diagnostic procedures can assist doctors make a mesothelioma diagnosis and establish the best treatment option for the patient. Doctors can also look over the history of a patient's asbestos exposure to determine if he or she is at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses.

The people who are exposed to asbestos at work are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other diseases. People working in shipbuilding, construction, and other blue-collar occupations and veterans of the United States Armed Forces are at high risk. People who are exposed to asbestos workers are also at risk of mesothelioma, particularly if the worker brings asbestos fibers from the workplace on his or her clothing.

Patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may benefit from regularly visiting their family doctor to have a check-up and talk about any asbestos-related health concerns. This is particularly important since mesothelioma is often mistaken for other illnesses, like asbestosis.

Diagnosis

The first signs of mesothelioma often appear like flu or a gastrointestinal problem. Patients may not notice symptoms until 10 to 50 years after asbestos exposure due to the long latency period. It is also difficult to identify due to its similarity to other illnesses. Many mesothelioma symptoms also differ based on the region of the body affected.

The first step is to visit a primary care physician or another doctor who can help determine the reason for these symptoms. They will ask for your medical history and look to see if asbestos exposure has been mentioned. They will also perform an examination and run basic tests like blood tests or X rays.

Depending on the mesothelioma type A biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. The procedure involves inserting a needle in the chest or abdomen to take a small portion of the tissue. It is then examined in a lab to search for cancerous mesothelioma cells. Mesothelioma cancer cells can be epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and both are malignant. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 70% of mesothelioma cases, while sarcomatoid mesothelioma makes up the remaining 70%.

Once a mesothelioma biopsy has been completed, doctors can create an action plan. They typically refer the patient to a specialist for advice on the most effective treatment for their particular condition.

Mesothelioma is caused by the inhalation of tiny asbestos fibers. Asbestos is an assortment of minerals that look like bundles of thin, tiny fibers. These fibers can be found in soil, rock and are released into the air during construction and mining. When inhaled, these fibers become stuck in the lungs and cause inflammation. In time, this may cause scarring (asbestosis) and eventually mesothelioma. The majority of cancers are located in the lungs, but it can also grow in the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or in the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma).

Treatment

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, which is an abnormal growth of cells that invade the surrounding organs and tissues. Cancerous cells may also expand through the lymphatic bloodstream to other areas of your body.

Mesothelioma treatment options vary depending on the type and location of mesothelioma. Currently, doctors use chemotherapy and surgery to treat mesothelioma. Radiation therapy is often used in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. Its goal is to destroy cancerous cells and decrease the pain and swelling associated with mesothelioma.

Asbestos exposure can cause asbestosis. It is a non-cancerous illness that causes scarring in the lungs as well as on other organs of the body. It may also lead to mesothelioma which is a more serious form of asbestos illness that's typically fatal. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is aggressive that typically affects the abdomen and lungs. Symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and coughing. Mesothelioma can be identified by X-rays as well as CT scans. The resulting images show areas of higher density that could indicate either scar tissue or a tumor mass. Doctors can perform a needle biopsy or bronchoscopy to determine the distinction.

A bronchoscopy involves inserting a thin tube into the breathing passages in order to view the tissues and take samples to test. A needle biopsy involves injecting a liquid into the region to take a small piece of tissue for testing. Both procedures are painful, but the results aid in diagnosing mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Mesothelioma symptoms are similar those of other diseases and can take as long as 50 years to develop following initial exposure. It is difficult to determine mesothelioma due to the time between asbestos exposure and the onset of symptoms. It's not uncommon for people to be misdiagnosed with other diseases such as pneumonia or the flu.

While scientists don't know for sure what causes mesothelioma, they do know that exposure to asbestos increases the risk. Asbestos exposure could be caused by working in industries like asbestos lawyer mining, manufacturing and construction. Workers also transport asbestos-containing products to their homes as well as other workplaces, where they may breathe in or ingest the fibers. The types of asbestos that are most commonly involved in mesothelioma cases are amphibole and serpentine asbestos fibers. The serpentine type is typically less carcinogenic than the amphibole variety however both types can cause disease.

Prognosis

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that lines internal organs. It is typically caused by exposure to asbestos as which is a grouping of minerals that are resistant to heat and durable. It is believed asbestos fibers enter the lungs and then irritate the mesothelium. This irritation could lead to genetic mutations which eventually cause the growth of tumors.

Asbestos can be exposed in a variety of ways, such as during mining, manufacturing, cleaning or repairing asbestos products. It is also possible to be exposed during a person's home life by washing or wearing clothes that contain asbestos. Certain people are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma due to of their family history of the illness or an increased risk of developing it due to other factors, such as genetics.

People with mesothelioma can have a variety of symptoms, and they often resemble other illnesses. This can make it difficult for doctors to recognize mesothelioma earlier. It is important for people who have been exposed to asbestos to discuss their history with their doctor and ask for regular check-ups.

The majority of cases of mesothelioma result from asbestos exposure at work. However, studies show that environmental asbestos exposure can also cause mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that asbestos dust can be transported from the workplace to other areas in which people live. Residents who live within 2000m of an asbestos mine or cement plant are at greater risk of mesothelioma.

Some people with mesothelioma develop asbestosis, a lung disease, before their mesothelioma begins. Asbestosis causes thickening of the lung, which can make it difficult to breathe. This condition can lead people to need oxygen at home, and they might also need to undergo lung procedures like a lobectomy.

Additionally, some patients with mesothelioma are treated for symptoms of their cancer. Some people with mesothelioma are treated with drugs to improve their breathing, or they may take part in clinical studies to test treatments. Mesothelioma is still a deadly disease, but early detection and treatment can improve the chance of survival. Patients who have undergone multiple rounds of surgery and chemotherapy have been able to extend their lives by as much as 10 years.