Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers causes pleural mesothelioma and swallowed asbestos can cause mesothelioma peritoneal.
These symptoms can be a sign of less serious illnesses. They may take between 10 and 50 years to show. Symptoms include shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and chest pain.
Risk Factors
Mesothelioma is a form of asbestos that develops when asbestos fibres get into the body. The most common mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the chest cavity and the lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma is in the peritoneum or in the membrane around the heart (pericardium). It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to develop and show symptoms that are often confused with flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is more common in older people and is more frequent in males than females.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral composed of tiny fibres, was employed as a building material, for example, in ceilings and walls. It is resistant to heat and fire. It was also extensively used in the manufacture of goods like pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease for those working in industries that employ asbestos, like shipbuilding, mining or construction. However, even those who only experienced secondary exposure such as family members who brought home asbestos on their clothing and skin, are at risk.
A small proportion (less than five percent) of mesothelioma is due to mutations in the gene BAP1. This genetic change can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos.
The age of the patient is also an indicator of risk. Mesothelioma typically affects those over 45 and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is due to the long duration of exposure to asbestos. However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease due to the prolonged exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is more prevalent in white males than females or those belonging to any other racial group. This is due to the fact that historically more white males have been employed in occupations which put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. In addition, mesothelioma is typically seen in people who were exposed to asbestos prior to when better regulations were put into during the 1980s.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, occurs in the linings that protect many organs. The cancerous tumors can cause severe pain and damage the tissue. The malignancy could expand to other areas through the lymphatic or bloodstream system.
The symptoms of mesothelioma could be similar to other diseases such as influenza or pneumonia. It can take up to 50 years following asbestos exposure before they show symptoms. The time of latency can make it difficult to detect the disease early and symptoms may be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.
In most cases, the malignant tumors begin in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). Mesothelioma can also develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and the heart. In rare cases the disease may affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).
Asbestos is a grouping of minerals which form long, thin fibres. The fibers are so strong that they are unable to be broken down by chemicals or water, or even bacteria. They were commonly used in a variety construction and household products before scientists realised the dangers they posed to people's lives.
The majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or at home and the majority of those exposed were employed in the US Navy and the air force, the shipbuilding or construction. It is more common in males than females and veterans comprise about 30 percent of mesothelioma cases.
If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can spot it by performing imaging scans and medical tests. These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory to be tested.
The results will allow doctors to determine the type of mesothelioma and stage of the disease which can affect the prognosis as well as treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid and between 10 and 15 percent are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less invasive and generally has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a poorer prognosis and is more difficult to treat.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages. Patients should first consult their primary physician if they notice any signs like chest pain or coughing. The doctor will use a stethoscope listen to the patient's breathing and take note of their health and work history. This includes any asbestos exposure history, which is crucial to determine mesothelioma's presence.
Since mesothelioma's symptoms mirror those of other illnesses, doctors must be able to rule out other conditions prior to making a diagnosis. Cancer can spread to the lungs of a patient from other organs like the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, like pneumonia, are very common among asbestos-related victims. Pleural mesothelioma could be mistaken for other respiratory diseases.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests can help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is most often found in the lungs, but can also be in the stomach or the testicles. These tests can also help doctors find out how much of the cancer is spreading in the body.
A CT scan or MRI may reveal signs of mesothelioma, such as calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and a buildup of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall. These tests can also show whether a person has more lung tissue on one side or the other.
In many cases, a biopsied is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing small amounts of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma.
Certain patients might require additional tests, like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which allows doctors to check the lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest and test them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS), using sound waves to look at the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, is still being treated by medical professionals. Therefore those diagnosed with the cancer must weigh their options carefully to determine the best treatment for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms generally don't show up until a few years after exposure to asbestos. It is essential that those who have been exposed to asbestos be checked asbestos mesothelioma cancer for any strange symptoms.
A doctor will take an medical history to look for mesothelioma risk factors, such as how long and how intensely an individual was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an exam to look for symptoms of mesothelioma such as fluid build-up in the chest cavity. The type of cells found in the mesothelium and the location of these cells, are used to classify mesothelioma. The most popular mesothelioma type is epithelioid, which makes up to 60% to the majority of mesothelioma patients. Other types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma that both account for about 10% to 15% of mesothelioma patients.
There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease.
In some cases, mesothelioma may be treatable through radiation or chemotherapy. In these procedures, doctors administer powerful cancer-fighting drugs or utilize special equipment to destroy tumors and reduce the chances of mesothelioma coming back.
Other forms of mesothelioma are treated with surgery that removes a portion of the lining from the affected organ. It can also alleviate symptoms such as breathing difficulties.
A person suffering from pleural asbestosis may undergo a procedure known as VATS. This involves inserting a camera into lung and then removing a portion of the pleura and lung. This procedure can alleviate breathing problems caused by the build-up of fluid in the lungs, however it is not a cure for the disease.
Other options for treatment include support or pain management. It is essential for patients suffering from mesothelioma to obtain as much information as they can about the disease and how to deal with it. The more they are aware of the more equipped they are to plan for an enjoyable and healthy future.