Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects organ linings is a rare disease. Most cases involve the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) however it may also occur in the lining of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
The symptoms of mesothelioma may take up to 50 years to manifest, and can appear similar to those of other diseases. These include chest pain, fatigue, and breathing problems.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a form of asbestos cancer affects the lining that covers certain organs. This includes the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen and heart. Certain professions are more prone to expose people to asbestos. Miners, mill workers and electricians are at greater risk. People who have worked in the military or in a shipyard may also be at a higher risk. Mesothelioma typically appears decades after asbestos is exposed. The symptoms of mesothelioma typically start in the chest wall or lungs. It can also affect the pericardial (heart lining) or testicular (peritoneal mesothelioma).
Asbestos fibers that are scattered can be inhaled or swallowed. When they cling to the organ's lining, they can cause irritation, and eventually develop into tumors. Mesothelioma is a malignant form of cancer. This means that the cancer can be spread to other parts of your body.
Mesothelioma is often first diagnosed by chest pain and breathlessness. However, the disease can lead to more severe symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, abdominal swelling and trouble swallowing. The symptoms are often difficult to recognize, as they may appear similar to other illnesses. This is why mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as well as doctors and patients may not be aware of it for many years.
There are three kinds of epithelioid (biphasic) and Sarcomatoid (biphasic) and mixed. The most common type is epithelioid, which accounts for 60% to 80percent of mesothelioma cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which is less frequent, but is more aggressive than epithelioid mesothelioma. Mixed mesothelioma is the least common, and most difficult to treat. It combines epithelioid with the sarcomatoid type of cells.
The primary cause of mesothelioma's development is asbestos exposure. More than 30 million people are estimated to have been exposed to asbestos prior to its prohibition in the 1970s. The disease is not common and the majority of patients with mesothelioma have a history of asbestos exposure at work. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma typically are 65 or over. Men are more prone to mesothelioma. It is also more prevalent for people of white heritage than other races. The condition is a possibility for everyone regardless of age or race.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms can vary based on the type of mesothelioma that is present and the location of the tumor in your body. It is uncommon for mesothelioma tumors to begin in the lung (pleura) however it could be found in the chest cavity's lining as well as abdominal organs and other organs of your body.
If you have been exposed to asbestos and you are experiencing symptoms, consult your doctor right away. They will suggest taking a biopsy, which will be an extract of tissue to conduct further tests. The tissue will be examined at by specialists in mesothelioma. They will check for the presence of specific cancer cells.
Asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma. The disease is most prevalent for those who work with asbestos-containing materials, for example, those employed in construction or shipbuilding. Workers who were employed in the military, in hospitals and schools are also at risk of mesothelioma due to their exposure to asbestos-contaminated products.
The condition develops slowly and often does not show any symptoms in the initial stages. If it does produce any symptoms, they could be similar to those of other illnesses or injuries. Pleural mesothelioma for instance can cause chest pain and coughing that are similar to those that are caused by pneumonia or COPD. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may also have a buildup in fluid in the chest cavity, referred to as an pleural effusion. This fluid can affect your breathing making it harder to breathe.
The cancer can expand and become more aggressive in the latter stages of mesothelioma. This can cause more symptoms, including weight loss, fatigue, and difficulties swallowing. This condition may also trigger an accumulation of fluid around the heart, which is known as pericardial Mesothelioma. This can lead to serious heart problems.
70 to 40% of patients are epithelioid. It is easier to treat than the more aggressive sarcomatoid type which is present in 10% to 20 percent of diagnoses. Mesothelioma may also present in a biphasic type that is a mix between the two types. This type has a worse prognosis when compared to either type of mesothelioma by itself. If you suspect mesothelioma seek medical treatment immediately.
Diagnosis
Many mesothelioma patients are not diagnosed until they exhibit symptoms such as coughing, chest pain or difficulty breathing. They should visit their GP and disclose any history of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma typically does not show up until decades or years after asbestos exposure. This delay makes it difficult to detect and a lot of doctors mistake mesothelioma as a common disease like lung cancer or pneumonia.
Once a doctor notices that a patient is suffering from symptoms, they will do several tests to determine what is causing the symptoms. This includes imaging and blood tests. Blood tests can be used to assess the levels of certain chemicals in the body, in order to identify signs of mesothelioma. Imaging tests include Xrays, CT scans and an MRI. CT scans can be used as an instrument for diagnosing whether there is a fluid buildup within the abdomen or in the lungs. They can also help doctors detect the presence of a mesothelioma tumor in the stomach cavity, or heart.
A biopsy is usually necessary to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking a small portion of tissue from the affected area, and then studying it under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cell. A biopsy can be carried out surgically or with a needle. The type of cell found in mesothelioma can assist doctors determine the best treatment.
The most common forms are epithelioid and the sarcomatoid. Epithelioid is the most common type, accounting for the majority of cases, whereas mesothelioma that is sarcomatoid has a less prognosis and is less susceptible to treatment.
A person with mesothelioma might be undergoing a test known as positron emission tomography (PET). This is achieved by giving the patient the shot of a radioactive substance that attaches to the cancer cells. The doctor takes pictures of the body in order to find areas that appear brighter, which can help him pinpoint a mesothelioma. The doctor may order additional tests to determine the cause of mesothelioma.
Treatment
Asbestos is an assortment of minerals that contain microscopic fibers. Asbestos fibers may get trapped in the mesothelium when asbestos is broken, inhaled, or swallowed. In time, this can lead to inflammation, scarring, and cell damage that could eventually progress into mesothelioma. Symptoms do not usually appear until 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. The majority of people who develop mesothelioma work in jobs in which they have been exposed to asbestos, such as shipbuilding, construction work as well as asbestos mining and automotive jobs in the industry. Military service in the United States puts you at the risk of developing mesothelioma since asbestos was utilized by various branches of the military, including in cars and ships.
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being similar to other diseases. It is more prevalent in men. lung mesothelioma is probably because men are more likely to work in high-risk positions where asbestos is used and also because it is diagnosed later in life.
The first step in determining mesothelioma is to examine the patient's history. Doctors should inquire with the patient about their asbestos exposure and any other symptoms they may have been experiencing. Blood tests, X-rays and other tests can help doctors find out what kind of mesothelioma sufferer has and where it is situated within the body, and what stage it is at.
A biopsy is the most reliable way to determine if mesothelioma is present. A sample of tissue or fluid taken from the abdomen or chest is taken to be examined using a microscope. There are a variety of types of biopsies that range from the fine needle to surgical biopsy. When combined with the results of a chest CT scan or MRI biopsy is the most conclusive method of mesothelioma diagnosis.
There are four stages of mesothelioma and the treatment options are different depending on the type and stage. Pleural mesothelioma, that is found in the lining (pleura) of the chest cavity and causes respiratory problems is the most frequent type of the disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the stomach cavity's lining and causes digestive symptoms. Testicular mesothelioma which is less frequent, but can trigger genital pain and unusual symptoms is a rarer type.