Mesothelioma - An Asbestos Illness
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the linings that protect certain organs. It is most often found in the lung (pleura) but can develop in the chest wall, abdomen, or tests.
People who have been exposed to asbestos for a long period and at high levels are at risk of developing this condition. Mesothelioma symptoms may manifest between 10 and 50 years after exposure.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of some organs of the body usually caused by exposure to asbestos. It is most often found in the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) however, it could also develop in the lining of the stomach or heart, or the testes. It is most common among people between 60 and 80 years old and more common in women than males.
The exposure to asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma, and symptoms of the cancer typically manifest between 10 and 50 years after exposure to the mineral. This is due to stray asbestos fibers that are breathed in or ingested can lay dormant in organ linings before they cause health problems.
The early mesothelioma symptoms can be misinterpreted as other illnesses like pneumonia, influenza or lung issues. This makes it difficult for doctors to recognize the condition, and could cause delays in treatment.
In the latter stages of mesothelioma patients can suffer more painful and severe symptoms. The severity of the symptoms varies on the location where the cancer is located. Pleural mesothelioma causes chest pain and breathing difficulties. Peritoneal mesothelioma can cause abdominal pain or swelling.
Patients with mesothelioma that is in its late stage may also experience fatigue, nausea and weight loss. Cancer cells can spread from lymph nodes to the bloodstream in certain cases. This can worsen existing symptoms and trigger new ones to manifest.
Doctors can help to diagnose mesothelioma by looking at a patient and asking about their history of exposure to asbestos. They will then refer the patient to further tests, including imaging technologies that can see inside the body and check how far the cancer has spread. These technologies can also be used to evaluate the treatment plan, track the patient's response to treatments and even stage a cancer.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of certain internal organs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. It can take anywhere between 15 to 50 years following exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can develop. It is most often found in the Pleura (lungs), but it could also occur in the pericardium and peritoneum. Mesothelioma is not curable but treatment can manage symptoms.
People who work in industries that employ asbestos are at a higher risk of developing the disease. People who have been exposed to asbestos in other ways, such as living in a house or school which has been exposed to asbestos is also at risk. Mesothelioma is most common in people over 75, and males are more likely to contract it than women.
Mesothelioma has been linked to many different jobs, but the majority involve those who were directly with asbestos or who worked in areas where there was substantial asbestos exposure, such as construction sites, mines and asbestos insulation plants. This includes miners shipyard workers, electricians painting and other tradespeople.
Asbestos is one of the naturally occurring minerals that form small fibers. All over the world it is found in rocks and soil. When asbestos is disturbed it releases the fibers into the atmosphere and can be inhaled. When these fibers are breathed in, they can damage the lungs and lead to respiratory ailments like asbestosis. Over time, they can cause malignant mesothelioma, a form of cancer.
A doctor will first assess and collect a medical history of the patient. They will ask questions regarding the person's exposure to asbestos and will perform an X-ray chest and CT scan.
If there is a buildup of fluid The doctor can insert a needle into the area and collect the area to look for mesothelioma cells. They can also take a biopsy of the affected tissue to confirm mesothelioma.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, they'll likely refer the person to a specialist. The specialist will conduct additional tests and establish the best treatment option.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a life-threatening and serious illness. People who have been exposed to asbestos should discuss their experiences with a doctor and get regular screenings. Mesothelioma symptoms typically show up decades after exposure to asbestos. The latency period of mesothelioma can make it difficult for patients to be diagnosed. However, the mesothelioma prognosis is usually very good when the patient is treated early and with aggressive treatment methods.
Asbestos is one of the minerals with microscopic, thin fibers. These fibers are resistant to heat, chemicals and fire and are not conductive to electrical current. Asbestos was previously used extensively in the construction industry and other fields due to its properties. However the health risks associated with asbestos were not fully understood until recent times.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should tell their doctor if they have persistent symptoms such as dry cough, difficulty breathing or changes in the shape of fingers and toes (finger clubbing). Mesothelioma can cause other illnesses, including the inflammatory lung condition that causes scarring of the lungs. This can cause serious respiratory problems, and reduce the quality of life for patients.
There are three types of mesothelioma: malignant pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesotheliom mysothelioma sarcomatoid. The type of mesothelioma that a patient has will determine the treatment options and outlook.
The most common type of mesothelioma is mesothelioma of the pleural region, which affects the lining of the lungs (pleura). Asbestos exposure can cause this type of cancer, which can take up 50 years to develop, and may cause noticeable symptoms. It can cause chest pain and swelling of fluid in the pleura.
Pleural mesothelioma is usually diagnosed using tests such as the CT scan, an MRI and a biopsy. These tests can identify bumps or lumps within the pleura, and aid doctors determine what type of mesothelioma the patient has.
Mesothelioma types vary according to the type of cell and rate of growth. Epithelioid is the most common form, accounting for 60 percent to the majority of. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which is less common, and grows faster than epithelioid mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma that combines epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cell types is uncommon. The mesothelioma form can affect the recurrence rate of the disease.
The following is a list of preventions.
People who work with asbestos or live in an area where materials containing asbestos are disposed of have the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma. But mesothelioma can be caused from living near an asbestos mine or a factory or exposure to airborne asbestos fibers from natural asbestos claim deposits or even simply having a family member who worked with asbestos.
Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring minerals which contain tiny microscopic fibers. The mineral was used in a variety of construction products due to the fact that it is strong and fire-resistant. People who work with asbestos are exposed to small particles of the mineral when the materials they work with are broken or when removing these products from their work. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they can cause irritation to the lining of the organ that they enter. Mesothelioma usually develops following years of long-term exposure to asbestos.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are often similar to other illnesses, such as the bronchitis or pneumonia. Mesothelioma may be incorrectly diagnosed because of this. This means that patients receive improper treatment or are not receiving the care they need. A biopsy is the most effective method to identify mesothelioma. In this procedure, doctors remove tissue from the suspected tumor or mass and examine it under microscopes to determine whether it is cancerous.
The majority of mesothelioma cases can be traced to workplace asbestos exposure. People at the highest risk are miners, those who work in the manufacturing of asbestos-containing items like insulation, railroad and automotive workers, ship builders and gas mask manufacturers. However it has been observed that family members of those who worked with asbestos may also be at risk for an increased risk of developing mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos law from the clothing they wore at home.
It is not fully understood what causes mesothelioma or why certain people are more at risk of developing the disease than others. Researchers believe that a variety of factors are at play for mesothelioma risk, such as the amount and for how long the person was exposed to asbestos, the person's genetics and if they received radiation treatment in the past.