Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that targets the organ's linings. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can also affect the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).
The asbestos-exposure of people has the risk of developing pleural and mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Even after asbestos exposure has been stopped, the risk continues to rise.
Symptoms
Asbestos, which is a heat and fire-resistant mineral fiber was utilized in a variety of industrial and commercial building materials until the late 1970s. When the material is disturbed small asbestos fibers could be inhaled or swallowed, leading to cancerous tumors within the mesothelium lining of our organs of the human body.
The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma of the pleura. This form of the disease is caused by asbestos fibers that stick to the lungs and the chest cavity (pleura) or the stomach lining (peritoneum). Inhaling the toxins damages healthy tissues for a long time. The damaged cells become cancerous, and multiply in uncontrolled ways. The cancerous cells can spread to other parts in the body. This is referred to as metastasis.
Cancer is triggered when the DNA of a cell undergoes mutations. Mesothelioma begins when healthy cells are exposed to incorrect information regarding their genetic makeup, which causes them to grow in uncontrolled ways.
The main risk factor for mesothelioma is the exposure to asbestos, which usually happens in the workplace. People who worked in industries where asbestos was used such as asbestos contractors, coal miners and shipbuilding employees -- have a high chance of developing the disease. Asbestos may stick to clothing and tools of workers after they leave the work site. This puts their families at risk.
asbestos mesothelioma lung cancer of mesothelioma can vary based on the type and location, however the majority of symptoms have certain common characteristics. These include a persistent, dry cough, shortness of breath, abdominal or chest pain, and accumulation of fluid.
Asbestos-related victims are usually diagnosed with a mix of tests to identify the condition, including blood tests, and an MRI or CT scan. A lung function test can be conducted to determine whether there are any issues. An X-ray could reveal thickening in the lungs or in the chest cavity.
Following the first exposure to asbestos, it could take anywhere between 30 and 50 years for mesothelioma to develop. Because of this long delay, the disease could be misdiagnosed for an infection or other less serious health problem. This can result in delays in treatment that could be fatal.
Diagnosis
The first step to getting a diagnosis is to ask your doctor to conduct a medical examination and do a physical exam. This will allow them to determine if you are experiencing any symptoms that may be connected to mesothelioma. They may also suggest tests in the lab to determine how asbestos mesothelioma is in your body.
Asbestos mesothelioma is most often found in the lung's lining, called the Pleura. It can also be found in the lining surrounding the heart (pericardium). It is less frequent to have mesothelioma in the stomach lining known as the peritoneum.
In most cases of mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is at the root of the problem. These tiny fibers were used in a variety of blue collar positions, such as construction, shipbuilding, automobile and military work. They can be floating in the air, and if breathed in or consumed, they can cause lung damage over the course of time. This can lead to lung cancer, as well as other illnesses such as mesothelioma.
A biopsy is the most effective method of diagnosing mesothelioma. This involves sending a small amount of tissue to a lab for testing. Mesothelioma is often similar to other cancers and be difficult to diagnose. This is why a mesothelioma specialist will be capable of providing the most precise diagnosis.
Another test that can be helpful for diagnosing mesothelioma is an Xray. These tests produce pictures of the insides of your body, which show how your lungs work. They can also spot other issues, like fluid buildup (pleural effusion) or a mass on the chest wall.
Your doctor could suggest the use of a CT scan or an MRI. These tests employ radio waves and a large magnet to produce precise images of soft tissue such as those found in the abdomen or in the lungs. A CT scan can also reveal the extent of mesothelioma found in the lungs and other parts of the body.
Your doctor may also suggest a PET scanner. The test provides you with a small amount of a radioactive substance and then takes photos of your body to find out how the cells are using oxygen that they require. The images will show cancerous cells that are brighter than normal tissue. This makes them easier to detect.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is the liner of the body's organs and tissues. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. The disease can also transferred to other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The symptoms of the disease may differ depending on the location and how far along the mesothelioma is.
Mesothelioma symptoms can take between 20 and 50 years after exposure to be evident and may not show until late in life. It can be difficult for doctors to identify the condition since many of the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. Doctors will request an X-ray or CT scan to determine the severity of the patient's mesothelioma. A biopsy is also required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
There are three types malignant mesothelioma. The most popular mesothelioma that is pleural, develops in the lung lining and the chest wall. The abdominal cavity's lining is affected by the second most frequent form, peritoneal msothelioma. The third, less well-known mesothelioma form is in the lining around the testicles. This is known as the tunica vaginalis.
The reason for mesothelioma's occurrence is unknown however, it is believed that asbestos fibers could be the main culprit. When asbestos is inhaled, the fibers can enter the smallest airways and cause irritation to the lung's lining. This irritation could lead to the growth of abnormal cells, which eventually develop into mesothelioma.
Certain individuals are at greater risk than others of developing mesothelioma. Workers in industries which were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are more susceptible to developing the disease. This includes the construction industry, shipbuilding, manufacturing industries asbestos removal, as well as veterans industries. Anyone who is exposed to environmental asbestos, such as asbestos found in rocks or soil are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, but brief or indirect exposures to asbestos are less likely than long-term exposures to asbestos to cause mesothelioma.
Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma must tell their doctor if they have ever been exposed to asbestos. A history of asbestos exposure increases the likelihood of a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors, such as the kind of cancer and the stage of the disease. The doctors are better able to treat mesothelioma when it is diagnosed early and before the cancer has spread.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, affects the linings that surround the organs in the abdomen or chest. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing this asbestos-related disease. Symptoms typically don't appear until years after exposure. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma develop in the pleural lining of the lungs, the peritoneal lining of the stomach cavity or the pericardial lining of the heart.
Several kinds of asbestos are believed to be carcinogenic, and people who work in certain industries are at risk of being exposed. Asbestos is made up of a collection of minerals that have microscopic fibers. It was extensively used in the construction industry, but also in shipbuilding, automobile repair, and other industrial processes. These tiny fibers were emitted into the air when they were mined and then processed. Inhaling them can cause irritation, scarring and damage.
Once in the body these fibers could form in the mesothelium and trigger an abnormal growth that leads to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of cell and the aggressiveness.
Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 50 years later. This is due to asbestos's ability to react with mesothelium, which is a protective layer. People who worked in high-risk industries such as construction, shipbuilding, and auto repair, are more likely to develop mesothelioma.
Health insurance holders are more likely to receive treatment that extends the life of mesothelioma and therefore have a better prognosis than those who do not have access to such treatment. Other factors that could improve the prognosis of mesothelioma patients are overall health, smoking habits and gender. The Free Mesothelioma Guide provides more information about these and other factors that affect patients.