Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a tumor that can be cancerous caused by asbestos exposure, is a serious illness. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal region.
The symptoms can manifest within 10 to 50 years of the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain, and chest pain.
Risk Factors
Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers are introduced into the body. The most common mesothelioma type is mesothelioma pleural, which develops in the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. Mesothelioma can also develop in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or in the pericardium. It can take between 20 and 50 years for the cancer to grow and show symptoms, which can often be mistaken for flu-like illness. Mesothelioma typically affects older people and is more prevalent in men than women.
Exposure to asbestos is the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of tiny fibres that were used in construction materials, like ceilings and walls due to its resistance to heat and fire. It was also used in the manufacturing of products like pipes, insulation, shingles and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was a common ingredient such as shipbuilding, mining, or construction are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have had secondary exposure to asbestos such as relatives who brought home asbestos-covered clothing or skin are at risk.
A small portion (less than five percent) of mesothelioma is linked to an alteration in the BAP1 gene. This genetic change increases the risk of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed asbestos.
The patient's age is also a risk factor. Mesothelioma is most common among those who are who are older than 45 and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with the disease are 65 years old or older. This is due to the long time between exposure to asbestos. However, it could also be that older people are more likely to develop the disease because of the long exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is more common in white males than females or those belonging to any other race. This is due to the fact that historically more white men have been employed in jobs that put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma is usually seen in people who were exposed to asbestos prior to when better regulations were put in during the 1980s.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related tumor that forms in the linings that protect several body organs. The cancerous tumors which form in the tissue could damage them and cause severe pain. The malignancy can spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to other illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. It can take up to 50 years after asbestos exposure before they show symptoms. The latency period can make it difficult to detect the disease early and symptoms can be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.
In most cases, the malignant tumors begin in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). But mesothelioma can also form in the tissues of the heart and abdomen. In rare instances the disease may affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).
Asbestos is made up of minerals in a grouping that forms long, thin fibres. These fibers are strong enough that they are unable to be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were commonly used in a variety of construction and household products before scientists realized how harmful they were to people's lives.
The majority of patients with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the workplace or at home, and the majority of those exposed were employed in the US Navy, air force, shipbuilding industry or construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Veterans account for about 30 percent of all cases.
Medical tests and imaging scans can aid in diagnosing mesothelioma. These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor can also send a tissue sample to a lab for testing.
The results will aid in determining the mesothelioma's stage and type which affects the prognosis and treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15% of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancers are less aggressive and typically has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to identify and has a poorer prognosis.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma, especially in the early stages. The first step is to see their primary care physician if they experience any signs, like chest pains or coughing. The doctor will utilize a stethoscope to listen to the patient's breathing and record their medical history and work history. This includes any asbestos exposure background, which is essential for diagnosing mesothelioma.
Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can confirm a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other diseases. For instance, the cancer often spreads to the lungs of patients from another part of their body, like their chest wall or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are common in asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma may also be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed with blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests will aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is commonly in the lungs but could also be found in the stomach or the testicles. The tests will help doctors determine how far the cancer has spread within the body.
A CT scan or MRI could reveal the mesothelioma signs, 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 reveal whether a person's lungs are more on one side than the other.
In many instances, a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves removing small amounts of tissue and testing them in the lab for mesothelioma.
Some patients may require additional tests such as FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which permits doctors to check the lymph nodes that are located in the middle of the chest and test them, or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS), using sound waves to examine the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare disease, and doctors are still learning how to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should carefully weigh their options to mesothelioma asbestos cancer determine the best treatment for them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma may affect the linings of the lungs or abdomen (peritoneal cancer), or heart (pericardial cancer). The symptoms generally don't manifest until decades after exposure to asbestos. It is essential that those who have been exposed to asbestos get checked for unusual symptoms.
A doctor will collect a medical history to check for mesothelioma-related risk factors, such as how long and how intensely the patient was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an examination to find signs of mesothelioma, like the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the type of cells that form in the mesothelium and the site where these cells are. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common type of percent to 80% mesothelioma. The other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma which account for around 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 and the stage of the disease.
In some cases, the mesothelioma may be treated with radiation or chemotherapy. When treating mesothelioma, doctors utilize powerful chemotherapy drugs or equipment to kill tumors. This lowers the risk of mesothelioma recurring.
Other types of mesothelioma can be treated through surgery that eliminates a part of the lining of the affected organ. This can also relieve symptoms such as breathing problems.
A person suffering from asbestosis pleural may undergo a procedure referred to as VATS. This involves placing a camera in the lung and then removing a portion of the lung and pleura. This can improve the breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, but does not cure the disease.
Other options for treatment include pain management or support services. It is essential that patients with mesothelioma get as much information on the disease as possible and the best way to manage it. The more they are aware of the more equipped they are to plan for an enjoyable and healthy future.