Mesothelioma - An Asbestos Illness

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the protective linings of certain organs. It is most commonly found in the lungs but it can also be found in the abdomen or chest wall.

People who have been exposed to asbestos for a long period and at high levels are at risk of developing this condition. It can take between 10 to 50 years before mesothelioma begins to manifest symptoms.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of a few of the body's organs, typically caused by exposure to asbestos. It is typically found in the lungs' linings, but can also occur in the linings of the heart and stomach. It most commonly occurs in those aged between 60 and 80, and is more prevalent in men than women.

The exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and the symptoms of cancer typically appear between 10 and 50 years after exposure to the mineral. This is because stray asbestos fibers that are inhaled or ingested can lay dormant in organ linings prior to when they cause health problems.

Early mesothelioma symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses such as pneumonia, influenza or lung issues. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the condition, and could cause delays in treatment.

Patients may suffer more severe and painful symptoms in the latter stages of mesothelioma. The type of symptoms that manifest depend on the location of the cancer and pleural mesothelioma typically causing pain in the chest and breathing difficulties, while mesothelioma of the peritoneal region can cause abdominal pain or swelling.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma in late-stage stages may also experience fatigue, nausea and weight loss. Cancer cells can spread from lymph nodes into the bloodstream in a few cases. This can cause a worsening of existing symptoms and trigger new ones to appear.

Doctors can assist in diagnosing mesothelioma by examining the patient and requesting their history of exposure to asbestos. The doctor will refer the patient to additional tests, such as imaging technologies which can see inside the body, and determine how far the cancer has spread. These technologies can also be used to evaluate a treatment plan, monitor a patient's reaction to treatments, and determine the stage of cancer.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma, a type of cancer is a disease that affects the organs' linings. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. It can take anywhere from 15 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma can develop. It's most commonly found in the pleura (lungs) however, it can also happen in the peritoneum or pericardium. Mesothelioma is not curable, however treatment can ease symptoms.

Workers in industries that use asbestos are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. People who have been exposed to asbestos in other ways, for example, living in a house or school that has been exposed asbestos, are also at risk. Mesothelioma is the most common cancer among people over 75, and males are more likely to develop it than women.

Mesothelioma has been linked to various jobs, but most cases involve people who worked directly with asbestos or who worked in areas where there was substantial asbestos exposure like mines, construction sites and asbestos insulation plants. This includes electricians and shipyard workers as also painters, painters, and other tradespeople.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that are bundles of tiny fibers. All over the world it is found in rocks and soil. When asbestos is disturbed, it releases its fibers into the air and can be inhaled. When these fibers are inhaled they can harm the lungs and lead to respiratory diseases like asbestosis. Over time, they can cause malignant mesothelioma as well which is 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 do an X-ray of the chest and a CT scan.

If there is a buildup of fluid, the doctor may put a needle in the affected area and then take a sample to test for mesothelioma cell. They may also conduct an excision of the affected tissue to confirm mesothelioma.

If a doctor suspects a patient has mesothelioma they will most likely refer them to an expert. The specialist will run further tests and determine the best treatment plan.

Treatment

Mesothelioma can be a fatal disease. People who have been exposed to asbestos should discuss their experiences with a doctor and receive regular screenings. Mesothelioma symptoms typically show up after a long time following exposure to asbestos. The latency period of mesothelioma can make it difficult for patients to receive a diagnosis. The outlook for mesothelioma patients is generally very good if the disease is detected early and promptly treated.

Asbestos is a class of minerals with thin microscopic fibers. These fibers are invulnerable to heat, fire and chemicals and don't conduct electricity. Asbestos was once used widely in the construction and other industries because of its properties. However the health dangers associated with asbestos were not fully understood until recently.

People who have been exposed to asbestos should inform their doctors if they experience persistent symptoms like a dry cough, breathing difficulties or changes in the shape of the fingers and toes (finger clubbing). Mesothelioma is also a cause of other diseases, such as pulmonary thermofibrosis. It is an inflammatory lung disease that causes scarring of the lung. This can lead to severe respiratory problems and a reduction in a patient's quality life.

There are three types: malignant pleural, peritoneal and sarcomatoid. The type of mesothelioma the patient is suffering from will determine the treatment options available and their outlook.

Pleural mesothelioma can affect the lining (pleura) of the lungs. Asbestos exposure can cause this type of cancer, which can take up 50 years to develop and cause evident symptoms. It can cause chest pain and fluid accumulation in the pleura.

A CT scan, MRI or biopsy are often used to diagnose pleural melanoma. These tests can detect lumps and bumps in the pleura, which help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma a patient has.

Mesothelioma forms differ according to cell type and growth rate. The most popular mesothelioma type, epithelioid, accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which is less common, and grows faster than epithelioid mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma can be found in a few cases combines both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. The mesothelioma type can also alter the rate of recurrence of the disease.

The following is a list of preventions.

People who work with asbestos or reside in an area where materials that contain asbestos are disposed of have the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma. But mesothelioma can be caused by living near an asbestos claim mine or factory or exposure to airborne asbestos fibers from natural asbestos deposits or simply having a family member that worked with asbestos.

Asbestos is one of the naturally occurring minerals that have tiny microscopic fibers. The mineral was used in the production of many construction products due to its durability and fire resistance. Workers who work with asbestos compensation are exposed to tiny particles of the mineral when the materials they work with are broken or when removing these products from their workplace. When asbestos legal fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they could cause irritation to the organ's lining, in which they enter. Mesothelioma usually develops following years of long-term exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma symptoms are often similar to those of more common illnesses such as lung cancer, pneumonia, or bronchitis. Because of this, mesothelioma can be not properly diagnosed. Patients are not given the correct treatment or receive incorrect treatment due to. The most effective way to diagnose mesothelioma is through a biopsy. During this procedure, doctors remove the tissue from the suspected tumor or mass, and then study it under microscopes to determine if it is cancerous.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are due to workplace asbestos exposure. The most at risk are miners, people who work in the manufacturing of asbestos-containing products such as insulation railroad and automotive workers, ship builders, and gas mask makers. However it has been observed that relatives of those who worked with asbestos are also at risk of an increased risk of mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos from the clothes they were wearing at home.

Researchers aren't sure what causes mesothelioma, or why certain people have an increased risk of developing it than other. Researchers believe that a mix of factors are at play, including how much and how long a person was exposed to asbestos, the person's genes and if they have received radiation treatment in the past.