Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the linings of organs. It is most common in the lungs, however it can also affect the membrane covering the abdomen (peritoneum).
Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Even after exposure to asbestos has been stopped the risk of developing mesothelioma continues to increase.
Signs and symptoms
Asbestos, which is a heat and fire resistant mineral fiber, was widely used in industrial and commercial building materials up until the late 1970s. When the material is agitated by the person who is using it, asbestos fibers can be swallowed and inhaled. This can cause cancerous tumors on the mesothelium layer of organs.
There are four types of mesothelioma, with pleural mesothelioma the most common. This form of the disease is caused by asbestos fibers that adhere to the lungs, chest cavity (pleura) or stomach lining (peritoneum). Inhaling the toxins damages healthy tissue for decades. The cells damaged by the toxins become cancerous, and multiply in uncontrolled ways. The cancerous cells can also spread to other parts of the body, which is known as metastasis.
Cancer is triggered when the DNA of a cell experiences mutations. Mesothelioma develops when healthy cells are exposed to incorrect information about their genetic makeup, which causes them to grow in uncontrolled ways.
The primary risk factor for mesothelioma's is exposure to asbestos, which usually occurs in the workplace. Workers in industries that used asbestos, like asbestos contractors and coal miners or shipbuilding workers are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos can also cling to a person's clothes and tools after leaving the job site, putting their family members at risk of exposure.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may differ based on the nature and location. However, they all share some common traits. These include a persistent cough and breathlessness, chest pain or abdominal pain, and fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen.
Asbestos patients can be diagnosed through a combination test like a blood test and MRI/CT scan. A lung function test may also be performed to check for any abnormalities. An X-ray can identify a lung that is thicker or a build-up of fluid in the chest cavity.
After the first exposure to asbestos, it can take anywhere between 30 and 50 year for mesothelioma develop. Because of this long delay, the disease could be misdiagnosed as an infection or another less serious health problem. This can lead to delays in treatment that could be fatal.
Diagnosis
The first step towards finding out if you have a diagnosis is for your doctor to conduct a medical examination and perform a physical exam. This will allow them to determine if any symptoms you're experiencing are mesothelioma. They may also recommend some tests to discover how the asbestos mesothelioma in your body.
Asbestos-mesothelioma is most often found in the ple which is the lung's lining. It can also occur in the lining around the heart (pericardium). It is not as common to have mesothelioma in the stomach lining, called the peritoneum.
Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma, in the majority of cases. These microscopic fibres were used in many blue-collar jobs, including construction work as well as shipbuilding, automotive and military work. They can float in the air, and then be inhaled, or consumed, causing damage to the lungs over time. This can lead to lung cancer and other conditions, including mesothelioma.
A biopsy is the most effective method of diagnosing mesothelioma. This involves taking a small amount of the affected tissue and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. But, mesothelioma cancer cells typically appear like other kinds of cancer and are difficult to recognize. This is why a mesothelioma specialist will be able to offer the most precise diagnosis.
Another test that is helpful for diagnosing mesothelioma is an exam using an X-ray. These tests create images of the insides of your body, which show how your lungs function. They can also reveal other problems such as fluid accumulation (pleural effusion), or a mass on the chest wall.
Other types of imaging tests your doctor may suggest include CT scan or MRI. These tests make use of radio waves and a massive magnet to create detailed images of soft tissues like those in the abdomen or lungs. A CT scan may also reveal how far mesothelioma been able to spread into the lungs and other parts of the body.
Your doctor may also recommend an PET scan. This test makes use of a tiny amount of radioactive substance in order to take photographs of your body and determine how cells utilize oxygen. Cancerous cells will glow more intensely in these photos than normal tissue, making them easier to identify.
Treatment
Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is the tissue lining that surrounds the organs and tissues. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. The disease may also spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system or bloodstream. The symptoms of the disease could vary based on where and how advanced mesothelioma's path is.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can take between 20 and 50 years after exposure to asbestos to begin to manifest and may not be apparent until late in the course of. Doctors asbestos exposure mesothelioma may have difficulty identifying the condition as many of the symptoms may be similar to other illnesses. Doctors will require an X-ray or CT scan to determine the severity of the mesothelioma patient's condition. A biopsy is also required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
There are three types of mesothelioma that are malignant. The most common mesothelioma that is pleural, develops in the lung lining and chest wall. The lining of the abdominal cavity is affected by the second most common form, peritoneal mesothelioma. The third and less popular mesothelioma type is found in the lining surrounding the testicles.
Although the mesothelioma's exact cause is not known but it is believed that asbestos fibers may be the primary cause. Asbestos fibers can penetrate the smallest airways and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs. This irritation can lead to the development of abnormal cells, which eventually develop into mesothelioma.
Some people have a higher risk than others of developing mesothelioma. People who worked in industries that were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are more susceptible to developing the disease. This includes the construction, shipbuilding, manufacturing, asbestos removal and veterans industries. The people who are exposed to environmental asbestos like asbestos found in soil or rocks, are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos however, the exposure of a short duration or in indirect form is less likely to result in mesothelioma than prolonged, excessive levels of exposure.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma must inform their doctor about any previous exposure to asbestos. An asbestos-related history can increase the chances of receiving a diagnosis that is accurate.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors, such as the type of cancer and stage of the disease. The doctors are better able to treat mesothelioma when it is detected early prior to the cancer has spread.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, affects the linings which cover the organs of the chest or abdomen. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing this asbestos-related illness. Symptoms usually don't show up until years after exposure to asbestos. 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 your heart.
Asbestos is known to cause cancer in a few kinds. People who work in certain fields may be exposed. Asbestos is a class of minerals that are made up of tiny, microscopic fibers. It was widely employed in the construction industry, as also in shipbuilding and automobile repair. When it was extracted and processed, the tiny fibers became airborne and could be breathed in. Inhaling them, they cause irritation, scarring and cell damage.
These fibers may settle in the body and cause abnormal growths that result in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is classified according to the kind of cell and its aggressiveness.
Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 50 years after exposure. This is because asbestos has to react with the mesothelium which is a protective covering. People who have worked in high-risk fields such as construction, shipbuilding and auto repair, are more likely to develop mesothelioma.
Health insurance allows patients to receive more life-extending treatments for mesothelioma. They have a better outlook than those without insurance. Other factors that can help improve a mesothelioma prognosis include overall health, smoking status and gender, as well as whether or whether a patient has children. The Free Mesothelioma Guide contains more information about these factors and others that are specific to patients.