Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a tumor that can be cancerous that affects organ and linings, is a very rare type of cancer. It usually occurs in the lung (pleura) however, it can also affect the membrane that covers the abdomen (peritoneum).
The asbestos-exposure of people has a long-term chance of developing pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. The risk increases even after exposure has ended.
Signs and symptoms
Asbestos is a heat- and fire-resistant mineral fiber that was utilized in a myriad of industrial and commercial construction materials until the late 1970s. When the material is disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers may be swallowed or inhaled leading to cancerous tumors in the mesothelium lining of our organs of the human body.
There are four types of mesothelioma, with the pleural mesothelioma being the most prevalent. This form of the disease is caused when asbestos fibers cling to the lungs and the chest cavity (pleura) or stomach lining (peritoneum). Inhaling the toxins can damage healthy tissue for years. The damaged cells eventually become cancerous and expand beyond control. The cancerous cells may also be spread to other areas of the body. This is called metastasis.
Cancers develop when a cell's DNA experiences changes. Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when healthy cells receive incorrect information regarding their genetic makeup, which causes them to expand uncontrollably.
The main risk factor for mesothelioma's is exposure to asbestos, which typically occurs in the workplace. Workers who have worked in areas where asbestos was used -- including asbestos contractors, coal miners and shipbuilding workers -- are at chance of developing the disease. Asbestos can cling to clothes and equipment used by workers after they leave the work site. This puts their family at risk.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on the type and location. However they all share common traits. They include a constant cough and breathlessness and chest pain, or abdominal pain and fluid buildup in the chest or abdomen.
Asbestos patients can be diagnosed by a combination test such as a blood test and an MRI/CT scan. A lung function test could be conducted to look for any irregularities. A X-ray can reveal swelling of the lungs or fluid in the chest cavity.
It takes between 30 and 50 years for mesothelioma to develop after a person's first exposure to asbestos. Because of this long time, the disease may be misdiagnosed as an infection or a less serious health issue. This can lead to delays in treatment that could be fatal.
Diagnosis
The first step in getting a diagnosis is for your doctor to obtain a medical history and perform a physical exam. This will help them see if any symptoms you're experiencing are mesothelioma. They can also recommend tests in the lab to determine how asbestos mesothelioma affects your body.
Asbestos-mesothelioma is most often found in the ple which is the lung's lining. It can also occur in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. The stomach's peritoneum lining lining is less likely be affected by mesothelioma.
In the majority of cases of mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is at the root of the problem. These tiny fibers were used in a variety of blue collar jobs like construction, shipbuilding, automobile and military work. They can float in the air, and if breathed in or ingested they can cause lung damage over the course of time. This can cause lung cancer, as well as other illnesses like mesothelioma.
A biopsy is the most effective method of diagnosing mesothelioma. This involves sending a small portion of tissue to a lab for analysis. But, mesothelioma cancer cells typically appear like other kinds of cancer and are difficult to distinguish. This is why a mesothelioma specialist is able to offer the most accurate diagnosis.
Another test that is helpful for diagnosing mesothelioma is an exam using an X-ray. These tests create images of the insides of the body, which show how your lungs function. They can also identify other issues like the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion) or a lump on the chest wall.
Your doctor may suggest the use of a CT scan, or an MRI. These tests use a large magnet and radio waves to make detailed images of soft tissues such as those in the abdomen or lungs. A CT scan can also reveal the extent of the mesothelioma found in the lungs and other body parts.
Your doctor may also suggest a PET scanner. This test gives you a small amount of a radioactive substance and takes pictures of your body to determine how the cells are using the oxygen they need. Cancerous cells will glow more brightly on these images than normal tissues, making them easier to identify.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or liner of the body's organs and tissues. The condition is often caused by asbestos exposure. The disease may also spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system or bloodstream. The symptoms of the disease may vary depending on where and how advanced mesothelioma has spread.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can take 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure to develop and may not appear until late in the course of. It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose the condition since many of the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Doctors will order an X-ray or CT scan to determine the extent of the mesothelioma in the patient. A biopsy is also necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
There are three types of malignant mesothelioma. The most well-known type, pleural is found in the lung linings or chest wall. The second most prevalent mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, is found in the lining of the abdomen. The third, less well-known mesothelioma form is in the lining of the testicles. This is known as the tunica vaginalis.
The exact cause of mesothelioma is not known, it is believed that asbestos fibers could be the primary cause. Asbestos fibers can enter even the smallest of airways and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs. This irritation can lead to the formation of abnormal cells, which eventually develop into mesothelioma.
Some people are more susceptible of developing mesothelioma than others. People who worked in areas where there was significant exposure to asbestos are more likely to contract the disease than those who didn't work with the substance. This includes the construction, shipbuilding manufacturing, asbestos removal and veterans industries. People who are exposed to asbestos in the environment like asbestos that is found in soil or rocks are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, however short or indirect exposures to asbestos are less likely than exposures over a longer period to asbestos to cause mesothelioma.
Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma must inform their doctor if they have ever been exposed to asbestos. A history of asbestos exposure increases the chances of a correct diagnosis and treatment.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma can be affected by a variety of factors, including the type of cancer and the stage of the disease. Doctors can treat mesothelioma more easily when it is found at the beginning of its development and before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
asbestos attorney mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the linings of organs in the abdomen and chest. People exposed to asbestos in the past are at risk of developing this asbestos-related illness. The symptoms typically don't appear until decades after asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma in the peritoneal linings in the stomach as well as the pleural linings of lung, or the pericardial linings of the heart.
Asbestos has been proven to cause cancer in a few kinds. Workers in certain fields may be exposed. Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibers. It was extensively used in the construction industry, as for shipbuilding and automobile repair. These tiny fibers were emitted into the air when mined and then processed. Inhaling them can cause irritation, scarring and cellular damage.
Once in the body, these fibers could be able to settle in the mesothelium, and trigger an abnormal growth, which leads to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be classified as epithelioid, biphasic or sarcomatoid, depending on the type of cell and the degree of aggressiveness.
Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 50 years to develop following exposure to asbestos. This is due to asbestos's ability to react to the mesothelium, a protective covering. People who have worked in high-risk fields such as construction, shipbuilding and auto repair are more likely develop mesothelioma.
Health insurance coverage means that those who have it are more likely to receive treatment that extends the life of mesothelioma and therefore have a better chance of survival than those who do not have access to such treatment. Other factors that can improve the prognosis of mesothelioma patients are overall health, smoking habits and gender. The Free Mesothelioma Guide contains more information about these factors and other factors that are specific to patients.