Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects organ linings, is a rare disease. The most frequent cases are those of pleural mesothelioma but it can also affect the heart's lining (pericardial mesothelioma pericardial) or the lungs. Mesothelioma symptoms can take anywhere from 10 - 50 years to appear and can appear similar to many other diseases. They include chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breathe. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma, a form of asbestos cancer is a disease of the lining that surrounds certain organs. This includes the lung (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen and heart. Certain occupations are more likely to expose people to asbestos. Miners as well as electricians, mill workers and miners are at a higher risk. People who worked in shipyards or in the military may be at a higher risk. Mesothelioma typically appears decades after asbestos exposure. The signs of mesothelioma generally begin in the chest wall or lungs. It can also affect the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or testicles (mesothelioma of the peritoneum). Asbestos fibers that are stray can be inhaled or swallowed. If they stick to the lining of organs they can cause irritation and then develop into tumors. Mesothelioma is typically malignant, meaning that the cancer can grow or spread to other organs in the body. Mesothelioma is often first diagnosed by chest pain and breathlessness. However, the disease can develop into more severe symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, abdominal swelling, and difficulty swallowing. The symptoms are often difficult to identify, since they can look like other illnesses. Mesothelioma is frequently misdiagnosed as well as doctors and patients can miss it for many years. There are three types of epithelioid (biphasic) and sarcomatoid (biphasic) and mixed. Epithelioid is the most popular type which accounts for 60% to 80% all mesothelioma. abdominal mesothelioma cancer is rarer but is more insidious than epithelioid. Mixed mesothelioma, which combines epithelioid as well as sarcomatoid cell is the least frequent and hardest to treat. Asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma. More than 30 million people are believed to have been exposed to asbestos before its ban in the 1970s. The disease is not common and the majority of mesothelioma patients have a history asbestos exposure at work. The disease is usually diagnosed in people over 65 years old. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also more common for people of white heritage than other races. However, the condition is affecting people of any age or racial background. Signs and symptoms Mesothelioma symptoms can vary based on the type of mesothelioma you have and where the tumor is located in your body. It is rare for mesothelioma tumors to begin in the lung (pleura) but it could also be found in the chest cavity's lining as well as abdominal organs and other body parts. If you have been exposed to asbestos and you are experiencing symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. They may suggest the procedure of a biopsy, which is an extract of tissue for further testing. The tissue will be looked at by doctors who specialize in mesothelioma, who will check for the presence of specific cancerous cells. Asbestos is the primary cause of Mesothelioma. People who work with asbestos-containing products in blue-collar jobs like shipbuilding and construction are the most likely to contract the disease. People working in schools, the military, hospitals, and even in the hospital are at risk for mesothelioma due to their exposure to asbestos-contaminated materials. At first, the illness is usually asymptomatic. If it does produce any signs, they may resemble those of other illnesses or injuries. Pleural mesothelioma, for example can cause chest pain and coughing that are similar to those that are caused by pneumonia or COPD. Pleural effusion is another symptom of pleural mesothelioma. The fluid can make breathing difficult. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the cancer will expand and spread. This will cause more symptoms, including weight loss, fatigue and difficulties swallowing. This condition may also trigger an accumulation of blood around the heart, which is known as pericardial Mesothelioma. This can cause serious heart issues. 70 percent to 40% are epithelioid. It is easier than the more invasive, sarcomatoid form of mesothelioma which is present in 10-20% of diagnoses. Mesothelioma can also be found in a biphasic form that is a mix between the two types. This has a worse prognosis than either type on its own. Seek medical help immediately if you are suffering from mesothelioma-related symptoms. Diagnosis Many mesothelioma patients are not diagnosed until they develop symptoms like chest pain, coughing and difficulty breathing. They should see their GP and disclose any asbestos-related exposure history. Mesothelioma usually doesn't manifest until years or even decades after exposure to asbestos. This delay makes it difficult to recognize and a lot of doctors mistake mesothelioma for a common illness like lung cancer or pneumonia. When a doctor discovers that a patient is suffering from symptoms, they will do an array of tests to determine what is causing the symptoms. These tests include blood tests and imaging. Blood tests can determine the levels of certain chemicals within the body to detect mesothelioma symptoms. Imaging tests include X-rays, CT scans, and MRI. CT scans can be used as a diagnostic tool to determine whether there is a liquid buildup within the abdomen or in the lungs. They also aid doctors to spot the location of a mesothelioma tumor in the stomach cavity or heart. A biopsy is usually necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. A biopsy involves taking a small amount of tissue from the affected area and studying the area under a microscope for mesothelioma cell. A biopsy can be performed surgically or using needle. The type of cell found in mesothelioma can assist doctors determine the most effective treatment. The most frequent kinds are epithelioid mesothelioma and the sarcomatoid. The majority of mesothelioma diagnoses are epithelioid while sarcomatoid has a poorer prognosis, and less responsive to treatment. A patient with mesothelioma could also have a test called positron emission tomography (PET). It is performed by giving the patient a shot of a radioactive compound that connects to cancerous cells. The doctor takes pictures of the body to determine areas that appear brighter, which helps identify mesothelioma. The doctor may also order additional tests to determine the cause of the mesothelioma. Treatment Asbestos is a group of minerals that have microscopic, thin fibers. Asbestos fibers may get trapped in the mesothelium after asbestos is broken, inhaled or swallowed. Over time, this leads to inflammation, scarring, and cell damage that can eventually lead to mesothelioma. The symptoms usually do not show until 20 to 50 years after the initial asbestos exposure. Most people who develop mesothelioma worked in jobs in which they have been exposed to asbestos, such as construction work, shipbuilding, asbestos mining and automotive industries. People who served in the military in the United States are also at risk for mesothelioma since asbestos was employed in numerous branches of the armed forces, specifically in ships and automobiles. Mesothelioma is often difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to other illnesses. It is more common among males. This is probably because men are more likely to work in high-risk occupations in which asbestos is employed and also because it is diagnosed later in life. The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is examining an individual's medical history. Doctors should inquire with the patient about their asbestos exposure and any symptoms they have been experiencing. Blood tests, X-rays, and other tests can help doctors find out the type of mesothelioma the patient has and where it is located in the body and what stage it is at. A biopsy is the most reliable way to confirm mesothelioma. A biopsy is when a sample of fluid or tissue is taken from the chest or abdomen to be examined under the microscope. There are many different kinds of biopsies, from an ultrafine needle to a surgical biopsy. The most accurate method to identify mesothelioma is combine the biopsy with a chest CT scan and an MRI. There are four mesothelioma stages and the treatment options vary according to the stage and type. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of mesothelioma that develops in the chest cavity's lining (pleura) and creating respiratory issues. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a cancer that is found in the stomach's lining and can trigger digestive symptoms. Testicular mesothelioma is not as common, but it can cause unusual symptoms of genital origin and discomfort.
abdominal mesothelioma cancer
