Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks the linings of organs. It most commonly occurs in the lungs (pleura) but it can also affect the abdominal membrane (peritoneum). Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma. The risk increases even after exposure has been stopped. Signs and symptoms Asbestos is a fire- and fire-resistant mineral fiber that was utilized in a myriad of commercial and industrial construction materials up to the late 1970s. If the material is shattered by a person asbestos fibers could be swallowed and inhaled. This could lead to cancerous tumors that grow on the mesothelium layer of organs. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. This type of cancer develops when asbestos fibers stick to the lungs, chest cavity (pleura) or stomach lining (peritoneum). Inhaling them the toxins cause damage to healthy tissue for decades. The damaged cells then become cancerous and multiply out of control. These cancerous cells can also expand to other parts of the body. This is referred to as metastasis. Cancer develops when the DNA of a cell experiences changes. Mesothelioma begins when healthy cells receive inaccurate information regarding their genetic makeup, causing them to expand uncontrollably. The exposure to asbestos is the main risk factor of mesothelioma, and this usually occurs in the workplace. People who worked in industries where asbestos was used such as coal miners, asbestos contractors and shipbuilding employees -- have a high chance of developing the disease. Asbestos can also stick to a person's clothes and tools when they leave the job site and put their family members at risk of being exposed. The symptoms of mesothelioma differ based on the type and location. However, they all share some common characteristics. These include a persistent cough and breathlessness and chest pain, or abdominal pain, and fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related victims are usually diagnosed using a combination of tests to identify the disease, such as blood tests, and an MRI or CT scan. A lung function test may also be performed to check for any abnormalities. An X-ray may reveal a thickening of the lungs or fluid in the chest cavity. It takes between 30 and 50 years for mesothelioma to be diagnosed following the first exposure to asbestos. Because of this long delay, the disease could be misdiagnosed for an infection or another less serious health condition. This can lead to delays in treatment, which can be fatal. Diagnosis The first step in finding out if you have a diagnosis is for your doctor to obtain a medical history and do a physical exam. This will help them determine if you're experiencing any symptoms that could be related to mesothelioma. They can also recommend tests to determine if asbestos mesothelioma affects your body. Asbestos mesothelioma usually develops in the lung's lining which is known as the Pleura. It can also be found in the lining around the heart (pericardium). It is less frequent to find mesothelioma within the stomach lining, called the peritoneum. Asbestos exposure is a major reason for mesothelioma in the majority of cases. These microscopic fibres were once employed in a variety of blue-collar jobs such as construction, shipbuilding, automotive and military work. They can be floating in the air, and when inhaled or eaten, they could cause lung damage over the course of time. This can result in lung cancer and other conditions, including mesothelioma. A biopsy is the most accurate method to determine mesothelioma. This involves sending a small portion of tissue to a laboratory to be examined. However, mesothelioma cells often look like other types of cancer, and can be difficult to distinguish. A mesothelioma expert can provide the most precise diagnosis. asbestos exposure mesothelioma that could be useful in diagnosing mesothelioma is an Xray. These tests produce images of the inside of your body to demonstrate how your lungs are working. They can also identify other issues, such as fluid accumulation (pleural effusion) or a lump in the chest wall. Your doctor might suggest the use of a CT scan or an MRI. These tests employ radio waves and a massive magnet to produce precise images of soft tissue such as those found in the abdomen or in the lungs. A CT scan can also show how far mesothelioma spread in the lungs and other body parts. Your doctor may also recommend an PET scan. The test makes use of a small amount of radioactive substance in order to take images of your body to determine how cells utilize oxygen. Cancerous cells will glow brighter on these pictures than normal tissue, making them easier to identify. Treatment Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects mesothelium, which is the liner of the body's organs and tissues. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. The disease can also spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The disease can trigger symptoms that are different based on the location and stage of the mesothelioma. It could take up to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma, or mesothelioma, asbestos exposure. They could also not appear until later in life. Doctors may be unable to diagnose the condition because many of the symptoms could be similar to other diseases. The severity of mesothelioma can be determined by an X-ray, CT scan or other imaging tests. A biopsy is also required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. There are three kinds of malignant mesothelioma. The most popular mesothelioma that is pleural, develops in the lining of the lungs and the chest wall. The second most frequent mesothelioma that is peritoneal, occurs in the abdomen's lining. The third and less common form of mesothelioma is located in the lining around the testicles. It is not known exactly what causes mesothelioma, but it is believed that asbestos fibers are the primary cause. Asbestos fibers can get into the smallest of airways and cause irritation to the lining of the lung. This irritation can result in the formation of abnormal cells, which eventually develop into mesothelioma. Certain individuals are at greater risk than others of developing mesothelioma. Workers in industries that were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are more susceptible to developing the mesothelioma. This includes shipbuilding, construction manufacturing, asbestos removal, and veterans' industries. People who are exposed to asbestos in the environment like asbestos that is found in rocks or soil are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. There is no known safe amount of asbestos exposure but the exposure of a short duration or in indirect form is less likely to result in mesothelioma than prolonged high levels of exposure. Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma has to inform their doctor if they have ever been exposed to asbestos. A history of asbestos exposure can increase the chances of obtaining a proper diagnosis. Prognosis The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors that include the type of mesothelioma a patient has as well as the stage at which it's diagnosed. The doctors are better able to treat mesothelioma when it is discovered early and before the cancer has spread. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the organ linings in the abdomen and chest. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos in the past are at risk of developing this asbestos-related disease. The symptoms usually don't manifest until decades after asbestos exposure. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma to develop in the lung's pleural lining as well as the peritoneal lining stomach cavity, or in 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 made up of a variety of minerals that have microscopic fibers. It was widely employed in the construction industry as also in automotive repair and shipbuilding. When it was mined and processed, the tiny fibers were released into the air and could be breathed in. Inhaling them, they cause irritation, scarring, and cellular damage. These fibers may settle in the body and result in abnormal growths that can result in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be classified as epithelioid biphasic or sarcomatoid, based on the type of cell and the degree of aggressiveness. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 50 years to develop following exposure to asbestos. This is due to asbestos's ability to react with the mesothelium, a protective covering. People who have worked in high-risk fields like construction, shipbuilding and auto repair, are more likely to develop mesothelioma. Health insurance allows people to receive more life-extending treatments for mesothelioma. They have a better chance of survival than those without insurance. Other factors that could help improve the chances of a mesothelioma patient's survival are overall health, smoking habits and gender. The Free Mesothelioma Guide contains more details about these factors as well as others that are specific to patients.
asbestos exposure mesothelioma
