Mesothelioma - Is Mesothelioma Always Caused by Asbestos?
Asbestos can stick to workers clothing, hair and skin. Workers return home and their family can be exposed to the dangerous mineral.
Exposure to asbestos increases the chance of developing mesothelioma in the long term. The risk of developing mesothelioma increases over time but the rate of increase appears to be settling for pleural mesothelioma in the 40-50 years from the time of exposure.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissue linings surrounding some internal organs, including the chest cavity (pleura), abdominal cavity and heart (pericardium). It is a fatal disease.
Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers are strong, tiny and naturally found in nature. From the 1930s until the 1980s, it was used in a range of products such as buildings, vehicles and construction materials because it was invulnerable to water, fire, and sound. Asbestos fibers can be breathed in and swallowed if disturbed. Inhaling fibers can cause irritation to the stomach and lungs, and abnormal cells may form. Mesothelioma is usually caused by the chrysotile asbestos. Other forms of asbestos like amphibole and tremolite, can also cause mesothelioma.
Asbest exposure is most common at work. Mesothelioma is a condition that can develop between 20 and 60 year. Symptoms can include shortness of breath and a cough that does not disappear, and fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). The U.S. military used asbestos in its aircrafts, ships and barracks. Veterans comprise 33% of the mesothelioma patients.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma can receive treatment to help manage symptoms and improve their quality of life. The symptoms can be controlled with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural can undergo a surgical procedure referred to as VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery). In this procedure, surgeons remove the lining from the lungs and chest cavity and then use sterile powders to inflame the area to stop the accumulation of fluid.
Mesothelioma is very rare and it can be difficult to diagnose. However, if you have been exposed to asbestos in a significant way and are experiencing any symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor. They will ask about your medical history, search for signs of mesothelioma, and run tests to determine the cause of the symptoms. Early treatment is key to a positive outcome. A biopsy is the only way to determine whether you are suffering from mesothelioma. A doctor can identify mesothelioma through a physical exam and a blood sample.
What causes mesothelioma?
The asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma is found in the tissue that lines certain organs of the body. The most common locations for mesothelioma growth are the lung (pleural mesothelioma) and stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma may also be found in the lining of the chest cavity (epicatelia) and in the testicles (mesothelium of the scrotum).
People who are exposed for a long time to asbestos are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes those who have worked directly with asbestos or its products. Those who live near mines and mills of asbestos are at risk of exposure to fibers and dust that are released in the air. Family employees are also at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma since they may inhale the particles from the clothing of their loved relatives.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects more women than men. This is due to the fact that men were more frequently exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Furthermore, mesothelioma usually takes between 15 to 40 years after exposure to develop. This makes it difficult for many patients to get diagnosed as their symptoms may not manifest until they are in their 50s or older.
Like all cancers, mesothelioma starts when normal cells begin to alter and increase in size uncontrollably. This happens when genes in cells are damaged due to exposure to harmful substances or another trigger such as genetic mutations or inflammation.
Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor and it can take decades for symptoms to appear. Signs of mesothelioma include shortness of breath (dyspnea) abdominal discomfort, swelling on the lungs and other indications of lung diseases. Mesothelioma may also affect the reproductive organs and skin.
Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma should visit one of the top cancer centers of excellence for a thorough assessment. The specialists at these centers can assist patients and family members in receiving proper care and finding treatment options. Those who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace should also seek financial compensation from the companies who use this harmful substance. This compensation can help pay for medical treatment and other expenses.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
A patient should see a doctor immediately when they suspect they have mesothelioma. Treatment can improve the quality of life and extend a patient’s life even though there is no cure. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, but it's important to be diagnosed as early as is possible.
The first step is for a patient to visit their primary care physician and describe the symptoms. The doctor will then conduct an examination of the body and collect the patient's medical records to determine the risk factors.
Many patients with mesothelioma will experience abdominal or chest pain. It is caused by inflammation that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled or swallowed, and they adhere to organ linings. Over time, these can develop into cancer.
Most of the time, mesothelioma develops in the lungs. This is called mesothelioma pleural. It can also develop on the abdomen's lining (peritoneum). This is called peritoneal mesothelioma. It is less frequent than pleural mesothelioma and makes up only 10% of cases.
Other types of mesothelioma may occur in the membrane around the heart or reproductive organs. These kinds of mesothelioma are less common and account for only 1% of mesothelioma cases. They are more difficult to identify compared to pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma typically has a long time of latency, which means it takes decades from the date of first exposure until the first symptoms begin to manifest. If they do, they may include chest pain and fatigue as well as weight loss.
A biopsy is usually required to confirm the presence and type of cancerous mesothelioma-related cells in patients. Other tests, such as MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays, may be used to rule other diseases out.
Doctors will create an action plan for mesothelioma based on its nature and stage. Some treatments are more effective than others for certain mesothelioma types. They can include chemotherapy, surgeries or radiation therapy. Patients may also participate in clinical trials to test new treatments.
How do I diagnose mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers inflame the tissues of certain organs. The irritated areas get thicker and grow into tumors in time, which can cause mesothelioma-related cancerous cells. Mesothelioma can be found in the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma) as well as the intestinal tracts (peritoneal mesothelioma) testicles, the heart or both (pericardial mesothelioma). It usually takes between 15 to 50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to manifest.
Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed by their primary care doctor or oncologist. Their doctor will conduct a physical exam and examine their medical history and work history. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma he may perform an X-ray of the abdomen or chest. These tests will reveal if there is an accumulation of fluid in the stomach or lungs and help determine the cause of the mesothelioma.
Once these tests are completed The doctor can then test for mesothelioma by looking at a sample of fluid or tissue under a microscope. They can also perform a biopsy by placing an instrument into the region in which fluid has accumulated, and removing a piece of tissue to be examined under microscope.
Mesothelioma is often mistakenly attributed to other conditions such as lung cancer or pneumonia. Many patients are misdiagnosed, or are not diagnosed. Mesothelioma sufferers need to consult an expert and talk to their doctors about their exposure to asbestos.
If mesothelioma has been suspected the doctor will request a CT scan or chest Xray to check for asbestos in the abdomen or lungs. other causes of mesothelioma -ray can also show a buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall. This is referred to as an pleural effusion. The doctor will numb your skin and then insert a needle into the area affected to test the fluid. They will drain the fluid and send it to a laboratory to search for cancerous cells.
If a doctor determines that Mesothelioma is the cause, they will recommend treatment options. For pleural mesothelioma, treatment may involve surgery to remove the pleura and surrounding tissue. For peritoneal mesothelioma, surgery can include removal of the abdominal lining as well as part of the diaphragm. In some cases, mesothelioma may be treated with chemotherapy or radiation.