Mesothelioma - Is Mesothelioma Always Caused by Asbestos?
Asbestos can cling to workers' clothes, hair and skin. Workers then take it home where their family can be exposed to this harmful mineral.
Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing mesothelioma in long term. The risk increases over time however, the rate of growth appears to be settling for pleural mesothelioma after 40-50 years after exposure.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer, affects the tissue surrounding some internal organs. This includes the linings of the chest cavity (pleura) and abdominal cavity (pericardium) and the heart (pericardium). It is a fatal disease.
The primary reason for mesothelioma is the exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is one of the extremely strong, microscopic fibers which occur naturally. Between the 1930s to 1980s, it was utilized in a variety of items such as buildings, vehicles, and construction materials, due to its resistance to water, fire, and sound. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and swallowed if disturbed. Inhaling the fibers can irritate the lungs and stomach and cause abnormal cells to develop. Most commonly, chrysotile is the main cause of mesothelioma. Other forms of asbestos such as amphibole or tremolite can also cause mesothelioma.
Asbest exposure is most prevalent at workplaces. Mesothelioma is a condition that can develop between 20 and 60 years. The symptoms include breathlessness, a persistent cough and fluid in the lungs. The U.S. military used asbestos in its aircraft, ships and barracks. Veterans make up 33% today of all mesothelioma sufferers.
Patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may receive treatment to help manage symptoms and improve their quality of life. The symptoms can be controlled by surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) is a procedure that patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma can undergo. In this procedure surgeons cut off the chest cavity's lining and lung and then apply sterile talcum powder to irritate the lining, which prevents the formation of fluid.
Mesothelioma can be very difficult to diagnose and is extremely rare. If you've been exposed to asbestos and experience symptoms, it is important to consult your physician. They will ask you about your medical history, look for signs of mesothelioma and test for the root of the symptoms. The earlier treatment is the key to a positive outcome. A biopsy is the only reliable test for mesothelioma. A doctor can identify mesothelioma with a physical examination and a blood sample.
What is mesothelioma as a condition?
The asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma develops in the tissues that line certain organs of the body. The most frequent sites for mesothelioma are the lungs the stomach, and the heart. Mesothelioma can also develop in the chest cavity's lining (epicatelia) and in the testicles (mesothelium of the scrotum).
Long-term exposure to asbestos increases the mesothelioma risk. This includes people who have had direct contact with asbestos and its products. Those who live near mines and mills of asbestos are also at risk for exposure to fibers and dust that are released in the air. Families of asbestos workers are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma because they may inhale the dust particles that are released from their clothing.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, is more prevalent in men. This is likely because asbestos was used by men more often while working. In addition, mesothelioma can take between 15-40 years after exposure to develop. This makes it difficult for many patients to diagnose as their symptoms may not appear until they reach the age of 50s or more.
Like all cancers, mesothelioma starts when normal cells begin to change and expand uncontrollably. This happens when genes in the cell are damaged by exposure to harmful substances or another cause such as genetic mutations or inflammation.
Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma and it takes a long time for symptoms to show up. Symptoms can include shortness of breath (dyspnea) and abdominal pain, fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) and other signs of lung disease. Mesothelioma can also affect the kidneys, skin and reproductive organs.
Patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma should be evaluated at one of the most reputable cancer centers. The specialists at these centers can assist patients and their relatives in receiving appropriate medical treatment and in identifying options for treatment. People who have been exposed to asbestos at work should also seek financial compensation from companies that use this harmful substance. This compensation could be used to cover treatment costs or other expenses.
What are the signs of mesothelioma?
If someone suspects that they might have mesothelioma they should consult a doctor right away. While there is no cure, treatment can prolong a patient's lifespan and improve quality of life. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer however it is important to get diagnosed as early as is possible.
The first step is to visit their primary physician and explain the symptoms. The doctor will then conduct physical examination and take the medical records of the patient to determine risk factors.
Many mesothelioma patients will experience chest or abdominal discomfort. This is due to the inflammation that occurs due to asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, and adhere to organ linings. Over time, these can develop into cancer.
The majority times mesothelioma is found in the lungs. This is called mesothelioma pleural. It may also form on the lining of your abdomen (peritoneum). This is called peritoneal Mesothelioma. It is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, making up only 10% of cases.
Other types of mesothelioma can develop in the membrane around the heart or the reproductive organs. These forms are less common and comprise less than 1% of mesothelioma cases. They are more difficult to detect compared to pleural mesothelioma.
The mesothelioma latency period is typically long and can take decades before revealing the first signs. If they do, they could include breathing difficulties, chest pain, fatigue and weight loss.
A biopsy is often required to confirm the presence and type of cancerous mesothelioma cells in a patient. Other tests, like MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays, may be used to rule other conditions out.
Doctors will design an action plan for mesothelioma based on its type and stage. Some treatments are more effective than others for certain types of mesothelioma. These treatments may include chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy. Patients are also able to participate in clinical trials to test new treatments.
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers inflame the organ's lining. These irritated areas become thickened and develop tumors as time passes, which eventually lead to mesothelioma cancer cells. Mesothelioma may occur in the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or in the intestines (peritoneal mesothelioma), heart or testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). It can take between 15 and 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to manifest.
The majority of patients with mesothelioma are diagnosed by their primary physician or an oncologist. The 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 chest or abdomen. These tests will reveal if there is a fluid buildup in the stomach or lungs and help determine the cause of mesothelioma.
The doctor will then be able to test for mesothelioma using an example of tissue or fluid under the microscope. They can also take a biopsy by inserting a needle in the area in which fluid has accumulated, and removing a piece of tissue to be examined under a microscope.
Mesothelioma is often mistaken for other conditions such as lung cancer or pneumonia. Many patients are misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. Mesothelioma sufferers should consult a specialist and speak with their doctors about their exposure to asbestos.
If mesothelioma is suspected and a doctor has ruled it out, they will order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for asbestos in the abdomen or the lungs. A chest X-ray may also reveal the presence of fluid between the lung wall and the chest, called an Pleural effusion. To examine peritoneal mesothelioma causes , the doctor will inject numbness into the skin and needles into the area affected. They will then send a small amount of fluid to a laboratory for testing for cancerous cells.
If a doctor determines that Mesothelioma is the cause, they will suggest treatment options. For pleural mesothelioma treatment could involve surgery to remove the pleura as well as the surrounding tissue. For mesothelioma peritoneal, surgery may involve taking out the abdominal lining and part of the diaphragm. In some cases mesothelioma is treated with radiation or chemotherapy.