The Cause of Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma can begin in the tissue layer that covers every lung (pleural mesothelioma) or in the layer of tissue that covers organs in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). Mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
Certain patients with mesothelioma are unable to undergo surgery due to the cancer stage. Other treatment options include a pleural drain to reduce fluid buildup and palliative treatment to alleviate symptoms.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a group fibrous minerals which are resistant to heat and durable. In the past, they were used for insulation and construction materials. Workers who handle asbestos are at risk of breathing asbestos fibers that may stick to the linings of their lungs. These fibers may stay in the lungs for years which can cause lung issues and eventually mesothelioma.
The mesothelium is a lining that covers organs. Most cases of mesothelioma cancer develop in the lungs' linings (pleura) however it may also affect the abdomen's lining (peritoneum) and the heart's lining (pericardium). Mesothelioma is distinct from other cancers because it typically takes between 10-50 years after exposure to asbestos for symptoms to show.
Mesothelioma is most likely to develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos at work. These jobs include shipyard workers construction workers, shipyard workers miners and other industrial jobs. Veterans with mesothelioma are often diagnosed due to being exposed to asbestos while serving in the military.
Workers in these high-risk jobs were exposed to asbestos on ships, in construction sites and in vehicles. The fibers were also carried home by the workers on their uniforms, hair and uniforms, as well as their equipment. Families of workers exposed to asbestos while at work are also at risk of contracting mesothelioma and other illnesses. This secondhand exposure to asbestos is referred to as secondary mesothelioma.
Other industries that carry a high asbestos exposure risk include asbestos producers and pipe fitters. These industries were mainly located in the United States and used chrysotile asbestos, amosite asbestos, and crocidolite as their main products. These industries also had the highest risk of asbestos exposure, either on clothing or tools.
Radiation exposure
While asbestos is believed to be the primary cause of mesothelioma lung cancer, radiation exposure is also associated with this disease. Mesothelioma patients exposed to radiation have the highest chance of developing the more aggressive and difficult to treat mesothelioma sarcomatoid. This kind of mesothelioma can be a threat to the lungs, chest wall and heart tissue. Exposure to radiation, including radium, and other forms of radiation can increase a patient's risk for developing this mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is often difficult to detect. Because of this, patients might undergo a variety of tests to determine if they have the disease. These tests can include a physical exam, imaging scans and a biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of a small amount tissue or fluid to test for mesothelioma.
Doctors utilize a variety of radiation therapy to treat mesothelioma patients. The treatment is usually given either prior to or after surgery. They may also use it to reduce tumors in patients that are not able to have surgery. Radiation therapy is an alternative treatment that utilizes high energy radiations, like gamma or X-rays to kill cancerous tissue by destroying their DNA.
The use of radiation is to treat pleural as well as mesothelioma peritoneal due to the method it uses to kill cancerous cells and prevent them from spreading. Unlike many other types of treatment, radiation does not harm healthy tissues around it. In mesothelioma treatment, doctors will place special shields on the patient's body in order to protect them from the harmful effects of the treatment.
It can be difficult for doctors diagnose mesothelioma in a precise manner due to the time of latency. Because of this, mesothelioma is frequently mistakenly identified as a lung cancer or as a common illness like bronchitis or pneumonia. Therefore, it is essential that patients tell their doctors about their asbestos exposure so that they can get regular checkups and a mesothelioma diagnosis when it occurs.
Genetics
Researchers have discovered that genetics play a part in mesothelioma. A small proportion of those who are exposed for a long time to asbestos develop mesothelioma. Certain studies have demonstrated that mutations in the tumor-suppressing gene make it more likely for them to develop mesothelioma.
Scientists are trying to figure out how these gene mutations contribute to mesothelioma. Scientists are trying to figure out how asbestos affects DNA, and why some people are prone to more mutations compared to those who have a history of asbestos exposure.
The first symptoms of mesothelioma might not manifest for at least 50 years after the initial asbestos exposure. If the disease does develop the first symptoms are usually chest pain. These symptoms can be easily mistaken for the pneumonia or flu. When the symptoms begin to manifest it is already taken over the lung tissue. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed in various stages based on the extent to which it has spread. The cancer may be present in the lung tissue, the lungs, or other organs.
Many patients with mesothelioma suffer from complications related to the cancer. The most common complications are respiratory failure and collapsed lungs. Other causes of death include lung infections, a buildup of fluid in the pleura (the lining of the lungs) or the growth of a tumor into the diaphragm or heart.
Some people with mesothelioma have children that suffer from the disease, leading to a debate over whether there is a genetic link to mesothelioma. The idea that mesothelioma is genetic because children of parents who had mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses were more likely to be affected by these diseases. Recent research has revealed that there is no genetic connection between mesothelioma or asbestos.
Doctors can determine if mesothelioma is present by taking a sample of fluids or tissues. They can also review the patient's medical records to determine if there is an asbestos-related history. Doctors can also conduct an CT scan or MRI to determine the location of mesothelioma as well as its place within the body.
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Mesothelioma, an asbestos cancer occurs in the thin layer (mesothelium) that covers the majority of internal organs. It usually affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs (pleura). It may also occur in the lining of the abdomen or the heart (peritoneal mesothelioma of the pericardial region), or in the testicles. The doctors separate mesothelioma into stages according to the location of the cancer and its size. The earlier mesothelioma can be diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.
A doctor can diagnose asbestosis by asking about the medical history of the patient and checking for symptoms. They can also request an X-ray of the chest or computed tomography scans to detect calcium deposits on the pleura or lungs, signs of fluid in the chest cavity and/or changes in the diaphragm. They may also look for mesothelioma in lymph nodes of the abdomen and chest.
If a doctor suspects you may have mesothelioma, they could do a biopsies to confirm the diagnosis. They will also determine the stage of the cancer. The type of mesothelioma cells will also help doctors determine the most effective treatment.
The majority of people diagnosed with pleural cancer have had a history of exposure in the workplace to asbestos. The exposure could have been from direct contact or indirect contact. Indirect exposure occurs when a person brings home the carcinogen that they the work they do on their clothes hair, skin or through contaminated tools. In the US, asbestos exposure has been identified in mesothelioma is caused by 80percent of patients suffering from mesothelioma. In the UK, it is around 50 percent.
There are several types of mesothelioma surgery which can alleviate or reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. For pleural mesothelioma the most commonly performed procedures include an extrapleural pneumonectomy or a pleurectomy with pulmonary decortication. These surgeries remove the tumor, as well as the pleura, a part of the lung, or part of the diaphragm, or the lining of the heart. Some patients could be candidates for a minimally-invasive procedure that involves the removal of only the pleura and a tiny portion of the lung affected. These procedures are able to be employed in a combination to increase the patient's life expectancy.