Mesothelioma - Is Mesothelioma Always Caused by Asbestos?
Asbestos can stick to workers' clothing, hair and skin. Workers then take it home where their family can be exposed to the dangerous mineral.
Exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma in the long run. The risk increases with time but the rate of increase seems to slow for pleural mesothelioma in the 40-50 years since exposure.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer, affects the tissue linings that surround some internal organs. This includes the linings of the chest cavity (pleura), the abdominal cavity (pericardium) and the heart (pericardium). It can be fatal.
The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers are extremely strong, microscopic and naturally occurring. From the 1930s until the 1980s, it was used in a range of products including buildings, vehicles, and construction materials, because it was resistant to water, fire and sound. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and swallowed when disturbed. Inhaled fibers can cause irritation to the stomach and lungs, and abnormal cells may develop. Most commonly, chrysotile is the cause of mesothelioma. Other asbestos forms like amphibole and tremolite, also can cause mesothelioma.
Exposure to asbestos typically occurs in the workplace. Mesothelioma is a condition that can develop between 20 and 60 year. Signs include breathlessness, a persistent cough and fluid in the lung. The U.S. Military used asbestos in aircrafts, ships, and barracks. Veterans comprise 33% of the mesothelioma sufferers.
Mesothelioma patients can undergo treatment to manage their symptoms and improve the quality of their life. The symptoms can be controlled by surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) is a procedure that patients with pleural msothelioma may undergo. In this procedure, surgeons remove the lining of the chest cavity and lung and then use sterile talcum powder to inflame the lining, which prevents the fluid from accumulating again.
Mesothelioma can be very difficult to diagnose and is extremely rare. If you have been exposed to asbestos and are experiencing symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor. They will ask about your medical history, look for signs of mesothelioma, and test for the reason for the symptoms. The earlier you seek treatment, the best way to guarantee the best possible outcome. A biopsy is the only definitive test for mesothelioma. A doctor can diagnose mesothelioma through a physical exam and a blood sample.
How can mesothelioma be caused?
The asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, is a result of the growth of tissue that lines the organs of the human body. The most common locations for mesothelioma growth are the lung (pleural mesothelioma) and stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma can also grow in the linings of the chest cavity and testicles.
Long-term exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma. This includes those who have worked directly with asbestos or its products. People who live near mines or mills of asbestos are at risk of being exposed to fibers and dust that are released into the air. Families of asbestos workers are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that they can inhale the particles in their clothing.
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is more common among men. This is probably due to the fact that males were more commonly exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Additionally, mesothelioma takes between 15 to 40 years after exposure to develop. This makes it difficult for many victims to diagnose as their symptoms may not manifest until they are in their 50s or more.
Like all cancers, mesothelioma starts when normal cells begin to alter and multiply without control. This happens when genes are damaged within a cell by exposure to harmful substances or other factors, such as genetic mutations and inflammation.
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma and it takes a long time before symptoms begin to manifest. Symptoms include shortness in breath (dyspnea) abdominal discomfort, swelling on the lungs and other signs of lung diseases. Mesothelioma can also affect the kidneys, skin and reproductive organs.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma should visit one of the best cancer centers of excellence for a thorough assessment. The specialists at these centers can assist patients and family members in receiving the right treatment and determining the best options for treatment. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace should also seek financial compensation from the companies using this toxic material. This compensation could be used to pay for treatment or other expenses.
What are the signs of mesothelioma?
A person should consult with a doctor right away if they suspect they may have mesothelioma. Treatment can improve the quality of life and prolong the lifespan of patients even though there is no cure. It is crucial to recognize mesothelioma as early as is possible, even though it is a rare type of cancer.
The first step is for a patient to visit their primary care physician and describe their symptoms. The doctor will conduct physical examination and take the medical records of the patient to determine the risk factors.
Patients with mesothelioma typically experience abdominal or chest pain. This is due to inflammation that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can be swallowed or inhaled, and they adhere to organ linings. In time, they may grow into cancer.
The lung is the most common place where mesothelioma occurs. This is called mesothelioma pleural. It can also grow on the lining of your abdomen (peritoneum). This is referred to as peritoneal Mesothelioma. It is less common, just 10 percent of cases, than the pleural msothelioma.
Some other types of mesothelioma can be found in the membrane surrounding the heart or reproductive organs. These types are less prevalent and make up only about 1percent of mesothelioma cases. They are usually more difficult to identify than mesothelioma pleural.
Mesothelioma generally has a lengthy latency period, meaning it can take decades from the date of exposure until the first signs appear. If they do, they may include chest pain, fatigue and weight loss.
A biopsy is usually required to confirm the presence and type of cancer mesothelioma-related cells in patients. Other tests may be used to rule out other conditions, like MRI, CT scans and X-rays.
Doctors will develop an action plan for mesothelioma according to its type and stage. Certain treatments are more effective than others for certain mesothelioma types. These treatments can include chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy. Patients may also participate in clinical trials to test new treatments.
How do I detect mesothelioma?
Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma when they cause irritation to organ linings. The irritated areas get thicker and develop tumors as time passes, which eventually cause mesothelioma-related cancerous cells. Mesothelioma can be found in the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma), in the intestines (peritoneal mesothelioma) testicles or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It typically takes between 15 and 50 years for mesothelioma symptoms to show up.
The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma have been diagnosed by their primary doctor or oncologist. Their doctor will perform physical examination as well as review their medical and work history. If they suspect mesothelioma the doctor might perform an X-ray or CT scan of the abdomen or chest. These tests will reveal whether there is a fluid buildup in the lungs or stomach and can help determine the source of the mesothelioma.
Once these tests are completed after which the doctor can look for mesothelioma at a sample of liquid or tissue under microscope. They can also perform biopsy, which involves inserting an instrument into the area where the fluid has built up and pulling out a small piece of tissue to be examined under the microscope for mesothelioma cell.
Mesothelioma can be mistaken for other conditions such as lung cancer or pneumonia. Many patients are misdiagnosed or are not diagnosed. Mesothelioma sufferers should consult an expert and talk to their physicians about their asbestos mesothelioma other causes exposure.
If mesothelioma has been suspected and a doctor has ruled it out, they will order an CT scan or chest Xray to check for asbestos in the abdomen or lungs. A chest Xray may reveal a swell of fluid between the lung and the chest wall. This is referred to as an pleural effusion. The doctor will numb your skin and insert a needle into the area affected to examine the fluid. They will send a sample of fluid to a laboratory for testing for cancerous cells.
If a doctor diagnoses mesothelioma they will recommend treatments. Treatment for pleural cancer could include surgery to remove the pleura or the surrounding tissue. Surgery is a method to remove the abdominal liner as well as a portion of the diaphragm when there is peritoneal cancer. In certain cases chemotherapy or radiation can be used to treat mesothelioma.