Mesothelioma - A Rare Asbestos Disease
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that grows in the linings of various organs. It can start in the lung (pleural msothelioma) or in the stomach lining.
The exposure to asbestos is a major risk factor for mesothelioma. It could take years for symptoms to appear after exposure. The symptoms can appear similar to other illnesses.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is aggressive and caused by inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers. The cancer begins in the mesothelium - an ointment that protects the majority of internal organs. It can affect the linings of the chest cavity and abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma pleural) or the heart, as well as testicles. It could take years for the disease to develop and victims may experience symptoms before they are diagnosed.
The first signs of mesothelioma tend to be persistent coughing or difficulty breathing. The disease can cause abdominal pain as well as weight loss. It is important to see a doctor if you have these symptoms. There are a variety of tests to rule out mesothelioma as well as other illnesses. The doctors will inquire about how long you've had exposure to asbestos, and where you worked.
Mesothelioma symptoms typically appear after a period of time following exposure to asbestos. The long time between exposure and symptoms can lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment. The symptoms can also be difficult to detect and may be mistaken for other diseases. Mesothelioma patients must always consult an expert for a definitive diagnosis.
Certain doctors may recommend screening tests like X-rays, computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests can reveal signs of the illness, but they do not reveal the nature or extent of the disease. A biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves a small piece of tissue being removed to be examined under a microscope.
The biopsy can reveal the mesothelioma type. There are two types that are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 70 - 80percent of diagnoses, and is much easier to treat than mesothelioma sarcomatoid. The more sarcomatoid the mesothelioma more difficult it is to treat.
Pleural mesothelioma usually begins in the liner (pleura) of the lungs. It may also grow in the peritoneal lining or the pericardium. When mesothelioma is diagnosed, it may be spreading to other parts. If mesothelioma has progressed to later stages patients should be treated. These treatments can help control the symptoms and reduce discomfort at the end of life.
Diagnosis
It could take up to 50 years before symptoms of mesothelioma begin to manifest. The symptoms are usually similar to those of other less serious illnesses and are often difficult to diagnose. The symptoms include coughing, chest pain, and
0270469 shortness in breath. When asbestos victims have these symptoms, they must immediately consult a doctor. This will ensure that the illness is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Doctors will start by conducting a physical exam. They will ask about the patient's history of exposure to asbestos. They may also recommend imaging tests such as an CT scan or a chest X-ray. These tests will look for signs of asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques or the accumulation of fluid between the lungs, known as an effusion of the pleura.
The imaging tests can aid doctors in determining a possible mesothelioma cancer's location and its extent. The tests will also show whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the human body.
Another way to diagnose mesothelioma is with a biopsy. A bronchoscope can be inserted into the mouth or throat area of a patient who is under anesthesia. The tube is connected to a camera at the end. This lets doctors observe the space between the lung and take tissues for testing.
A PET scan can help doctors determine the extent of the cancer's spread and find mesothelioma-related areas elsewhere in the body. Other biopsy options include thoracoscopy or fine-needle aspiration.
It can be challenging for doctors to diagnose the disease correctly even with these tests due to the rarity and difficulty of obtaining biopsy samples. It is crucial that asbestos sufferers inform their physicians about their exposure to asbestos and describe any symptoms, even those that appear to be vague or not common. Asbestos patients should also seek out support groups and other resources for assistance with legal, financial and emotional challenges associated with a mesothelioma diagnosis. These resources include mesothelioma compensation plans as well as specialized cancer clinics and patient lodging programs. The American Cancer Society has a database that contains these sources. They can help you locate them.
Treatment
Mesothelioma, a cancerous condition caused by asbestos fibres when inhaled or swallowed, is a form of cancer which can be fatal. These fibres get lodged into the mesothelium, a thin protective layer that surrounds many internal organs. Malignant mesothelioma develops when cells in the mesothelium begin to become abnormal and start to expand out of control, eventually forming tumors. Mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos and it can occur in the Pleura (lungs) as well as the the peritoneum (abdominal cavity) or pericardium (heart cavity).
There are four distinct types of mesothelioma. The most prevalent kind is pleural mesothelioma which starts in the lining of the chest cavity. It accounts for 90% mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma cases are in the lining of the abdomen or
0270469 in the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart). It is also possible to develop mesothelioma within the membrane that surrounds the testicles or the ovaries.
In the UK, mesothelioma kills around 2,500 people every year. The majority of cases are due to asbestos exposure which was used to construct buildings until 1999. Asbestos exposure is most commonly an occupational danger. However, it can be a problem when people bring home their dirty work clothes from the office or disrupt asbestos during home renovations or maintenance.
The initial signs of Mesothelioma are similar to the symptoms of other diseases, like a persistent cough or breathing problems. It is often difficult to diagnose and it may take a long time before symptoms show up. This is due to mesothelioma being able to be a lengthy latency period, meaning it can take up to 40 years after exposure for a patient to be diagnosed with the disease.
A lung X-ray and biopsies can be used to determine if a person has mesothelioma. A biopsy involves taking a small portion of tissue and then examining it under microscope. A biopsy can aid doctors in determining whether the cancer is epithelioid sarcomatoid or biphasic. The most prevalent mesothelioma type, epithelioid, accounts for 60 - 80%. It is also the easiest to treat. Sarcomatoid is a lesser-known cancer but it does grow faster and has a worse prognosis than epithelioid.
Prognosis
The rate of survival for mesothelioma that is malignant varies from case to. It depends on how much mesothelioma is affecting the body and if it is diagnosed and treated in the early stages. People with mesothelioma pleural which affects the lining of the lungs, generally have a better chance of survival than those with mesothelioma of the testicular or peritoneal region.
Asbestos exposure is linked to various cancers, including mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled or swallowed and stick to the organ's lining, such as the lungs, the heart and abdomen. These fibers irritate the lining of the organ, causing tumors. Cancer cells can spread to other parts through lymph nodes or blood.