Nine Things That Your Parent Taught You About Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer > 자유게시판

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause cancer of the peritoneal area.

Symptoms can appear 10 to 50 years after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms include shortness of breath, abdominal pain and chest pain.

Risk Factors

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibres enter the body. The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the chest cavity's lining and lungs. Mesothelioma can also form in the peritoneum (the membrane surrounding the heart) or in the pericardium. It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to develop and to show signs that can be mistaken for flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma most often affects older people, and it is more prevalent in males than women.

The exposure to asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. Asbestos is a natural mineral composed of tiny fibres that were used in construction materials, including ceilings and walls because of its resistance fire and heat. It was also widely utilized in the manufacture of goods such as pipes, insulations shingles, and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos legal was prevalent, such as mining, construction or shipbuilding, are at high risk of developing mesothelioma. However, even those who only had secondary exposure like relatives who brought home asbestos-contaminated clothes and skin, are also at risk.

A small percentage of mesothelioma cases are linked to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic change increases the chance of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos.

Age is another important risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most prevalent in those who are older than 45 years, and two thirds of those who are diagnosed with it are 65 years old or older. This is due to the long duration of exposure to asbestos compensation. However it is also possible that older people are more likely to develop the disease due to the prolonged exposure.

Mesothelioma is more common in white males than in women or members of any other race. This is because historically more white men have worked in occupations that put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma was usually seen in people who were exposed to asbestos prior to when more stringent regulations were put in the 1980s.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, occurs in the linings that protect many organs. The cancerous tumors can cause severe pain and can damage the tissues. The malignancy can extend to other areas of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. They can take up to 50 years following asbestos exposure before they show symptoms. The latency period can make it difficult to diagnose the disease in the early stages and symptoms can be misinterpreted as other conditions.

In most cases, the malignant tumors start in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma can also develop in the linings that surround the heart and abdomen. In rare instances it may affect the lining of the heart or the testes.

Asbestos is made up of a collection of minerals that forms long, thin fibres. These fibers are so durable that they are unable to be broken down by chemical, water or bacteria. They were extensively used in many household and construction products for decades before scientists understood how dangerous they were for health.

The majority of mesothelioma cases were triggered by exposure to asbestos at work or at home. The majority of patients exposed worked for the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry or Construction. It is more prevalent in men than women and veterans comprise about 30 percent of mesothelioma patients.

Imaging scans and medical tests can help doctors identify mesothelioma. These include X-rays CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also collect a sample of the tissue and send it to a lab for testing.

The results can aid in determining the mesothelioma's type and stage which can affect prognosis as well as treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma forms are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15% of cases are biphasic or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the best survival rates. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is harder to diagnose and has a poorer prognosis.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to detect especially in its initial stages. Patients should first consult their primary care physician if they are experiencing any symptoms like chest pain or coughing. The doctor will examine the patient's breathing using an stethoscope, and record their work and health history. This includes any asbestos exposure history, which is crucial for diagnosing mesothelioma.

Doctors must rule out any other diseases before they can confirm the diagnosis, as mesothelioma signs are similar to other diseases. Cancer can infect the lungs of a patient from other organs such as the abdomen or chest. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are very common among asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma can also be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests and imaging tests, as well as biopsies. These tests aid doctors in locating the location of the cancer, which is most often found in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or the testicles. The tests will assist doctors determine how far the cancer has spread in the body.

A CT scan or MRI could reveal the mesothelioma signs including calcium deposits in the pleura (known as plaque) and the accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. These tests can also reveal whether a patient has more lung tissue on one side or the other.

In many instances, a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking small quantities of tissue and testing them in the laboratory for mesothelioma.

Certain patients may require additional tests, like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET), which can help doctors see how the tumor is affecting the lungs' blood supply; mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to examine and collect lymph nodes in the center of the chest as well as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), which uses sound waves to look at the mesothelium and lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and doctors are still learning to treat it effectively. As a result, patients who are diagnosed with cancer must weigh their options carefully to decide which treatment is the best for them.

Treatment

Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms usually don't manifest until decades after exposure to asbestos. This is why it's important for people who have worked around asbestos to get checked out when they experience unusual symptoms.

A doctor will collect a medical history to check for mesothelioma risk factors such as how long and how often an individual was exposed to asbestos. The doctor will also do an examination to find symptoms of mesothelioma like the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The type of cells in the mesothelium, and the location of these cells, are used to identify mesothelioma. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common type of to 80% of mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma are sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma which make up around 10 to 15% of mesothelioma patients.

There are a variety of treatment options available for people with mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type and stage of the mesothelioma.

In some instances, mesothelioma is treated using radiation or chemotherapy. In these procedures doctors administer powerful chemotherapy drugs or utilize special equipment to eliminate cancerous cells and reduce the risk of mesothelioma coming back.

Other types of mesothelioma may be treated through surgery which involves the removal of parts of the tissues of the organ that are affected. This can also ease symptoms like breathing difficulties.

A person with asbestosis pleural may undergo a procedure known as VATS. This involves inserting a camera into lungs and removing a part of the lung and pleura. This procedure can help with breathlessness due to fluid buildup in the lung. However, it does not cure mesothelioma.

Other options for treatment include pain management or support services. It is important for people who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather the most information they can about the disease and how to manage it. The more educated they are, the better they can plan for a future that includes a variety of health and wellness-related activities.