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Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Related Cancers

People with previous exposure to asbestos are at risk of developing different types of cancers, including mesothelioma. These cancers have a time-of-resistance of many years, meaning that symptoms might not manifest until years after exposure.

The risk of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma declines with time since the first exposure. Evidence is based upon six occupationally and two residential cohort studies that have a long-term follow-up.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma refers to cancer of the lining of internal organs, including the lung (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is a rare and aggressive disease that usually begins in the lining of the chest cavity. However, it can also affect the lining in the stomach, as well as other parts of your body. asbestos claim exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma, and the cancer is usually not able to appear until decades after the initial exposure.

The people who are exposed asbestos at work have a greater risk of developing cancer than others. Asbestos fibres can be swallowed or inhaled and stick to the organ lining. The fibers can cause irritation to the lining of the organ and cause abnormal cells to multiply, leading to tumors. The signs usually don't show until a person has developed advanced mesothelioma.

Asbestos exposure most often is found in industrial settings where workers handled the material or worked in proximity to it. Asbestos was employed in shipbuilding, construction auto repair, shipbuilding and other trades. Veterans who served in the military are particularly at risk for mesothelioma, as asbestos compensation was used extensively on bases and ships.

Patients with a history of asbestos exposure need to be checked regularly, and should be alert to any unusual symptoms. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they could request imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI or PET scans to check for tumors and see whether they have developed. They can also conduct an examination and inquire about the patient's asbestos exposure history. Some cases of mesothelioma are related to genetic changes, and therefore some patients may benefit from genetic tests.

Risk Factors

The primary risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral that is made up of tiny fibers that are durable and withstand heat. Asbestos was previously utilized in a range of manufacturing and construction materials such as insulation, brakes and shingles flooring, and more. Asbestos dust is inhaled and swallowed if disturbed. As time passes, this could cause irritation of the mesothelium which could eventually lead to mesothelioma.

People who have had an history of occupational asbestos claim exposure are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. This includes those who worked in fields such as mining, shipbuilding construction, automotive repair and construction. Veterans of the military are also at high risk, since a number of branches of the military utilized asbestos-based products.

Other factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma are the family history of asbestos exposure as well as prior radiation therapy to the chest. Furthermore the type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed has a significant impact on the risk. Pleural mesothelioma, the most prevalent form and typically affects the lungs. Other forms of mesothelioma are testicular, pericardial, and peritoneal.

In general, the risk of mesothelioma increases with the third to fourth power of latency - which is the length of time it takes for a patient to be diagnosed. However, the incidence of pleural mesothelioma has a slight flattening around 40 years after exposure. Peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma both exhibit this trend too. People who have a para-occupational exposure to asbestos, like living near to an asbestos plant or eating contaminated household products are also at higher risk for mesothelioma. One study of six cities showed that those with this kind of exposure had a higher mesothelioma rate than those who only had occupational exposure.

Symptoms

Malignant mesothelioma affects the tissue linings surrounding internal organs. It is most often found in the lung lining and abdomen. Mesothelioma can also form in the lining around the heart or testicles. It is a rare form of cancer and the majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma work on jobs that involved exposure to asbestos. It can take a long time for symptoms of mesothelioma to develop and the disease is not curable.

Asbestos is one of the minerals that have thin microscopically-sized fibers that are resistant to fire, chemicals and heat. It was previously widely employed in shipbuilding, construction manufacturing, and many other industries. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as the fibers get stuck in the tissues that line and protect organs, causing irritation and damaging cells. This can result in tumors expanding and eventually becoming cancerous.

The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs (pleura). It may also start in the lining around the testicles or heart or the abdominal lining (peritoneum). Mesothelioma can also spread to the lymph nodes, causing them to expand.

The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are those who have a long history of exposure to asbestos and are suffering from other ailments such as chronic lung disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other conditions which is why it is crucial to visit a doctor if you observe any warning signs or symptoms. Doctors might inquire about asbestos exposure in the past, and then conduct a physical exam. They may also request imaging scans or blood tests of your abdomen and chest. These tests can reveal any fluid or thickening between the lungs and chest wall.

Diagnosis

When asbestos fibers become stuck to the body, they can cause harm and eventually develop into cancerous tumors. Different types of asbestos-related cancers develop in various organs or tissues, and each type can be identified using different tests. Mesothelioma is found in the tissues of the chest cavity and lungs (pleura), the stomach membranes (peritoneum) or around the reproductive organs and the heart.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to speak with their doctor about their history with asbestos exposure and what symptoms they've been experiencing. Doctors also conduct a physical exam and order basic tests like blood tests to determine how well the lungs are working.

X-rays or CT scans can help doctors understand the affected area more clearly. In some cases, doctors will use an pleural effusion test in order to determine if mesothelioma, or another disease is causing fluid buildup in the lungs. The pleural effusion may be a symptom of pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma or a rarer form of mesothelioma known as biphasic or mixed mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed due to the symptoms resemble those of other diseases and conditions. The most common symptoms are breathing difficulties and chest pain. Pleural mesothelioma may also cause a cough, chest tightness and fatigue. Peritoneal mesothelioma may cause abdominal discomfort swelling and distension. Testicular mesothelioma could manifest as a swollen or itchy lump on the testicles.

Researchers are studying specific blood-borne proteins to find methods to detect mesothelioma earlier in its development. They are also looking into several other tests and procedures that may enhance the accuracy of diagnostic tests, including mesothelioma scans and MRIs. They are also studying genetic mutations and ways to determine if someone is at risk of developing mesothelioma through analyzing their family history.

Treatment

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. People who worked with asbestos in the past, particularly for prolonged periods of time, or in high-risk jobs such as construction, shipbuilding, electrical work auto repair and military service are at greater risk.

Exposure to asbestos triggers mesothelioma as fibers become stuck in tissue that lines and protects vital organs. The fibers cause DNA damage and irritation to the mesothelium which leads to the growth of cancerous cells. Mesothelioma symptoms usually do not appear until decades after exposure.

Symptoms differ depending on the type of mesothelioma as well as the place it is found in the body. Most mesothelioma cases involve the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) however it may also be found in the stomach's lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or testicles (testicular mesothelioma).

Mesothelioma staging helps doctors determine treatment options. The disease is categorized as stages I to IV, with stages I and II being the first stages and most treatment-able. Stage III and stage IV are the last stages of cancer and are more difficult to treat. However there are numerous options for treatment.

Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of cancer and affects the lining of the lungs and chest wall as well as the abdomen. In the majority of cases of pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure was a result of the workplace. Most likely asbestos was inhaled through airborne particles or ingested through food items.

Other risk factors include a family history of mesothelioma or genetic mutations as well as previous radiation therapy for a different disease. If you've been exposed to asbestos and have mesothelioma symptoms, it is essential to consult your doctor. You could also benefit from genetic counseling. In some instances, a mesothelioma specialist can help you file an action against companies that wrongfully put asbestos in everyday products.