Asbestos Lung Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma may develop in the protective linings of organs, such as the lungs, heart (pleura) and the abdomen, and the heart. It can also be found in the lining of testes.
Asbestos lung cancer is usually caused by prolonged and extensive exposure to asbestos fibers. This type of asbestos exposure is typical in blue-collar positions.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos fibers irritating the mesothelium layer on organs like the lungs and stomach. Exposure to asbestos usually occurs when workers remove or handle materials containing this mineral. Workers could also bring asbestos dust into their homes, which can be found on their clothes and skin, putting spouses, children and other family members at risk of developing mesothelioma later in the course of their lives. Asbestos is a mineral found naturally that was once used in a variety of products. It is now banned in a majority of countries due to its harmful health effects.
Mesothelioma symptoms vary depending on the location where the tumor develops and what stage the cancer is at. The early signs are difficult to recognize and are often misinterpreted as other illnesses, including the flu or pneumonia. Patients who are experiencing these symptoms should visit their physician to have a physical examination and discuss their history of exposure to asbestos.
The most commonly reported mesothelioma-related symptom is difficulty breathing. This is caused by a buildup fluid in the lungs, making it hard for patients to breathe oxygen into their bodies. In addition, pleural mesothelioma can cause chest discomfort, coughing, and fever.
Other mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal nausea, bloating, pain and constipation. This is due to asbestos' ability to make the lining of the abdomen thicken. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts to 60 to 80% of all mesothelioma cases. Other mesothelioma types include mesothelioma peritoneal that is found in the stomach lining and sarcomatoid which is a rarer form that grows faster and is more difficult to treat.
In the majority of cases, doctors can identify mesothelioma by taking an in-person biopsy of the patient's tissue to test. They may also use imaging scans such as X-rays or CT scans to see how the cancer is growing in the body of a patient. These tests are not conclusive and only reveal whether or not a patient is suffering from mesothelioma and not the type.
Patients with a history of asbestos-related exposure must inform their doctor immediately if any new symptoms or worsening symptoms occur, especially if the patient is older than 40. Younger patients tend to have higher mesothelioma survival rates because they are more likely to receive treatment that is available in clinical trials.
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to determine asbestos lung mesothelioma. The symptoms of lung cancer and pneumonia as well as other respiratory illnesses may be similar. This is due to the fact that asbestos cancer sufferers have a latency period, which means that it can take between 10 and 50 years for the disease to develop following exposure to asbestos fibers.
A patient's primary physician can help to make the diagnosis. They will inquire with the patient about their history of exposure to asbestos and may perform a physical exam. This may include listening to the chest with the stethoscope, and examining for lumps or swelling in the abdomen or chest area. Doctors may also conduct imaging scans like X-rays, CT and MRI scans to detect any abnormalities. These scans can tell if there is fluid in the lungs or other areas of the body. They can also detect any tumors.
These tests may help doctors determine if there are any other conditions, however biopsy is the only way to diagnose Mesothelioma. This involves taking a small portion of the affected tissue to be tested in a laboratory. The biopsy will confirm the presence of mesothelioma and identify its stage. Stage 1 mesothelioma is confined to the pleura, and is easier to treat than later stages of cancer.
The most common symptom of pleural mesothelioma is constant coughing, which is accompanied by chest discomfort and difficulty breathing. Patients may also suffer from fatigue, fever and weight loss. They may also notice a bluish color on the bones and skin fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion) as well as dry cough, breathlessness and a change in the shape of the fingers and toes referred to as clubbing.
It is important to speak to a doctor regarding any symptoms you might be experiencing, particularly persistent symptoms that do not go completely. Patients must be prepared to talk about their past asbestos exposure and any relevant symptoms, as this can help accelerate the diagnosis of mesothelioma. It is also important to be as thorough as possible when describing the symptoms, as this can help doctors to rule out other illnesses. It is crucial to be aware of asbestos exposure history in the construction industry, because it is a significant risk factor for mesothelioma.
Treatment
Malignant mesothelioma develops in the lining of certain organs such as the chest and abdomen. Mesothelioma may develop when asbestos fibers enter the body and travel to organs via the bloodstream. The fibers cause the lining of your body to get inflamed and, over time they can cause cancerous tumors to develop.
Mesothelioma can result from asbestos exposure at work or in the home. The most commonly encountered type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the chest cavity and the lungs. The mesothelioma that is peritoneal is the second most frequent. It affects the lining in the abdomen. mesothelioma from asbestos exposure is less common for people to develop mesothelioma on the membrane around the heart or reproductive organs.
Asbestos can be dangerous because it is broken down into tiny airborne particles which are too small to be seen and are easily inhaled. Once inhaled these particles can cause long-term damage to healthy tissue. Asbestos is more common among those who work in the construction industry, however it can also affect those who are close to them, including teachers, school administrators and family members.
Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to diagnose because they may be similar to other respiratory illnesses. Doctors can rule out other illnesses by looking at the physical health of patients and asking about their exposure to asbestos in the past. If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, they will request scans of the abdomen or chest. These tests may include CT (computerized tomography) scans, MRIs, PET scans or X-rays.
After a diagnosis has been established, doctors will recommend treatments that will improve the quality of life of patients. Some of these treatments include surgery, chemotherapy radiation therapy and many more. The outlook for survival is still low for mesothelioma. Even with treatment, most patients will not live for more than several years after diagnosis. It is possible to stop mesothelioma through limiting exposure to asbestos. Some people exposed to asbestos do not develop the disease. There are a variety of risk factors that can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the thin layer of tissue that lines the majority of internal organs, including the lungs (pleura) and abdomen (peritoneum). Asbestos fibers inhaled, or consumed can cause cancers. The disease cannot be cured however treatment can extend the lifespan of a person.
Pleural mesothelioma, the most frequent mesothelioma type is the most prevalent. This type occurs when asbestos fibers inhaled accumulate in the pleura, where they trigger genetic changes that lead to the growth of cancerous tumors. People who have been exposed to asbestos at work, especially those in shipbuilding and asbestos insulation, are at greater risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Veterans of the military are also at risk due to the fact that they could have brought asbestos fibers home on their uniforms, clothing, or tools.
Other mesothelioma types are less prevalent and each affects a different area of the body. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until decades after exposure to asbestos. The latency period can range between 10 and 40 years.
Asbestos lung cancer tends to be restricted to the linings of lung. However, it could also affect the linings of the chest cavity (pericardium), or the linings of the heart. Additionally, some researchers have found that certain genes may increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can look like other types of cancer and are difficult to recognize. The first signs of mesothelioma can be a dry, coughing cough or chest pain. Mesothelioma patients may receive a diagnosis with an examination or biopsy.
A doctor will review a person's complete medical history and look for any previous asbestos exposure, as well as other factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma to develop. Doctors will also look for fluid in the abdomen, lungs or chest cavity.
The severity of the condition will be determined and the person is classified into four stages based on the severity of the cancer. The stage of the mesothelioma will determine how much treatment and prognosis is needed. Treatments available for patients with mesothelioma stages 1 and 2 comprise chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation.