• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma of the pleura and swallowing asbestos can lead to peritoneal mesothelioma.

These symptoms can be a sign of less serious illnesses and can take 10 - 50 years to show. Symptoms include shortness of breath, abdominal pain and chest pain.

Risk Factors

Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibres enter the body. The most common mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the chest cavity and the lungs. Mesothelioma may also grow in the peritoneum (the membrane that surrounds the heart) or the pericardium. The cancer may take up to 50 years to develop before it manifests symptoms. The symptoms are often mistaken for flu like illnesses. Mesothelioma is more common in older people and is more common in males than females.

Asbestos exposure is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of tiny fibres which were employed in construction materials, including walls and ceilings, because of its resistance to heat and fire. It was also widely utilized in the production of products like pipes, insulations, shingles and cement. People who worked in industries where asbestos was common, such as mining, construction or shipbuilding are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have only been exposed to asbestos for a short period of time, such as family who brought home asbestos-covered clothing or skin are at risk.

A small percentage of mesothelioma cases can be traced to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic change increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma in those who have been exposed to asbestos.

The patient's age is also an important risk factor. Mesothelioma typically affects those who are over 45 and two-thirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. This is due in part to the long latency time that is associated with asbestos exposure but it could also be because the disease tends to affect older patients who have experienced longer-term and more intense exposure to the cancer-causing material.

White males are more likely develop mesothelioma more than any other race or gender. This is due to the fact that historically more white men have been employed in occupations which expose them to greater risk of asbestos settlement than other groups. Mesothelioma most commonly affects those who were exposed asbestos before the 1980s, a time when better regulations were in place.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related tumor that forms in the linings that protect several body organs. The cancerous tumors that develop within the tissue may cause irreparable damage and pain. The malignancy may extend to other areas of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses, such as pneumonia or the flu. They typically take between 10 and 50 years to show up after exposure to asbestos. This latency period makes it difficult to recognize mesothelioma early. Additionally, the symptoms could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.

In the majority of cases, malignant tumors begin in the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma is also able to develop in the linings that surround the abdomen and the heart. In rare cases the disease can affect the testes' lining, or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).

Asbestos is minerals in a grouping that forms long, thin fibers. These fibers are so durable that they can't be broken down by chemicals, water or bacteria. These materials were used widely in a variety of household and construction materials for decades before scientists understood how dangerous they were to health.

Most mesothelioma cases were caused due to exposure to asbestos at workplace or at home. The majority of patients who were exposed were employed by the US Navy Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. It is more prevalent among women than men and veterans comprise around 30 percent of mesothelioma patients.

When mesothelioma is diagnosed, doctors can identify it by performing medical tests and imaging scans. These include X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans. The doctor may also take a sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for testing.

The results will allow doctors to determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease which affects the prognosis and treatment options. Most types of mesothelioma are epithelioid or sarcomatoid, and between 10 and 15 percent are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid cancer is less invasive and typically has the highest survival rate. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is more difficult to treat.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify particularly in its early stages. The first step is to visit their primary physician with any signs, like chest pains or coughing. The doctor will listen to the patient's breathing using an stethoscope, and record their medical history and work. This includes any previous asbestos exposure, which is essential in determining mesothelioma's diagnosis.

Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can confirm a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Cancer can develop in the lung tissue of a patient through other parts of the body like the chest or abdomen. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including pneumonia, are very common among asbestos victims. Pleural mesothelioma could be confused with other respiratory illnesses.

Blood tests, imaging tests and biopsy can all be used to diagnose mesothelioma. These tests aid in locating the site of the cancer, which is most often found in the lungs, but can also be in the stomach or testicles. The tests can help doctors determine the extent to which the cancer has spread within the body.

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

In many cases, a biopsied is required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This procedure involves taking a small amount of tissue and analyzing it in the laboratory for mesothelioma cell.

Some patients may require additional tests, for example FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which helps doctors understand how the tumor is affecting the lungs' blood supply; mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to look at and sample lymph nodes located in the middle of the chest as well as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which makes use of sound waves to examine mesothelium and the lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and doctors are still learning to treat it effectively. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should carefully consider their options to determine the best treatment option for them.

Treatment

Mesothelioma can affect the lung's lining (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The symptoms are not usually evident for several decades after exposure to asbestos. This is why it is important for those who have had to work with asbestos case to have their health checked for any unusual symptoms.

A doctor will look over your medical history to determine if you're at mesothelioma-related risks. This includes how long and intensely you were exposed to asbestos claim. The doctor will also perform an examination to detect mesothelioma-related signs, such as fluid build-up in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma is classified by the kind of cells that develop in the mesothelium as well as the site where these cells are. Epithelioid-like mesothelioma comprises 60 percent to 80% mesothelioma. The other types of mesothelioma are biphasic mesothelioma and sarcomatoid which account for approximately 10 to 15% of mesothelioma cases.

There are many treatment options for mesothelioma. The treatment option depends on the type and stage of the mesothelioma.

In certain cases, mesothelioma is treated with chemotherapy or radiation. During these treatments doctors use powerful chemotherapy drugs or equipment to destroy tumors. This reduces the chance of mesothelioma coming back.

Other forms of mesothelioma are treated with surgery that removes part of the lining of the affected organ. This may also help alleviate symptoms like breathing difficulties.

If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura and their doctor recommends VATS, a procedure that involves the use of a camera into the lungs to eliminate part of the pleura and lungs. This procedure can help improve breathing problems caused by the build-up of fluid in the lungs, but does not cure the disease.

Other treatment options include support services or pain management. It is crucial for those with mesothelioma to get the most information they can about the disease and how to cope with it. The more informed they are more prepared they will be to plan for a future which includes a wide range of health and wellness-related activities.