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Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Related Cancers People who have a long exposure to asbestos are at risk of developing various kinds of cancers, including mesothelioma. These cancers have a latency period of several decades, which means symptoms may not appear until decades after exposure. The risk of developing pleural or mesothelioma peritoneal diminishes with time since first exposure. The evidence is built on six cohort studies of occupational exposure and two residential cohorts that have long-term following. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma, or cancer of the inner organs' linings such as the lungs (pleural) or abdomen (peritoneal) and heart (pericardial), is a rare and invasive disease. It's a rare and deadly disease that most often starts in the chest's lining cavity, but it could be found in the lining of the stomach or other parts of the body. Asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma. The cancer usually doesn't show up until decades after exposure. The people who are exposed asbestos in the workplace are at an increased risk of developing cancer than others. Asbestos fibers can be swallowed or inhaled and stick to the organ lining. The fibers can cause irritation to the lining and cause abnormal cells to multiply, leading to tumors. The signs usually don't show until a person has developed mesothelioma with advanced stage. Exposure to asbestos most often occurs in industrial jobs where workers handled the substance or were in close proximity to it. Asbestos is used in a variety of trades, including shipbuilding, construction, and auto repair. Veterans who were in the military are particularly at danger of mesothelioma since asbestos was used extensively on ships and bases. 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 look for the tumors and see if they have expanded. They can also inquire about the patient's past history of asbestos exposure and perform an examination. Some cases of mesothelioma can be related to genetic changes. Thus, certain patients might benefit from genetic tests. Risk Factors The most significant mesothelioma-related risk is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral made by tiny fibers which are strong and resistant to heat. Asbestos is used in many manufacturing and construction products, including insulation, brakes and shingles. When asbestos is disturbed it produces dust that can be inhaled or swallowed. In north carolina asbestos attorneys , this may cause irritation of the mesothelium which could eventually lead to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in people who have had a history of occupational exposure to asbestos. This includes those who worked in industries such as mining, shipbuilding and construction and auto repair. Veterans of the military are also at high risk, as many branches of the military utilized asbestos-based materials. Other factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma is an asbestos-related family history exposure as well as prior radiation therapy to the chest. The type of mesothelioma detected has a significant impact on risk. Pleural mesothelioma, the most frequent type and usually affects the lungs. Other forms of mesothelioma are testicular, pericardial and peritoneal. In general mesothelioma is a cancer that increases with the third to fourth power of latency – which is the length of time it takes a person to get diagnosed. However, the rate of pleural mesothelioma has an apparent flattening after approximately 40 years of exposure. Both pericardial and peritoneal mesothelioma exhibit the same pattern. People who have a para-occupational exposure to asbestos – such as living near to an asbestos plant or consuming products from the household that are contaminated are also at higher risk of developing mesothelioma. In an investigation of six cities in the United States, those who were exposed to asbestos in this way had a higher risk of mesothelioma than people who only had occupational exposure. Signs and symptoms The linings of internal organs are affected by mesothelioma maligna. Most commonly, it occurs in the linings of the lungs and abdomen. Mesothelioma can also occur in the lining around the testicles or heart. It is a rare form of cancer, and the majority of people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma were employed in jobs which exposed them to asbestos. It can take a long time for symptoms of mesothelioma to develop, and the disease is not curable. Asbestos is a class of minerals with tiny, microscopic fibers that resist heat, chemicals, and fire. It was previously widely used in shipbuilding, construction manufacturing, and other industries. Exposure to asbestos could cause mesothelioma, because the fibers can get stuck in the tissues that line and protect organs. This causes irritation and damages cells. This can cause tumors to start growing and eventually becoming cancerous. The most prevalent mesothelioma type is found in the wall (pleura) of the lung. It can also start in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) or within the membrane that surrounds the testicles or heart. Mesothelioma may also expand to lymph nodes and cause them to swell. Most people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma are those who have many years of exposure to asbestos and are suffering from other ailments such as chronic lung disease. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other illnesses and it is therefore important to consult a doctor when you are experiencing persisting or alarming signs and symptoms. Doctors will inquire about your past asbestos exposure and may perform physical examination. They may also order scans of your body or blood tests of your abdomen and chest. These tests can detect any thickening or fluid between the lungs and chest wall. Diagnosis When asbestos fibers become stuck to the body, they could cause damage and may develop into cancerous tumors. Asbestos-related tumors can grow in a variety of organs and tissues. Each type of cancer is diagnosed with a different test. Mesothelioma develops in the tissues of the chest cavity and the lungs (pleura) as well as the stomach membranes (peritoneum) or around the heart and reproductive organs. To diagnose mesothelioma, a patient must first consult with their physician about the history of asbestos exposure they've had and any symptoms they may be experiencing. Doctors will also conduct a physical examination and order tests to assess the health of the lung. X-rays and CT scans allow doctors to gain a better understanding of the affected area. In certain instances doctors may perform a pleural fluid test to determine whether mesothelioma is the cause of the fluid buildup. Pleural effusions could be an indication of pleural, peritoneal or mixed mesothelioma. The mesothelioma symptoms are frequently not properly diagnosed, because they are similar to the symptoms of other diseases. The most common symptoms are difficulty breathing and chest pain. Pleural mesothelioma may also cause chest tightness, cough and fatigue. Peritoneal mesothelioma may cause abdominal pain, swelling and distension. Testicular mesothelioma may manifest as a swollen or itchy lump in the testicles. Researchers are studying certain proteins in the blood in hopes of developing an approach to detect mesothelioma before it becomes a problem. They are also researching various other tests and procedures that could improve the accuracy of diagnosis. They are looking at mesothelioma imaging and MRIs. They are also researching genetic mutations, and how to determine if a person is at risk for mesothelioma by looking at their family background. Treatment Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Anyone who has worked with asbestos in the past, specifically for prolonged periods of time or in high-risk jobs such as shipbuilding, electrical work military service and auto repair are at a higher risk. Exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma when fibers get stuck in tissue that lines and protects vital organs. The fibers cause DNA damage and irritation to the mesothelium, which leads to cancerous cell growth. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't manifest until decades after exposure. The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on the type of cancer and its where it is located in the body. Most mesothelioma cases involve 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 stage I through IV with stages I and II being the earliest stages and the most manageable. Stage III and stage IV are the more advanced stages of cancer, and are more difficult to treat. However there are still many options for treatment. Pleural mesothelioma, the most frequent type of cancer and affects the lining of the lungs and chest wall as well as the abdomen. The majority of cases of pleural msothelioma are the result of asbestos exposure during work. This is most likely because of breathing in airborne asbestos particles or ingesting the cancerous substance through the food chain. Other risk factors are a genetic mutation in the family, and prior treatment with radiation for a different disease. It is essential to speak with a doctor if you have symptoms of mesothelioma, and have been exposed to asbestos. You may also benefit from genetic counseling. In certain instances mesothelioma specialists can help you file a lawsuit against companies who have knowingly used asbestos in their everyday products.