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district of columbia asbestos lawyer , a cancerous tumor that is caused by asbestos exposure is a serious illness. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause pleural tumors, and swallowing asbestos can cause peritoneal cancer. Symptoms may mimic symptoms of less serious illnesses. They may take between 10 and 50 years before they appear. The symptoms include breathlessness, abdominal pain and chest pain. Risk Factors Asbestos fibres can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in linings of the chest cavity or lungs. Mesothelioma may also grow in the peritoneum (the membrane surrounding the heart) or in the pericardium. It takes between 20-50 years for the cancer to grow and manifest symptoms that can be confused with flu-like illnesses. Mesothelioma is most common in older people and more prevalent in males than females. The biggest risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, a natural mineral that is made up of tiny fibres, was employed as a building material, for example, in ceilings and walls. It is impervious to fire and heat. It was also used extensively in the manufacture of goods like pipes, insulations, shingles, and cement. Workers in industries where asbestos was prevalent, such as mining, construction or shipbuilding, are at high risk of developing mesothelioma. Even those who have had a second exposure to asbestos like family members who brought home asbestos-covered clothing and skin are at risk. A small portion of mesothelioma patients are linked to a mutation in the gene called BAP1. This genetic change can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma among those who have been exposed to asbestos. Age is another important risk factor for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most often found in those who are over 45 and two-thirds of those diagnosed are aged 65 or older. This is due to the prolonged duration of exposure to asbestos. However, it could also be that older people are more likely to develop the disease due to the long exposure to asbestos. White males are more likely to develop mesothelioma more than any other race or gender. This is because historically more white men have worked in jobs that put them at higher risk of asbestos than other groups. Additionally, mesothelioma is most often seen in those who were exposed to asbestos before more stringent regulations were put in the 1980s. Symptoms Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that develops in the protective linings around many organs of the body. The cancerous tumors that develop within the tissue may damage them and cause severe pain. The malignancy may spread to other parts through the lymphatic or bloodstream system. Mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to other diseases, like pneumonia or the flu. It could take up to 50 years after asbestos exposure before they show symptoms. This delay in time makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma early. Additionally, the symptoms could be misinterpreted as other diseases. The majority of malignant tumors originate in the chest cavity or lungs (pleura). Mesothelioma may also develop in the linings that surround the heart and abdomen. In rare instances the disease can affect the lining of the testes or the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). Asbestos is a collection of minerals which form long, thin fibers. The fibers are so strong that they are unable to be broken by chemicals, water or bacteria. They were used extensively in a range of construction and household products before scientists realised how hazardous they were to people's lives. The majority of mesothelioma cases were triggered due to exposure to asbestos at workplace or at home. The majority of patients exposed were employed by the US Navy, Air Force, Shipbuilding Industry, or Construction. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Veterans make up about 30% of all cases. If mesothelioma begins to develop doctors can detect it by performing medical tests and imaging scans. This includes X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans. The doctor can also collect a small sample of the tissue and send it to a laboratory for analysis. The results will help doctors determine the mesothelioma type and stage of the disease which can affect the prognosis as well as treatment options. The majority of mesothelioma types are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Between 10% and 15% of cases are biphasic, or mixed. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally less aggressive and has the highest survival rates. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma can be more difficult to identify and has a lower prognosis. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to detect particularly in its early stages. The first step is for patients to see their primary care doctor with any symptoms, such as coughing or chest pains. The doctor will use a stethoscope listen to the patient's breathing and take note of their health and work history. This includes any asbestos exposure history, which is crucial for diagnosing mesothelioma. Doctors must rule out other diseases before they can make a diagnosis because mesothelioma symptoms are like those of other diseases. Cancer can spread to the lung tissue of a patient through other organs like the abdomen or chest. Asbestos-related victims are more prone to lung problems, including mesothelioma and pneumonia. symptoms can be confused with other respiratory ailments. Imaging tests, blood tests and biopsy are all used to detect mesothelioma. These tests will help doctors locate the area of the cancer, which is most typically in the lungs, but may also be located in the stomach or the testicles. The tests can help doctors determine how far cancer has spread throughout the body. A CT scan or MRI may reveal signs of mesothelioma. This includes calcium deposits (also known as plaque) in the pleura and an accumulation of lung tissue' and chest wall's walls. These tests can also show whether a person has more lung capacity on one side or the other. In many instances biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing a small amount of tissue and analyzing it in the lab for mesothelioma-related cells. Some patients may need additional tests, like FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) which can help doctors see how the tumor is affecting blood supply to the lungs. mediastinoscopy, which enables doctors to look at and sample lymph nodes that are located in the center of the chest and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) which uses sound waves to examine the lungs and mesothelium. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is currently being treated by medical professionals. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer should carefully weigh their options to find the best treatment 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 show up until a few decades after exposure to asbestos. It is essential that those who have been exposed to asbestos be checked if they experience unusual symptoms. A doctor will review your medical history to determine if you have mesothelioma risk. This includes how long and intensely you were exposed to asbestos. A doctor may also conduct an examination to look for signs of mesothelioma such as fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of cells that grow in the mesothelium as well as the location of those cells. The most common type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. It makes up between 60 and 80% of mesothelioma cases. Other types of mesothelioma are biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma which represent about 10% to 15% of mesothelioma cases. There are a myriad of treatment options for patients with mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of the disease. In some cases, the mesothelioma may be treated with radiation or chemotherapy. When treating mesothelioma, doctors utilize powerful cancer-fighting drugs or equipment to kill tumors. This decreases the likelihood of mesothelioma returning. Other mesothelioma types can be treated through surgery, which removes parts of the lining of the affected organ. This can also ease breathing difficulties and other symptoms. If a person has pleural mesothelioma, their doctor may perform VATS, a procedure which uses a camera inserted into the lungs to remove part of the pleura and lungs. This procedure can alleviate breathing problems caused by the build-up of fluid in the lungs, but does not cure the condition. Other treatment options could include support and management of pain. It is important for people who suffer from mesothelioma, to gather as much information as they can about the disease and how to manage it. The more informed they are and the more they are able to plan for a future that includes a variety of health and wellness-related activities.