MesotheliomaMesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissues around and protecting organs within the body. The disease typically develops in the lining of the chest cavity, abdomen and the heart.The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the kind and the location. However, patients often experience the same general symptoms.Doctors diagnose this disease using tests such as a CT or MRI. They also employ mesothelioma staining to assess the extent of the cancer.AsbestosMesothelioma is a cancerous tumor of the tissues that line a variety of internal organs is a rare illness. Exposure to asbestos is the main risk factor of mesothelioma. Specifically, workers in industries that employ asbestos (such as construction, insulation, shipbuilding, and manufacturing) are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma. In addition spouses and children of asbestos workers are also at a higher risk.Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were once popular in the building industry due to their fire-repellant, corrosion-resistant and insulating properties. These materials are not without their disadvantages. They break down into airborne fibres which can cause serious health issues such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. It can take anywhere from 15 to 30 years for symptoms to develop after the initial exposure to asbestos.Inhaling asbestos fibers can get trapped in the lungs for years leading to inflammation, and triggering genetic changes that could lead to mesothelioma. In addition, mesothelioma could affect the heart as well as the gastrointestinal tract, as well as other parts of the body.The most commonly encountered mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma of the pleural region, which develops in the lining surrounding the lungs and chest cavity. In some instances mesothelioma might develop in the lining around the lungs and chest cavity. This is called peritoneal peritoneal.Patients suffering from pleural cancer can display a variety of symptoms including weight loss, difficulty breathing, constant coughing and fever. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by taking an extract of the affected area via biopsy. The biopsy is then examined to look for mesothelioma cells.If diagnosed, doctors will recommend treatments to reduce symptoms and slow the growth of mesothelioma. Some options include chemotherapy, surgery radiation, and immunotherapy.A doctor can prescribe steroids to decrease swelling of the lungs. Pleurodesis is a procedure that can be done to stop the flow of fluid back into the lungs. Alternatively, a tube inside the chest can drain fluid on a regular basis at home. However, treatment options for mesothelioma are different based on the stage of the disease.Chronological RiskMesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs and reproductive organs. It is most commonly located in the pleura, which is the lung lining and chest wall. It can also form in the pericardium, a sac which surrounds the heart, or the tunica vulginalis membrane that forms inside the womb of women.There are three types of mesothelioma, malignant, benign and sarcomatoid. The type of mesothelioma determines how the cancer will respond to treatment and what the prognosis will be.Cancer can also be classified based on its stage. This is the degree of the cancer's spread from its initial location. A lower staging number indicates an encapsulated tumor and a better chance of survival.Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by examining the patient's symptoms and taking a medical history. They may also employ an imaging tests like an X ray or CT scan or biopsy under a microscope to study tissue.Asbestos is the most significant risk factor, but it's not the only one. The general health of an individual can also be a determining aspect, particularly when they have other health issues such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. In general, patients who are younger and those who are not smokers have better odds of survival than those who have other health issues or smokers.When what is mesothelioma cancer has been diagnosed and treated, the focus is more on reducing the symptoms than on curing cancer. For example, doctors might drain fluid from the lungs to improve breathing, or administer strong painkillers. Patients can also receive palliative treatment such as nutrition therapy, stress reduction methods and other treatments that can make them feel better.Researchers are working on ways to improve the mesothelioma diagnosis so that the cancer can be treated at an earlier stages. One approach is to test the levels in blood of a biomarker produced by mesothelioma cell. The biomarker is usually elevated for years before symptoms begin to manifest and mesothelioma diagnosis is established. The goal is to create an instrument that can detect this marker in the bloodstream and identify mesothelioma's presence prior to when symptoms begin to show.Environmental ExposureThe primary mesothelioma-related risk is exposure to asbestos, a group of fibrous materials which were previously extensively employed in building materials. These tiny particles can harm the lungs over time. Symptoms may not appear for 20 years. While mesothelioma can be caused by other substances such as silica or erionite in certain instances but the majority of cases are linked to asbestos.Mesothelioma develops due to the presence of cells in the mesothelium. This membrane line the cavities of the body including the chest cavity and the abdomen. Cancer can be malignant and it can spread to other parts of the body, or benign. It is divided into epithelial (also called mixed), sarcomatoid, as well as biphasic types.People who have been exposed to asbestos are at the risk of developing mesothelioma within the lung tissue that is the lung's outer layer, also known as the pleura. The abdominal cavity as well as the pericardium (the tissue that surrounds the heart) are other areas where mesothelioma could develop.In many studies that compared the rates of mesothelioma in families of workers women were found to be more at risk. This is believed to be due to the different patterns of asbestos exposure. Males are more likely than females to work in fields that have been exposed to asbestos, while females can get their exposure more generally from household sources.In one study, men living in Wittenoom in Western Australia, where an asbestos mine was located between 1943 and 1957, and from 1958 until 1967, had a five to nine times higher incidence of mesothelioma than females. This pattern is similar to the findings of other population studies of mesothelioma.Mesothelioma may be diagnosed when a patient visits an ophthalmologist for respiratory issues which don't get better after treatment. The doctor will conduct an examination of the medical history to determine whether there are any risk factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma. The doctor will refer the patient to a specialist for tests to determine the disease and help treat it.GeneticsIn some cases the disease may develop in a member of the same family. Genetics can impact the probability of exposure to asbestos. Scientists continue to research asbestos-related cancers' genetics and how they are connected to genes that are inherited.Mesothelioma is a rare disease, and it can be difficult for doctors to identify it accurately. The symptoms vary based on the location of the tumors, their cell type, and the extent to which mesothelioma has spread. Mesothelioma patients should undergo physical examinations, imaging tests such as chest X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans, and other diagnostic procedures, such as the use of a biopsy to establish a diagnosis.During a biopsy doctors will remove a tiny piece of tissue from the area affected and examine it under a microscope to see if mesothelioma cells are present. The type of mesothelioma a patient is diagnosed with determines the treatment options and prognosis. The four stages of malignant mesothelioma depend on the extent of cancer's spread and the type cells involved.The most common mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma, which is found in the lining of the lungs. There is also peritoneal msothelioma that develops in the protective lining on the abdomen. Other less frequent kinds include pericardial and testicular mesothelioma. The former forms in the sac that surrounds the heart.Following diagnosis, the main goal of mesothelioma treatment is to control symptoms and prolong life as much as you can. This is known as palliative treatment. For instance, mesothelioma patients are able to receive help with breathing difficulties from having fluid drained from their lungs or chest wall and can also receive medication to ease pain.Patients with mesothelioma should find a medical professional who specializes in asbestos diseases. The specialist can help mesothelioma patients navigate the treatment process and make informed decisions about their care. Patients should also inquire about the stage of their mesothelioma and whether it has spread. Mesothelioma stage and metastasis affect survival rates. Download your free mesothelioma guide to find out more about survival rates and treatment options. The book provides information on the different types of cancer, their staging and life expectation.