Mesothelioma Causes and TreatmentsThe doctors can treat mesothelioma using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. These treatments can reduce symptoms and prolong survival.Pleurodesis is a procedure that doctors use to prevent fluid from accumulating around the lung. It doesn't cure cancer but may relieve discomfort and allow people to breathe more easily.Exposure to workplaceThe exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals containing microscopic fibres which were once extensively used in construction is the most frequent reason. Exposure to asbestos can occur at work but also at home, or when repairing or moving older structures. It takes years for mesothelioma to grow, and it could be difficult to identify when symptoms first appear at the end of the process.Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the linings of organs called mesothelium. There are two types of mesothelioma: pleural mesotheliom that develops in the lungs and peritoneal peritoneal peritoneal the peritoneal, peritoneal, and peritoneal. Some mesothelioma cases occur in the membrane surrounding the heart or the testes.The occupational mesothelioma (OM) is the most common type of mesothelioma. Most common in shipbuilding, manufacturing and the construction industry. Veterans of the United States Armed Forces are at risk of mesothelioma due to their asbestos exposure.Cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms can include a persistent cough, painful as well as chest pain and difficulty breathing. X-rays, CT scans, and blood tests are used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests are used to detect mesothelin-related protein (SMRP) which is released by mesothelioma cells. It can assist doctors make a diagnosis.Researchers are working on developing ways to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages, which makes it easier to treat. These include a particular type of PET scan that utilizes radioactive tracer to determine how mesothelioma is spreading and how quickly it is growing.If a patient shows signs of Mesothelioma, they should immediately consult their GP or a specialist in the hospital. They will refer the patient for further tests in order to determine if mesothelioma is present and determine the extent to which it has spread. These tests may include chest X rays, CT scanners, MRIs and ultrasounds. Blood tests can be used to detect soluble mesothelin protein which is a chemical released by mesothelioma cancer cells that are dying. This chemical is found in blood of mesothelioma patients, which can help doctors make a diagnosis.GeneticsMany people with mesothelioma are related to asbestos or cancer. It is possible that mesothelioma is caused by genetic mutations passed down from generation to generation. It is unclear what triggers the initial mutations that cause mesothelioma. Researchers are examining whether the current mutations in people's DNA are triggered by exposure to asbestos or by other factors.Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, affects the cells that comprise mesothelium. The mesothelium, which is a layer of tissue, surrounds and protects various organs of the internal system, including the heart and lungs. It also covers the stomach and abdomen. Mesothelioma typically occurs in the Pleura, an elastomer that covers the lungs and chest cavity, or the peritoneum, an organelle that protects abdominal organs. Mesothelioma may also develop in the lining surrounding the testicles, called the tunica vaginalis, or the sac that surrounds the heart and lungs (pericardium).A genetic mutation is an alteration to the normal function of the gene. The mutation could stop the gene from functioning or cause it to operate excessively. If a person is carrying one working copy of a gene and one copy that is mutated and they have a dominant mutation. If they have two copies of the gene that has been mutated, they are said to have a recessive mutation.Most mesothelioma patients have a mix of environmental and genetic factors. However, some patients with mesothelioma have no known risk factors, and they develop the cancer. In these cases, the cancer could be caused by inherited genetic mutations that are triggered by asbestos exposure or other environmental triggers.Research suggests that mesothelioma gene can be passed through parents to their children. is mesothelioma always caused by asbestos is called familial mesothelioma or inherited mesothelioma.Scientists have discovered that the BRCA-associated proteins 1 (BAP1) and the Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) genes are often mutations in mesothelioma patients. When these genes work correctly, they block cancer cell growth. But if they are mutated, cancer cells can expand faster and multiply faster than normal cells. Additionally a gene called large tumor suppressor homolog 2 (LATS2) is often reduced or altered in mesothelioma patients.Environmental exposureAsbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma and accounts for more than 80 percent of all cases. Exposure can happen in various ways. Many people who get mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos. Others get it through exposure to asbestos by others, or living in a home that contains the carcinogen.Asbestos is made up of a collection of minerals that produce thin, strong fibres. It is used in a variety of products because it is fire-resistant and extremely robust. Prior to its ban in the US the use of asbestos was in construction and insulation. It was also widely used by the military, specifically in shipbuilding, as well as other types of blue-collar occupations. The majority of mesothelioma and particularly pleural mesothelioma cases are due to occupational exposure. In a few cases, asbestos deposits found in the ground can cause mesothelioma. It can also occur because of secondhand exposure to asbestos, for example, breathing in particles that have been absorbed into hair or clothing.It could take between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma develop and it is therefore important to know your history of exposure. Even if asbestos was only used once, it is important to speak to your doctor about the possibility of mesothelioma.Although the majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos, researchers have found some other factors that increase a person's chance of developing it. One of these is the presence of a virus referred to as SV40 (simianvirus 40) in your system. This virus is associated with mesothelioma since it usually occurs around the time that mesothelioma begins to develop.Other risk factors include having a parent who has worked with asbestos. These risk factors aren't as well-studied, however, as exposure to asbestos. Even if you're suffering from several of these factors but they do not mean you'll develop mesothelioma. Only about half of the people diagnosed with mesothelioma have a known risk factor. Knowing the risks can enable you to make better choices and stay safe. It's recommended to speak with your physician regarding mesothelioma as well as other possible health issues.SmokingSmoking can lead to a variety of health problems, including bronchitis and lung cancer. It can also increase the chance of mesothelioma developing, particularly for those who have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos fibers can cause lung damage and make it difficult for you to breathe.Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is found in the tissues of the body's inner organs. It may begin in the tissue layers that surround the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or in the tissue lining the chest wall or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma).Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma-related cause, and this is typically occupational exposure. Asbestos is made up of fibrous minerals which occur naturally. They were used in many industrial, commercial, and military applications.Asbestos was found to have properties that were resistant to fire. It became a sought-after building material and is still used today in ships, automobiles, and in buildings. Asbestos was also used for brakes and shingles, as well as flooring and other household items. Asbestos can be classified into several subgroups based on the kind of fibres they have: chrysotile and amphibole have straight fibres; and amosite and crocidolite are curly fibres.People who are exposed to asbestos may develop mesothelioma because the fibres get into the lungs and be lodged in the pleura. This causes genetic mutations that cause cancer. Mesothelioma can be spread through asbestos fibres carried home in clothing. Family members could breathe them in.Mesothelioma signs are typically not obvious until the disease is at an advanced stage. At this stage, mesothelioma is more likely to cause chronic cough or abdominal pain, as well as difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include hoarseness and weight loss.After mesothelioma has been diagnosed, smoking is an important risk factor. Smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to the lungs, which can make breathing difficult and slow down the process of healing. It can also trigger respiratory disorders such as COPD, which causes wheezing, breathlessness and chest tightness.