Mesothelioma Causes and TreatmentsDoctors may treat mesothelioma with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. These treatment options can reduce the symptoms and extend the duration of the life expectancy.Pleurodesis is a procedure used by doctors to stop fluid from building up around the lungs. The treatment won't cure cancer, but it may alleviate the pain and improve breathing.Workplace exposureMesothelioma is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of minerals that have tiny microscopic fibres that were previously widely used in the construction industry. The exposure is usually at work, but it can also happen at home or while moving or repairing older buildings. Mesothelioma can grow over several years, and the symptoms may not be evident until later in the course of the disease.The linings that surround organs are called mesothelium. There are two primary types of mesothelioma: pleural mesotheliom which is found in the lung; and peritoneal mysothelioma that is usually found in the abdomen. Some mesothelioma cases develop in the membrane surrounding the heart or the testes.The most commonly used form of mesothelioma, occupational mesothelioma, is the most common. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma in shipbuilding, manufacturing, and the construction industry. Veterans of the military, particularly are at a high risk for mesothelioma because of their exposure to asbestos within the United States Armed Forces.Cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms include an incessant cough, chest pain, and trouble breathing. X-rays, CT scans, and blood tests are used to detect mesothelioma. Blood tests can reveal an SMRP-like substance (mesothelin related protein) which is released from mesothelioma tumor cells. This substance can assist doctors in making an accurate diagnosis.Researchers are working on ways to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages, when it is easier to treat. These include a special kind of PET scan that utilizes radioactive tracer to determine how mesothelioma is spreading and how fast it is growing.If a person has any symptoms of mesothelioma, they should consult their GP or a hospital specialist immediately. They will refer the patient for additional tests to determine if mesothelioma is present and determine the extent to which it has taken over. These tests could include chest X rays, CT scanners, MRIs and ultrasounds. They can also involve blood tests to test for the presence of a chemical known as mesothelin-related soluble protein, which is released by mesothelioma cells when they die. This chemical can be detected in the blood of patients with mesothelioma and may help doctors to determine if they are suffering from.GeneticsMany mesothelioma patients are afflicted with asbestos or cancer. It is possible that mesothelioma can be caused by genetic mutations. It is not known what causes the initial mutations that cause mesothelioma. Researchers are investigating if any mutations that have been observed in the DNA of individuals are caused by exposure to asbestos or other triggers.Mesothelioma is an uncommon type of cancer that affects cells that comprise the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a layer of tissue that covers and protects various organs in the body, including the stomach, lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelioma is most often found in the Pleura, which is a membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity or the peritoneum, an organelle that protects the abdominal organs. Mesothelioma can also be found in the lining of testicles (tunica vaginalis) or in the sac that covers the lungs and the heart (pericardium).A genetic mutation is a change to the normal function of the gene. The mutation could stop the gene from working or cause it to operate excessively. When a person has one working copy of a gene, and one copy that is mutated, they have a dominant mutation. If they have two copies of the mutated gene it is believed that they have recessive mutation.The majority of mesothelioma patients suffer from a mix of environmental and genetic factors. Some mesothelioma patients have no known risk factor but develop cancer. In these cases the cancer is likely to be caused by genetic mutations that are brought on by asbestos exposure or other environmental triggers.Research suggests that mesothelioma gene can be passed down from parents to their children. This is called mesothelioma that is inherited or familial.Researchers have discovered that the BRCA-associated proteins 1 (BAP1) and the Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) genes are frequently affected in patients with mesothelioma. If these genes function correctly, they block cancer cell growth. The mutations can cause cancer cells to multiply and grow faster than normal cells. A gene called large tumour suppressor homolog 2, or LATS2, is commonly shortened in mesothelioma.Environmental exposureAsbestos exposure is a major cause of mesothelioma and accounts for more than 80 percent of all cases. Exposure can occur in various ways. Many people who develop mesothelioma are those who been exposed to asbestos, but other people get it from exposure to asbestos through secondhand exposure or living in homes with asbestos carcinogen.Asbestos is made up of a collection of minerals that make thin fibrous fibres. It is used in many different products because of its fire resistance and long-lasting. Asbestos was commonly used in insulation, construction, and other products until it was banned in the United States. The military also used asbestos extensively, especially for blue-collar work and shipbuilding. The majority of mesothelioma and particularly pleural mesothelioma cases are the result of occupational exposure. In some instances, mesothelioma develops as an outcome of exposure to natural asbestos deposits in the soil. It can also occur because of exposure to secondhand sources to asbestos, for example, breathing in asbestos particles that have gotten on clothing or hair.It can take anywhere from 20 to 60 years for mesothelioma develop and it is therefore important to know your history of exposure. Even if malignant mesothelioma causes was only used once, it is important to speak to your doctor about the dangers of mesothelioma.Researchers have discovered that although asbestos is the most prevalent mesothelioma-related cause but there are other factors which could increase the risk. One of these is the presence of a virus referred to as SV40 (simianvirus 40) in your system. This virus is linked to mesothelioma because it happens frequently at the exact time mesothelioma starts to grow.Other risk factors could include having a family member who worked with asbestos or certain lung cancers and having rheumatoid arthritis. These factors are not as well-established, however, as exposure to asbestos. Even if you possess several of these risk factors, it does not mean that you will develop mesothelioma. About half of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are believed to have a risk factor. Knowing the risks can help you stay safe and make healthy choices in your life. It's recommended to speak with your physician regarding mesothelioma as well as other possible health issues.SmokingSmoking can trigger a myriad of health issues, including lung cancer, bronchitis and asthma. Smoking also increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. This is especially relevant for people who have been exposed asbestos. This is because asbestos fibres can stick to the lungs and cause damage, as well as making it difficult for people to breathe.Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that grows in the interior lining of the body's internal organs. It may start in the tissue surrounding the lungs (pleural msothelioma) or in the linings of the chest and abdomen (peritoneal Msothelioma).Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma-related cause, and this is usually occupational exposure. Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that were previously used in a variety of commercial, industrial and military applications.Asbestos was discovered to have fire-resistant properties. It became a sought-after building material and is still used today in ships, automobiles, and buildings. It was also used for fireproof insulation and in shingles, brakes and flooring and other household products. Asbestos is divided into subgroups based upon the type of fibre: chrysotile, amphibole, and crocidolite have straight fibres while amosite and crocidolite are curly fibers.Mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The asbestos fibres can travel into the lungs, and then lodge in the pleura. This triggers genetic mutations which can cause cancer. Mesothelioma may also be transmitted when asbestos fibres travel into the home on clothing, where they may be inhaled by family members.The symptoms of mesothelioma not typically evident until the disease has advanced to an advanced stage. At this point mesothelioma symptoms are more likely to include a persistent cough and chest pain, abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include hoarseness, and weight loss.Smoking cigarettes can be an risk factor after mesothelioma is diagnosed. It can slow the recovery process and make it difficult to breathe as it can cause irritation to the lungs. It can also lead to respiratory problems such as COPD, which causes wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.