Mesothelioma Advice

A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of getting a disease. The main risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Prolonged exposure to asbestos through a job, or during a building demolition or remodel, significantly increases your chances of getting asbestos cancer. Asbestos exposure is reported in over 90% of all mesothelioma cases.

Asbestos was widely used in a multitude of commercial products, including:

• Insulation
• Floor tiles
• Door gaskets
• Roofing
• Patching compounds
• Iron board covers
• Brake pads

The majority of mesothelioma cases are men who were exposed to asbestos in a jobsite . While the incidences of cases in men are declining slightly, the incidences in women have remained steady. This would suggest that women are in contact with asbestos through their spouses work clothing, or from products in the home, rather than directly from time spent in a work place.

Occupations at risk for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma include:

• Construction Workers
• Auto mechanics
• Building engineers
• Railroad workers
• Shipyard employees
• Navy sailors
• HVAC workers

Additionally, studies have shown that family members of people exposed to asbestos are also at risk. Asbestos fibers can be carried home on clothing, putting the family at risk of breathing in and coming into contact with the fibers.

Examples of tests on fluid and tissue samples include:

• Removal of fluid in the chest, abdomen, or heart areas
• Thoracoscopy – inserting a video camera in the chest to take a tissue biopsy or fluid
• Laparoscopy – inserting a video camera in the abdomen to take a tissue biopsy or fluid
• Thoracotomy – surgery to remove a larger tumor sample from the chest cavity
• Laparotomy – surgery to remove a larger tumor sample, or the entire tumor, from the abdomen
• Bronchoscopy – inserting a lighted tube to determine if there are masses in the bronchial airway. Small samples of tissue can be taken for testing.
• Mediastinoscopy – inserting a lighted tube under the sternum into the chest to view the lymph nodes and take samples for testing.

Mesothelioma often looks like other types of cancer, making it difficult to diagnose without special tests. One test, an immunohistochemistry, looks for different proteins on the cell surface and can determine if the cancer is lung cancer or mesothelioma.

DNA Microarray analysis is a newer test that looks at genes in the cancers which is helpful in diagnosing mesothelioma because it has a different gene pattern than other cancer types.

Another tool used to diagnose mesothelioma is an electron microscope. Because it can magnify samples more than 100 times greater than a light microscope, the distinguishing part of cancer cells can be seen to determine other cancer types from mesothelioma.

Survival of mesothelioma requires diligence on both the part of the patient and the doctor. Make sure your doctor knows if you worked in a profession where asbestos was regularly used, get checkups regularly, and know the risk factors and symptoms for mesothelioma

http://www.mesothelioma.net.

The best way to ascertain appropriate treatment is through quick diagnosis of the disease. Because of the long latency period and the symptoms common to other diseases, it can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma. Survival time relies on rapid diagnosis and immediate treatment, so make sure your doctor knows if you have been exposed to asbestos, the primary cause of mesothelioma.

Before a treatment plan can be put in place, an evaluation of your mesothelioma symptoms and a complete physical examination should occur. This examination may include:

• X-rays of the chest or abdomen
• Lung function tests
• CT (CAT) scan
• PET scan
• MRI
• Medical history
• Information regarding asbestos exposure

A blood test may be used to determine if a protein called osteopontin is elevated. This test is more often used during your mesothelioma treatment plan to determine progress.

Fluid and tissue samples are used to determine if cancer cells are present. If so, special tests are needed to diagnose the asbestos cancer as mesothelioma. Stages of tests are required to give your doctor the best information on your mesothelioma diagnosis and survival prognosis.

http://www.mesothelioma.net

The primary source of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. If you have been exposed to asbestos, please consult with your doctor immediately. Mesothelioma symptoms are very common and typical to other diseases, such as pneumonia, flu or stomach viruses. Therefore, doctors can misdiagnose mesothelioma for another illness. This delay in appropriate diagnosis costs the patient precious time.

Because of the long latency period of 20 to 40 years, mesothelioma is often diagnosed in the late stages of the disease. This, coupled with potential misdiagnosis of the disease, creates a serious situation for the patient. It is important to have regular check-ups by a doctor who knows your history. Early diagnosis of any disease, particularly asbestos cancers such as mesothelioma, will have a direct impact on the quality and effectiveness of treatment.

There are three types of mesothelioma: pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma. The symptoms are ordinary but important to know, particularly if you have been exposed to asbestos.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Coughing
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss
• Facial swelling
• Severe breathing difficulties
• Rasping voice
• Coughing up blood
• Back pain
• Fluid build up between the chest wall and lungs (known as pleural effusion)
• Night sweats