0 Mesothelioma Risk Factors

By Yukiko | At 02.28 | Label : mesothelioma , Mesothelioma Risk Factors | 0 Comments

Mesothelioma Risk Factors. There are several risk factors that increase the likelihood that a person will develop mesothelioma. The primary risk factor is asbestos exposure. Exposure to this very harmful substance can significantly enhance the chances of contracting the disease. While smoking does not have a direct causal relationship with mesothelioma, it is a significant compounding factor that increases the likelihood of developing the disease. Other less common secondary factors include exposure to radiation, zeolite, simian virus 40 (SV40), and erionite. Each of these risk factors is discussed in more detail below.

Exposure to Asbestos 

Exposure to asbestos is the leading risk factor associated with mesothelioma. Asbestos is an insulating material comprised of magnesium-silicate mineral fibers. It was favored by builders and contractors for many years for its low heat conductivity and resistance to melting and burning. Since researchers have identified more and more links between mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos, the material is now less widely used. Prior to this discovery, however, millions of Americans have experienced serious exposure to this harmful substance. 

Smoking and Mesothelioma 

Smoking alone is not linked to mesothelioma, but smokers who are exposed to asbestos have a much higher chance of developing asbestos lung cancer (as much as fifty to ninety percent higher) and as much as double the risk of developing mesothelioma.

Less Common Mesothelioma Risk Factors

Radiation

Thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), a substance used in x-ray tests in the past has reported links to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. The use of Thorotrast has been discontinued for many years due to this discovery.

Erionite

Exposure Erionite is a naturally occurring mineral that possesses properties that are very similar to those of asbestos. There have been several documented cases of mesothelioma in indivuduals living near large erionite deposits. 

Simian Virus 40 (SV40) 

Some scientists have found the simian virus 40 (SV30) in mesothelioma cells from humans and have been able to create mesothelioma in animals with the virus. The relationship between this virus and mesothelioma is still unclear, however, and further research is being conducted to gain clarity on this potential link. 

Carbon Nanotubes 

Researchers continue to evaluate nanotube exposure as a possible risk factor for mesothelioma even though scientists have not expressed immediate concern. 

Zeolite 

Some mesothelioma cases in the Anatoli region within Turkey have been linked to Zeolite, a silica based mineral with chemical properties similar to asbestos found in the soil there.

0 Mesothelioma Cancer

By Yukiko | At 01.32 | Label : cancer , definition of mesothelioma , Malignant mesothelioma , mesothelioma | 0 Comments

Mesothelioma Cancer. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer affecting the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause and risk factor for mesothelioma.

Making a correct mesothelioma diagnosis is particularly difficult for doctors because the disease often presents with symptoms that mimic other common ailments. There is currently no known cure for mesothelioma, but treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy can help to improve the typical mesothelioma prognosis.

Pleural mesothelioma (affecting the lung’s protective lining in the chest cavity) represents about three-quarters of all mesothelioma incidence. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the abdominal cavity, and pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the cardiac cavity, comprise the remainder.

There are three recognized mesothelioma cell types. Between 50% and 70% of all mesotheliomas are of the epithelial variety. While prognosis is generally poor, it is considered less aggressive than sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma, which comprise the remainder of cell-type diagnoses. 

The cavities within the body encompassing the chest, abdomen, and heart are surrounded by a membrane of cells known as the mesothelium. Mesothelial cells assist in general organ functions. The mesothelium is particularly important to organs that are commonly in motion, such as expansion or contraction of the lungs, stomach, or heart. Lubrication from the mesothelial cells allows free range of motion within the body. The mesothelium of the chest, abdomen, and cardiac cavity are called the pleura, the peritoneum, and the pericardium, respectively. Each of these groupings of mesothelial cells is extremely critical to the functions of the body structures which they encompass.

Malignancies (cancerous tumors) occurring within the mesothelial membranes are known as malignant mesothelioma, or simply mesothelioma. Benign tumors of the mesothelium are known to occur, but are much more rare than malignant mesothelial tumors.

While tumors of the mesothelium were first recognized in the late 18th century, it was not until the middle of the 20th century that this particular cancer was studied and examined with more detail. It was at this time when suspicions of the cancer’s causal relationship with asbestos exposure became more substantiated. A joint research venture through the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the University of the Witswater and Johannesburg General Hospital in South Africa provided the most compelling evidence of the nexus between asbestos exposure and the development of pleural mesothelioma.

Incidence of mesothelioma is still quite rare, with only 2,500-3,000 diagnoses in the United States each year. There was a spike in reported diagnoses between 1970 and 1984, which has been attributed to the latency period between diagnosis and the height of industrial exposures, which occurred roughly 40-60 years prior to this time. While exposure was common in nearly all industries, it was particularly prevalent in the WWII-era military industrial cycle, including navy shipyards. 

Although this cancer is much more common in men over the age of 60, mesothelioma in women and children has been documented as well. Mesothelioma causes for diagnosis in women and children are mainly attributed to secondary exposure to asbestos, as it was not uncommon for men to bring asbestos back into the home on their bodies or clothing.

0 Types of Mesothelioma Cancer

By Yukiko | At 07.03 | Label : Pericardial mesothelioma , Peritoneal mesothelioma , Pleural mesothelioma , Types of Mesothelioma Cancer | 0 Comments

Mesothelioma is an aggressive malignant cancer that affects the membrane lining the lungs and stomach, malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. Although rare, mesothelioma cancer is no longer considered rare. The main causes and risk factors for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma has several types and can attack several parts of the body, among others:

1. Pleural Mesothelioma (lining of the lungs) This type is the most common type of mesothelioma occurs of all mesothelioma. Usually caused by frequent inhalation of asbestos fiber dust, which is then trapped in the pleura and cause scarring and inflammation.

2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma (lining of the abdominal cavity) The second most common type develops in the peritoneum, which is the tissue that lines the abdomen. As with pleural mesothelioma, the cause is dust and asbestos fibers are either swallowed or find its way into the digestive tract to settle and develop in the lining of the abdominal cavity.

3. Pericardial Mesothelioma (the sac that surrounds the heart) Mesothelioma is ranked third most frequently attacks the tissue that lines the heart. The cause is also asbestos, and this cancer develops from abnormal cells that have been developed in the pleura. Somehow the process, but this asbestos dust can break through into the pericardium and develop in the lining of the heart.

4. Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis (internal layer of the male sex organs)
5. Mesothelioma of the tunica serosa uteri (internal lining of the female sex organs) Both types of mesothelioma is the most rare. Although not yet sure exactly how asbestos dust can settle and attack the female and male sex organs, but some cases do show that asbestos dust into the main cause.

Hopefully this information can be useful for you. Thank you.

0 Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

By Yukiko | At 03.46 | Label : Diagnosis of Mesothelioma , mesothelioma , Pericardial mesothelioma , Peritoneal mesothelioma , Pleural mesothelioma | 0 Comments

How do medical professionals diagnose mesothelioma? If you believe that you may have mesothelioma, a qualified medical professional will use a variety of diagnostic tests and methods to confirm the presence of this disease.

The initial step that doctors take to evaluate asbestos-related diseases is to get a complete medical history to determine the severity and mesothelioma risk factors and whether there are symptoms experienced by the patient.

This interview would consider several things, where asbestos exposure occurred, the length of exposure and the number / lot inhaled asbestos. In addition, he will conduct a medical examination to look for signs and symptoms of various types of mesothelioma. For example, if a patient is suspected of having pleural mesothelioma doctor will look for fluid in the chest, peritoneal mesothelioma is often seen by the presence of fluid in the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma can be known by the presence of fluid in the heart area.

Diagnostic Tests

Scan Imaging Test diagnostic images such as x-ray, CT scan and MRI are useful in getting more information about cancer, including how far the cancer develops. Each method provides an overview of information for physicians to assist patients in making an accurate diagnosis. Chest x - rays are used to identify abnormalities in the lungs including unusual thickening, mineral deposits and fluid in the chest area. CT scans are able to provide images of the same location from different angles. MRI technology uses magnetic fields rather than x - ray to provide additional views.

• X-Ray 

X-ray is the mechanism that is used not only for the diagnosis of cancer but for many respiratory disorders are diverse, including bronchitis and pneumonia. However, given that respiratory symptoms is almost the same as the symptoms for patients with malignant mesothelioma, often x - ray chest is an imaging technique that was first used in the diagnosis of mesothelioma. X - rays are very adept at identifying the proliferation of fluid in the pleural cavity, the symptoms of mesothelioma is known as pleural effusion. If the effusion is detected in the pleural cavity, doctors often recommend to perform a surgical biopsy to test fluid malignant mesothelioma cells.

• CT-Scan 

CT Scan - Computer Tomography scans, or better known as a CT scan, is a common method used to look for tumors in the body and determine the extent of disease. Doctors will often prescribe a CT scan if a person is suspected of suffering from mesothelioma because this method is more detailed than traditional x-ray. CT scans provide cross sectional imaging of internal body structures that can be reconstructed on the computer monitor.

• MRI 

MRI - magnetic resonance Pictures, more commonly referred to as MRI is a non-invasive method used to diagnose mesothelioma in a person's body. MRI uses magnetic fields and radio frequency signals, transmits them to the computer. Traditional MRI equipment consists of a cylinder in which patient is lying down. MRI does not pose a risk to the patient, although some people argue that the enclosed space uncomfortable. These patients may request a mild sedative so as to enable them to remain still and quiet during the procedure.

• PET Scan 

PET Scan - Positron Emission Tomography, or PET scan is known as nuclear medicine diagnostic techniques. Nuclear medicine use and incorporate a small amount of radioactive material into the body (in this case, intravenously) to help doctors determine whether the body is functioning properly or not. PET scans in patients with mesothelioma is often used in conjunction with CT scans. PET scans can be very helpful in determining whether the cancer has spread beyond the point of origin.  

Biopsy

A biopsy is an important diagnostic procedure recommended by doctors for patients with signs and symptoms of mesothelioma who have a history of asbestos exposure. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is less invasive types that can be done. FNA biopsy can be performed on pleural based solid lesions, or cancer-related fluids can be extracted through a syringe and then tested for the presence of malignant cells. Having found no malignant cells, cancer specialist will determine the classification of cellular malignancy and whether the malignant cells is mesothelioma.

• Needle biopsy - considered less invasive biopsy procedures. Generally, the larger biopsy cancerous tissue is generally recommended for patients suspected of suffering from mesothelioma, such as core biopsy. This can be done as a biopsy CT - guided from the outside of the chest, or sometimes carried small lung surgery - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), where surgeons use small surgical tools with cameras and equipment biopsy to look inside the chest along the surface of the pleura (pleuroscopy) with a minimally invasive approach. It is often helpful and necessary for a surgeon to perform the operation and direct thoracoscopic biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of nodules.

• Surgical biopsy - a surgical biopsy is a procedure that is much broader than the biopsy needle. However, this procedure is sometimes necessary to make a definite diagnosis of mesothelioma. Surgical biopsy can be very useful if the diagnosis has been established. Once the cancer is effectively staged, treatment recommendations can be made based on the best-case scenario for each patient's condition.