Be On The Lookout For: How Mesothelioma Caused By Smoking Is Taking Over And What To Do

Mesothelioma Caused by Smoking

Mesothelioma develops in linings that are narrow around certain organs and cavities. It is most often found in pleura or the peritoneum.

Smoking can introduce carcinogens into the lung. Asbestos exposure can also damage lung tissue, and smoking combined with asbestos may increase a person's risk causes of mesothelioma developing mesothelioma. Smoking also can worsen pleural mesothelioma symptoms and make treatment more difficult.

Increased Risk of Lung Cancer

Many people diagnosed with lung cancer have smoked cigarettes at some time in their lives. Smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of developing lung cancer due to direct effects on the lungs, as well as through indirect mechanisms, like increasing inflammation and lowering the body's ability to repair damage to the lung.

Smoking does not increase your chances of developing mesothelioma. This is an uncommon cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include difficulty breathing due to swelling of the pleural space. As with lung cancer, mesothelioma's symptoms are not typically curable. Doctors instead focus on controlling symptoms and improve the quality of life.

If doctors suspect mesothelioma they will conduct a physical exam and order imaging scans to determine any abnormalities. A lung X-ray and CT scan can help determine the area of any fluid build-up. If the doctor discovers an area that is causing concern, they'll employ a biopsy procedure to examine the tissues and determine if mesothelioma or another disease is the reason for the symptoms.

A person's mesothelioma treatment depends on the stage of cancer they are in and other factors, including their general health and their preference for treatment. If the mesothelioma is a cancer caused by what is at an advanced stage that can be surgically removed, the symptoms may be reduced or eliminated. If it's in a non-resectable state doctors can prescribe chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to kill any cancer cells the surgeon could not detect.

Some patients choose to take part in clinical trials to increase their chances of finding a cure for mesothelioma. This option isn't accessible to everyone suffering from mesothelioma, but it's worth talking with your doctor about the options available to you.

Heart Disease: Increased Risk

The most common location for mesothelioma's development is in the tissue that covers your lungs. It can also be found in less often, the lining of your abdomen. It may also begin in the lining of your chest wall or the heart. Your prognosis will be determined by the type of mesothelioma you have.

A chest X-ray may reveal changes in the pleura or information in the space between your lungs and chest wall, such as the pleura becoming thicker or calcium deposits, which may indicate peritoneal mesothelioma not caused by asbestos. A CT scan can be more precise and reveal if the mesothelioma spread to your lymphnodes. It will also reveal your mesothelioma kind, which is either epithelioid or sarcomatoid mesothelioma causes.

Your doctor may be required to take a sample of pleural or abdominal tissue to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. A biopsy is done by removing a tumor, or some of the surrounding tissue using surgery or a needle guided with a CT scan. The tissue is mesothelioma only caused by asbestos then examined under a microscope for mesothelioma.

In addition to these tests, the doctor will also order blood tests and a chest MRI scan or CT scan. They will look for indications of mesothelioma as well as other conditions like pneumonia and inflammatory bowel disease. They will also assess your heart health and check how your kidneys and information liver are working.

Mesothelioma is a common occurrence among asbestos workers, and usually develops after a long period of exposure. Pipefitters, welders, and insulation are among the workers at risk. If you or a loved one has worked with asbestos, consult your doctor about the risk of mesothelioma. They will be able to discuss your risk factors and give you information about how to maintain your health.

Increased Risk of Asthma

Smoking tobacco can aggravate asthma symptoms.