Cancers that are more prevalent among those with HIV/AIDS include

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a illness of the immune process caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is transmitted from individual to individual most often in blood & bodily secretions (such as semen). A person with HIV is highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions because HIV severely weakens the body's immune process. When HIV infection causes signs & specific illness syndromes, the illness is called AIDS.

About HIV/AIDS

About HIV/AIDS-related cancer

People with HIV/AIDS have a high risk of developing definite cancers, such as Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, & cervical cancer (see below). For people with HIV, these cancers are often called �AIDS-defining conditions,� meaning that if a person with an HIV infection has of these cancers it can signify the development of AIDS.

Kaposi sarcoma

The connection between HIV/AIDS & definite cancers is not understood, but the link likely depends on a weakened immune process. Most types of cancer start when normal cells change & grow uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body). The kinds of cancer most common for people with HIV/AIDS are described in more detail below.

HIV/AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma causes lesions to arise in over area of the body, including the skin, lymph nodes, & organs such as the liver, spleen, lungs, & digestive tract. Learn more about Kaposi sarcoma.

Kaposi sarcoma is a kind of skin cancer that has historicallyin the past occurred in older men of Jewish or Mediterranean descent, young men in Africa, or individuals who have had organ transplantation. Today, Kaposi sarcoma is found most often in gay men with HIV/AIDS & is related to an infection with the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Kaposi sarcoma in people with HIV is often called epidemic Kaposi sarcoma.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer of the lymph technique. Lymphoma begins when cells in the lymph technique change and grow uncontrollably, which may form a tumor. The lymph technique is made up of narrow tubes that branch to all parts of the body. Its job is to fight infection. The lymph technique carries lymph, a colorless liquid containing white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes fight germs in the body. Groups of little, bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes can be found throughout the body at different sites in the lymph technique. Lymph nodes are present in clusters in the abdomen, groin, pelvis, underarms, and neck. Other parts of the lymph technique include the spleen, which makes lymphocytes and filters blood; the thymus, an organ under the breastbone; and the tonsils, located in the throat.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

There's lots of different subtypes of NHL. The most common subtypes of NHL in people with HIV/AIDS are primary central nervous technique lymphoma (affecting the brain and spinal liquid), primary effusion lymphoma (causing liquid to build up around the lungs or in the abdomen), or intermediate and high-grade lymphoma. Learn more about non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Cervical cancer

Ladies with HIV/AIDS have a higher risk of developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), a precancerous growth of cells in the cervix that is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. High-grade CIN can turn in to invasive cervical cancer. Learn more about cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer starts in a woman's cervix, the lower, narrow part of the uterus. The uterus holds the growing fetus in the work of pregnancy. The cervix connects the lower part of the uterus to the vagina and, with the vagina, forms the birth canal. Cervical cancer is also called cancer of the cervix.

Other, less common types of cancer that may create in people with HIV/AIDS are Hodgkin lymphoma, angiosarcoma (a kind of cancer that begins in the lining of the blood vessels), anal cancer, liver cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, colorectal cancer, and types of skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Other types of cancer

Find out more about basic cancer terms used in this section.

There's two main types of mesothelioma Where you can get mesothelioma

Where you can get mesothelioma

There's two main types of mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma starts in the sheets of tissue that cover the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma grows in the tissue lining the inside of the abdomen (tummy). Pleural mesothelioma is much more common than peritoneal mesothelioma.

  Mesothelioma in the covering of the lung (pleural mesothelioma)
  Mesothelioma in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma)

Pleural mesothelioma is much more common than peritoneal mesothelioma.

Asbestos & Cancer being Exposed to Asbestos Increases Your Cancer Risk

Studies concluded that asbestos could contribute to cancer, leading to the Environmental Protection Agency's ban of asbestos in 1989, though the government began regulating its use in the 1970s. Although asbestos is no longer used in the same capacity as it one time was, it may still stay in older homes and buildings. Although it may be present in some building structures today, it becomes a hazard when these buildings undergo remodelling or demolition -- when the areas that contain asbestos are disturbed and fibers are released in the air.

Asbestos is a group of fibrous minerals that were one time often used in construction and industrial materials. High tensile strength and extreme resistance to heat and chemicals were highly sought in industrial projects, and asbestos on condition that in lots of capacities.

Not all types of asbestos are associated with cancer, however. The size, shape, and chemical composition of an asbestos fiber determines the way it affects your health. Long, narrow fibers are more likely to be deposited deep in to the lungs, while shorter, wider fiber particles are less likely to invade the lungs but still may cause adverse health effects.
Health Effects of Asbestos Exposure
Serious health risks are associated with exposure to asbestos. Exposure primarily affects the lungs, leading to scarring of the lungs, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Some studies recommend that exposure may be related to the development of throat cancer, colon cancer, and possibly other cancers,
The scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis, is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. This is a non-cancerous lung illness that causes extreme shortness of breath. The illness cannot be cured; however, signs can be managed.

The health effects of asbestos exposure are not immediate. There is a period of about twenty to 30 years before signs began to present themselves. Those with significant exposure may benefit from having regular chest x-rays and other diagnostic tests to monitor for any changes within the lungs.

Lung cancer is another concern for those who have been exposed to asbestos. Those who are exposed are in danger of both small-cell carcinoma and non-small-cell carcinoma. The risk of developing lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos is greatly increased in smokers, although non-smokers are still in danger.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of aggressive cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. This type of cancer affects the mesothelium, the membrane that lines each of the body cavities. About two,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S. each year.
Who is Most at Risk of an Asbestos-Related Illness?
The workplace was one time a common place for some workers to be exposed to asbestos. Occupations that carried the most risk of being exposed to asbestos are:

  miners
  shipyard workers
  automotive workers, those who manufactured brake linings and clutches
  railway workers
  insulation manufacturers and installers
  construction workers
  gas mask manufacturers
  firefighters
  demolition workers

Relatives members of workers are thought have a little increased risk of developing an asbestos-related illness. Asbestos fibers may have collected on the clothing in the work of the workday and might have been inhaled by children and spouses when the worker came home each day.

In the event you think you may be in danger of an asbestos-related illness, talk to your doctor about your risk. Together, you can make a choice regarding your health and feasible preventative steps and/or screening methods that may be obtainable to you.

How asbestos causes mesothelioma

Microscopic asbestos fibers are breathed in or swallowed. The human body has difficulty destroying or getting rid of these fibers. Over decades, the fibers cause biological changes that lead to inflammation, scarring and genetic damage. The most susceptible area to these fibers is the lining of the lungs, called the pleura, although fibers can also become trapped in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). One time fibers cause biological damage, the stage is set for a 20- to 50-year latency period for mesothelioma to create.

Mesothelioma cancer develops after exposure to asbestos, which most often occurs in the workplace �in industrial settings, shipyards, auto repair shops, elderly houses, schools and public buildings. It takes long-term exposure to make somebody in danger, but heavy, short-term asbestos exposure has been known to cause mesothelioma cancer.

the exact causes of mesothelioma

Through studies aimed at pinpointing the exact causes of mesothelioma, researchers gradually learned how being exposed to asbestos triggers cancer.

Mesothelioma - a cancer that usually assaults the lungs & abdomen - was profoundly rare until the industrial & commercial use of asbestos expanded in the 20th century. Medical researchers have spent decades inquiring in to the illness & what causes it, & their findings are that asbestos exposure is the primary culprit.

In March 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer reconfirmed that all forms of asbestos may cause mesothelioma - & asbestos exposure is the foremost cause of mesothelioma.

What is the treatment of Malignant Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is difficult to treat. The cancer can spread easily to nearby organs. If the tumor has spread, it is nearly impossible to remove the entire tumor surgically. In addition, it has been difficult to test the effectiveness of different treatments because there are relatively few cases of malignant mesothelioma.

The primary treatment options for malignant mesothelioma are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery

Before any surgery is considered for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, your overall health has to be evaluated. Tests are done to make sure the cancer has not spread to distant sites and to evaluate how well your lungs and heart are functioning. Lung tests look for any signs of lung damage from tobacco or from other diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These tests determine how risky surgery would be, especially if a lung needs to be removed.

Surgery for malignant mesothelioma can be aimed at long-term control of the cancer (aggressive surgery) or relief of symptoms (palliative procedures).

Aggressive surgery

A procedure called extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removal of the pleura, the lung, the diaphragm and the pericardium. The intent of this very aggressive, complicated surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Not all centers will do this procedure because it is so complex and because it carries a high risk of death within 30 days after surgery. This procedure typically is done only in younger patients who are in good overall health with stage I disease. Patients are evaluated carefully to determine their ability to tolerate the surgery.

Palliative procedures

When malignant mesothelioma is advanced, palliative procedures can be done to relieve or control symptoms such as breathlessness, which are caused by fluid or by the tumor pressing on the lung or other organs. These procedures do not cure the disease.

A procedure called thoracentesis can be used to treat fluid collection (effusion) in pleural mesothelioma. A needle is inserted into the chest to drain the fluid, relieving breathlessness and pain. Talc may be injected into the pleural space to try to stop fluid from accumulating there. This procedure is called talc pleurodesis. Similar procedures are used to relieve fluid collection (ascites) in peritoneal mesothelioma (paracentesis).

A procedure called pleurectomy and decortication is the surgical removal of the pleura. This procedure can be done to reduce pain caused by the tumor or to prevent the fluid from accumulating. For peritoneal mesothelioma, surgery generally is aimed at relieving symptoms.

Radiation Therapy

Because of the location of malignant mesothelioma, it is extremely difficult to deliver high enough doses of radiation to kill the tumor without damaging the surrounding organs. Lower doses of radiation can help to shrink the tumor, but it is unclear whether this helps people to survive longer than if they were not treated.

Using radiation thera...

What are the symptoms of Malignant Mesothelioma?

About 90% of people who are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma have chest pain or shortness of breath as the first symptoms of the disease. These symptoms can be caused either by the cancer itself, which irritates nerve cells in nearby tissues, or by a collection of fluid between the two layers of the pleura in the chest. This collection of fluid is called a pleural effusion. People with mesothelioma that develops in the abdominal lining can have abdominal pain and swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Other possible symptoms include cough, fatigue and unexplained weight loss.