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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos legal in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos case.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos litigation exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos law exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos lawyer for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos (helpful site) exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.