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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos law in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.

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

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. asbestos lawyer particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos claim before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos Case-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.