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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos compensation, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

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

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos legal exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.

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

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos Case-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos litigation. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos attorney exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or observed through the naked eye, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.