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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types 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 form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to Asbestos Case (Ssglanders.Fan) through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos compensation. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos lawyer but didn't work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as 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 develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.