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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

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

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos case (just click the next article)-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos claim to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. 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 time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos lawyer, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos legal for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

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

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.