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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

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

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos legal in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos case without having directly worked with it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos lawyer. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes, or other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to Asbestos case and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.