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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos case types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

This type of cancer usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the 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. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread use of Asbestos Legal in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a 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 worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. 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 professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not work 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 developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos claim. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like 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 longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos law fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying 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 may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins, or 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 diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

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