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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos Case on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at a higher risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos lawsuit to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent 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 has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos lawyer exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused 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 a longer time and work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer 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 goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

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

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.