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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time 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 the lining (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos law in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos claim. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these fields, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos lawsuit exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to Asbestos legal and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing 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 recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.