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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind 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 is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos claim in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

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

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos case (more..) through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos settlement exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like 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 to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart 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. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. asbestos compensation fibers, too small to detect or feel with 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 which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

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

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.