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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast 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 such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require 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 one of these fields however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. 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 risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos claim may occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos lawsuit for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order 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 imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel through 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 and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.