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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos lawsuit exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is Asbestos Case exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. asbestos lawyer particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

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

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. 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 goes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

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

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.