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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos case is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos case. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at an especially high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

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

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos - speaking of - but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos lawyer exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.