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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military may be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

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

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos litigation through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos lawsuit and carry stray asbestos legal fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes 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 pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos compensation, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.