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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and 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 frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find 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 determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. asbestos legal - linked web page - particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop 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 is just as harmful as direct asbestos lawsuit exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember 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 work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. 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 that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. asbestos litigation fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.