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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heavyness.

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

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos attorney to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than 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. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since 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 an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.