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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos case (go to this website) are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos claim. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can 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 to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos lawyer fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and 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.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.