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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to Asbestos Case regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heaviness.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not 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 type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos compensation through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos compensation or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos litigation is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos case can occur through military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including 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. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see 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 of the tumor, the 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 to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.