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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos claim, which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients usually suffer from 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 are similar to those of digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos legal may occur as a result of military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos legal (his explanation) without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are often 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 including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.